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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE PROPHET ISAIAH

CHAPTER NINE:
A PRINCE OF PEACE AGAINST REBELS

Isaiah 9:1-3 – Light in Galilee

IS9:1 However, this obscurity will not be the same as when the land was oppressed 376 – as in the previous years when the land of Zebulun was treated with disrespect, nor the land of Naphtali that was treated with dishonor – the roadway by the sea in the Jordan area, Galilee of the nations. 377

376	This obscurity will not be the same as when the land was oppressed: Or, KJV: the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation; JPS: if there were to be any break of day for that land which is in straits; RHM there is no gloom to her who had been in anguish.

377	Galilee of the nations: Or, LXX: Galilee of the Gentiles. Much of verse 1 and 2 are quoted by Matthew 4:15, 16 and applied to the Galilean ministry of the Nazarene Master. Luke also alludes to the phrasing. [Luke 1:79]

IS9:2 The people who walked in darkness 378 have seen a wonderful light! 379 Those residing in a land of death’s shadow 380 have had a light shine upon them! 381 [Matthew 4:15, 16; Luke 1:79]

378	Walked in darkness: Or, LXX: walking in darkness.

379	A wonderful light: Or, KJV: great light; JPS: seen a brilliant light. Compare Luke 1:79; 2:32; John 1:9; 8:12]

380	A land of death’s shadow: Or, LXX: shadow of death; RHM: death-shadowed; JPS: land of gloom; NJB: a country in shadow dark as death. Almost an echo of Psalm 23:4. [Amos 5:8]

381	A light shine upon them: Or, NJB: light has blazed forth; JPS: light has dawned.

IS9:3 You have enlarged the nation, 382 increasing its joy. They rejoice before You just like the rejoicing at harvest-time, as soldiers who divide up the spoils of war. 383

382	Enlarged the nation: Or, RHM: increased the exultation; JPS: magnified that nation; KJV: multiplied the nation.

383	Soldiers who divide up the spoils of war: Or, KJV: divide the spoil; RHM: distribute spoil.

Isaiah 9:4-7 – Relief from the Prince of Peace

IS9:4 For as in the days of Midian 384 You have broken their burdensome yoke – the staff against their shoulders – the stick driving them –

384	Days of Midian: See Judges 8:12, 28. Midian is mentioned again at Isaiah 10:26.

IS9:5 every trampling boot shaking the ground in agitation, and the battle garments soaked in blood have become fuel for a fire. IS9:6 For a child 385 has been born to us. A child has been given to us. The government will be on his shoulders. 386 His name will be called Wondrous Counselor, 387 Mighty God, 388 Father throughout the Ages, 389 Prince of Peace. 390

385	Child: Or, NJB: son. Understood by the majority of Christians to mean the birth of Christ.

386

Government will be on his shoulders: Or, NJB: dominion has been laid on his shoulders; JPS: authority has settled on. The Hebrew for “government” here is MISRAH [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4951, rule, kingdom] while the Greek LXX uses ARKHE. Regarding Christ’s “government” see Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:19-22; Revelation 1:5. Christ began his Messianic rule upon his return to heaven in the year 33 AD. [1 Corinthians 15:23-28] For details on Christ’s Kingdom see notes on Matthew 13:40-42 and Revelation 11:15 or the book Nazarene Principles 2000© under the Third Principle.

387

Wondrous Counselor: Or, NJB: Wonder-Counsellor; KJV: Wonderful, Counsellor. The Jewish JPS omits this. The Hebrew name would be PELE-YA’ATS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #6382+3289, wonder, marvel; advise, consult, deliberate. [Compare Isaiah 11:2 and Zechariah 6:13. The Greek LXX readers differently here with a shorter and different name – MAGALES BOULES ANGELOS, that is “Angel of Great Counsel.” [LXX] This designation was quoted several times by early Church writers. The Greek name indicates that Christ was viewed as an “angel.” For more details see Isaiah 9:6 in the book Error of the Trinity.

388

Mighty God: Or, RHM: Mighty GOD [footnote: Heb.: el giibbor as in 10:21]; JPS: The Mighty God. The Hebrew combination would be GIBBOWR-EL [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1368-410, strong, mighty, brave, valiant; god, god-like, mighty one, angels]. For details on the designation “god” as a title for Christ see notes on John 1:1 and the book Error of the Trinity.

