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Isaiah 9:4
ESV For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
NIV For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
NASB For You will break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
CSB For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as you did on the day of Midian.
NLT For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
KJV For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
NKJV For You have broken the yoke of his burden And the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, As in the day of Midian.

What does Isaiah 9:4 mean?

Isaiah is describing in past tense Israel's glorious future. This is when the Lord will return the light to their dark land and give them reason for joy. At that time, they will live in both abundance and security. Rejoicing will become normal again (Isaiah 9:2–3).

How will the Lord do this for His people? He will free them from their enemies, for one. The Assyrians are said to have boasted about placing yokes on the necks of the people that they conquered. This was to further humiliate those under their control. A yoke was a kind of heavy harness placed on oxen and other animals. This device enabled a farmer to control and drive the animals to work for him. Isaiah has prophesied that Israel and Judah would soon come under the yoke of oppression.

In this future time of glory, however, the Lord will shatter the enemy yoke, their staff, and their rod. The Lord will break every weapon and means of control Israel's enemies could use against them.

Isaiah's first readers must have pictured the irresistible might of the Assyrian army and wondered how such a thing could possibly be true. His mention of the day of Midian is meant to remind them of the story of Gideon in Judges 6–7. The Lord insisted on reducing the size of Gideon's army. He reduced it until it was so small that nobody could make the mistake of thinking the victory came from anyone but the Lord. He will do the same again, and this time it will be once and for all.
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