Keraia
Isaiah 9

Isaiah 9:1

Unto Us a Child Is Born · Isaiah 9:1–7
Read Isaiah 9

Translations

Modern
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
Traditional
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
Literal
But there is no gloom for the one who is in distress herself. In an earlier time He treated lightly the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
Latin
Primo tempore alleviata est terra Zabulon et terra Nephthali: et novissimo aggravata est via maris trans Jordanem Galilææ gentium.

Original

Hebrew
English
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:

Notes

Isaiah 9:1

  • Zebulun and Naphtali were northern tribes in Israel (Judges 6:35). The Assyrian invaders, led by Tiglath-pileser III, humbled them in 734 and 732 BC. During the lifetime of Jesus, people connected this prophecy to his coming out from Galilee (Matthew 4:14–16).

  • Galilee of the Gentiles was the area of Israel between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. The surrounding Gentile nations heavily influenced it culturally, religiously, and politically.

Isaiah 9:1–7

After judgment and destruction, there would still be hope. God promised that the Messiah (God’s chosen one) would come and rule.

In the Messiah’s kingdom, darkness would end and great light would begin. This light would first appear in Galilee. Then it would spread to the whole nation of Israel and finally to the whole world.

The Messiah would defend those who suffer and are treated unfairly. He would bring an end to cruelty and injustice. He would rule with justice (what is right and fair) and righteousness (living in a right way before God). His kingdom would be a kingdom of peace, and it would last forever.

Isaiah 7:1–12:6

These prophecies occurred when Assyria rose to power. Syria and Israel formed an alliance against Judah (Isaiah 7:1–2; see 2 Kings 16:5). God used Assyria as a tool to punish Syria, Israel, and Judah (Isaiah 7–10).

Events

Parallels

Matthew 4:12–17 Mark 1:14–15 Luke 4:14–15

People

Naphtali: Son of Jacob, founder of the tribe of Naphtali Zebulun: Israelite tribe, son of Jacob and Leah

Places

Galilee: Region in northern Israel; key location in Jesus' ministry Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history

Glossary

Foreknowledge Galilee Isaiah, Book of Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Morning Star Palestine Pekah Prophet, Prophetess Redeemer, Redemption Travel Tribe of Naphtali

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: God Regulates the Measure of Afflictions Afflictions: God Regulates the Measure of Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Galilee: Christ: Preaching In, Predicted Galilee: The Northern District of Palestine: Called Galilee of the Nations Galilee: The Northern District of Palestine: Prophecy Concerning Galilee: Upper Part of, Called Galilee of the Gentiles Gentiles: Called: Nations Gentiles: Prophecies of the Conversion of Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Universality of the Kingdom of Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Ministry Commencing in Galilee Quotations and Allusions in the New Testament From, and To, the Old Testament the Tribe of Naphtali: Specially Favoured by Our Lord's Ministry the Tribe of Zebulun: Country of, Blessed with the Presence and Instruction of Tribe of Naphtali: Prophecies Concerning Tribe of Zebulun: Conquest of, by Tiglath-Pileser; Carried Away to Assyria Into Captivity