389

Father throughout the Ages: That is, “father throughout all future periods of time.” Or, KJV: The everlasting Father; NJB: Eternal-Father; JPS: The Eternal Father; RHM: Father of Futurity [footnote: “Father of progress”]. The Greek LXX omits this. The Hebrew would be EL-’AB [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5703-01, perpetuity, continuous future; head, founder, father of a people, patron of a class, term of respect]. Christ is described as a “brother” [though their Master and King] to his brothers. [Hebrews 2:10-13] However, the phrasing and circumstances of Isaiah and his three children suggests Christ is also something of a “father” to the Church. Most likely this may be a term of respect in view of what John 5:26. Jesus told his disciples, “for One is your father, the Celestial One.” [Matthew 23:9]

390

Prince of Peace: Or, LXX: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to him; RHM: Prince of Prosperity; JPS: a peaceable ruler. The Hebrew name would be SAR-SHALOWM [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #8269-7965, ruler, leader, chief, captain; soundness, welfare, safety, health, prosperity]. [Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 32:18] “Peace” is a major theme word of the Bible. [1 Corinthians 7:15; 14:33; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Galatians 6:16; Ephesians 2:14, 15, 17; 4:3; Colossians 1:20; 3:15; Hebrews 7:2]

IS9:7 There will never be an end to the increase of his dominion and its prosperity. 391 [He will rule] upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom 392 – making it firm and solid, 393 sustaining it with justice and righteousness 394 – from now on and throughout all future periods of time. 395 The zeal of Y^eH^oW^aH 396 of [angelic] armies will bring this about. 397

391

Never be an end to the increase of his dominion and its prosperity: Or, KJV: of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end; NJB: to extend his dominion in boundless peace; JPS: in token of abundant authority and of peace without limit; LXX: his government shall be great and of his peace there is no end. See Psalm 72 on the peace and prosperity of the Messiah’s reign. [Daniel 2:35, 44; 7:14, 27]

392	Throne of David and upon his kingdom: See Luke 1:32; Revelation 3:7.

393	Making it firm and solid: Or, LXX: support; JPS: firmly established; NJB: make it secure and sustain it; KJV: order it. [2 Samuel 7:16; Revelation 11:15]

394

Justice and righteousness: Or, KJV: judgment; NJB: judgement and integrity; JPS: justice and in equity; LXX: judgment; NJB: fair judgment. The banner of the Messiah is a reign of justice and righteousness to God-loving and peaceful beings throughout the realm. On the word “judgment” as a major theme word of the Bible see the Biblical Article God and Judgment. [Isaiah 42:1 = Matthew 12:18; Jeremiah 23:5] “Judgment” is one of the three key words to that which the spirit-helper would teach Christ’s disciples. [John 16:8]

395	Throughout all future periods of time: Or, LXX: for ever; RHM: unto times age-abiding; JPS: now and evermore. [Psalm 72:7]

396	Zeal of YeHoWaH: Or, NJB: jealous love of Yahweh; RHM: jealousy [footnote: “that mixture of hot honour and affection to which ‘jealousy’ in its good sense comes near.”]. The Hebrew is QIN’AH [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #7068].

397	Bring this about: Or, LXX: perform this; JPS: bring this to pass; NJB: will do this.

Isaiah 9:8-12 – A Word against Israel

IS9:8 A pronouncement 398 Y^eH^oW^aH has sent to Jacob, and it will fall on 399 Israel.

398	Pronouncement: Or, word.

399	Fall on: Or, alight on, fell on, lighted upon.

IS9:9 Everyone will know about it, including Ephraim 400 and those dwelling in Samaria – those who arrogantly and with a heart of insolence 401 keep saying:

400	Ephraim: That is, the northern ten-tribe kingdom of Israel.

401	Arrogantly and with a heart of insolence: Or, KJV: pride and stoutness of heart; NJB: pride of their arrogant hearts; JPS: arrogance and haughtiness; RHM: pride and insolence; LXX: lofty heart. [Proverbs 16:18; Malachi 3:15]

IS9:10 “Though bricks have collapsed, we will build again with stones from the quarry. Sycamores have been chopped down, but they will be replaced with great cedars.” IS9:11 Thus Y^eH^oW^aH will strengthen the enemy of Rezin against him. His adversaries will rise up – IS9:12 Syrians in front and Philistines in back. Just so they will swallow Israel with mouth wide open. Despite all of this His wrath has not abated, 402 though His hand still reaches out.

