Isaiah 9:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed in one day—

NIV: So the LORD will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day;

NASB: So the Lord cuts off head and tail from Israel, Both palm branch and bulrush in a single day.

CSB: So the Lord cut off Israel's head and tail, palm branch and reed in a single day.

NLT: Therefore, in a single day the Lord will destroy both the head and the tail, the noble palm branch and the lowly reed.

KJV: Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.

NKJV: Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel, Palm branch and bulrush in one day.

Isaiah speaks prophetically, as if looking back on something God has already accomplished. The Lord will send painful judgment on His people, Israel, in the form of nations who will devour them (Isaiah 9:11–12). That destruction will be painful and humiliating, but it will not humble the people of Jacob. Even this destruction will not be enough to cause them to turn the Lord for help (Isaiah 9:13).

In response, the Lord will wipe out the leaders who have failed to direct the people back into relationship with Him. He will cut off from Israel both ends of their leadership, the highest and lowest. And this will happen incredibly quickly. In other words, Israel will have no time to consider its options. They will be at a loss spiritually and practically. This judgment will come all at once and without warning.

Isaiah 9:8–21 returns to describing the judgment coming upon Israel in Isaiah's time. Despite the arrogance of the people, the enemies of their allies will devour them. When the people do not repent, the Lord will wipe out their leaders. He will have no compassion for the sinful people in every level of society. Wickedness burns through the people like a wildfire, turning human lives into fuel. Sinfulness causes people to devour each other and even themselves in trying to satisfy sin's appetite. The Lord will judge Israel for all of it.

Isaiah 9 begins prophecy about a future when darkness will be lifted from Israel. The nation will be free, prosperous, and at permanent peace. This will happen because God will send a child who will become a king on David's throne. More than a man, this king will be called Mighty God and Prince of Peace and will rule forever. In Isaiah's day, though, God's judgment will soon fall on Israel. He will wipe out their leaders. Wickedness burns through the nation like fire.

Isaiah 9 begins with what may be the conclusion of the previous chapter. Isaiah 8 ended with the description of the darkness experienced by those in Israel who reject the Lord. The prophet describes a day in Israel's far future when the gloom will lift and glory will return. A child will become king of Israel, but He will also be the Everlasting Father who will rule forever. However, In Isaiah's time, the Lord will judge Israel with destruction from other nations. The following chapter pronounces disaster for the people who persist in sin.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 4/27/2024 8:21:07 PM