402	Wrath has not abated: A repeated phrase occurring elsewhere.

Isaiah 9:13-17 – Israel Cut Off

IS9:13 Despite this the people have not returned to the One striking them, 403 and they have not searched 404 for Y^eH^oW^aH of [angelic] armies.

403	Not return to the One striking them: Or, LXX: turned not until there were smitten; NJB: come back. [Hosea 7:2, 10]

404	Searched: Or, seek, sought. [Amos 4:6; 5:6] Compare Acts 17:26, 27.

IS9:14 So Y^eH^oW^aH has in one day cut off 405 from Israel both head and tail, branch and root.

405	Cut off: Or, took away.

IS9:15 The head is the elder and distinguished leader. 406 The tail is the prophet teaching falsehood. 407

406	Elder and distinguished leader: Or, KJV: ancient and honourable; NJB: man of rank; JPS: magnates; RHM: favourite; LXX: the old man, and them that respect persons. The LXX Greek is PRESBYTEN.

407

Prophet teaching falsehood: Or, LXX: teaching unlawful things; JPS: false instructions; NJB: teaching lies. The phrase indicates that the prophet was something of a teacher also. [1 Corinthians 12:28] A similar apostate occurs within the Christian Church. See notes on Mark 13:22; Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1.

IS9:16 Those who should have guided this people ahead 408 has kept causing them to go astray. 409 Those leaders will be devoured.

408

Guided this people ahead: Or, KJV: the leaders of this people cause them to err; NJB: leaders have led them astray; JPS: have been misleaders; RHM: they who should have led this people forward have been causing them to stray; LXX: they that pronounce this people blessed shall mislead them. See notes pm the previous phrase. In a similar manner the leaders of Christendom have also led them astray. See Jeremiah 23:15, 16, 26, 27.

409	To go astray: Or, mislead, stray, err. [Isaiah 3:12]

IS9:17 For this reason Y^eH^oW^aH will not rejoice in their vital young men, 410 or show any compassion for their orphans and widows. 411 For every one of them is irreverent and wicked, 412 every mouth speaks only senselessness. 413 Despite all of this His wrath has not abated, though His hand still reaches out.

410	Vital young men: Or, KJV: young men; NJB: young people; JPS: will not spare their youths;. It is a mistaken notion that God will forgive some just because they were young. [Psalm 5:4; 147:10]

411

Show any compassion for their orphans and widows: Or, pity, mercy. There comes a time when even such persons are beyond God’s mercy. The reason is given in the next verse. It should be understood this is in the context of these current events, and not with relation to the Last Judgment. [See the Biblical Article God and Judgment.]

412	Irreverent and wicked: Or, KJV: hypocrite and evildoer; NJB: godless and evil; JPS: ungodly and wicked; RHM: profane and an evildoer; LXX: transgressors and wicked.

413	Every mouth speaks only senselessness: Or, LXX: speaks unjustly; RHM: baseness; JPS: impiety; NJB: everything they say is madness; KJV: folly.

Isaiah 9:18-21 – YHWH’s Fury

IS9:18 For evil burns like a flame, 414 devouring cactus and thorns. Yes, it is kindled on forest brush, and they boil up like a plume of smoke.

414	Evil burns like a flame: Or, KJV: wickedness; RHM: lawlessness; LXX: iniquity. Likely a description in metaphor of the coming tragedy.

IS9:19 The land is consumed by the wrath of Y^eH^oW^aH of [angelic] armies, humans becoming fuel for fire. A person will have no compassion for a neighbor. 415

415	No compassion for a neighbor: Or, LXX: no man shall pity his brother; JPS: no man spared his countryman; NJB: no one spares a thought for his brother. [Micah 7:6]

IS9:20 One person will slay someone on the right, and yet wants more. One person has consumed on the left, but remains unsatisfied. Every one will eat the flesh of his own arm. IS9:21 Manasseh, Ephraim. Ephraim, Manasseh – all together against Judah. Despite all of this His wrath has not abated, though His hand still reaches out.