Isaiah Chapter 9 · Verse 12

Authorized King James Version

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The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Original Language Analysis

אֲרָ֣ם The Syrians H758
אֲרָ֣ם The Syrians
Strong's: H758
Word #: 1 of 17
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
מִקֶּ֗דֶם before H6924
מִקֶּ֗דֶם before
Strong's: H6924
Word #: 2 of 17
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
וּפְלִשְׁתִּים֙ and the Philistines H6430
וּפְלִשְׁתִּים֙ and the Philistines
Strong's: H6430
Word #: 3 of 17
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
מֵֽאָח֔וֹר behind H268
מֵֽאָח֔וֹר behind
Strong's: H268
Word #: 4 of 17
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
וַיֹּאכְל֥וּ and they shall devour H398
וַיֹּאכְל֥וּ and they shall devour
Strong's: H398
Word #: 5 of 17
to eat (literally or figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 7 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 8 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פֶּ֑ה with open mouth H6310
פֶּ֑ה with open mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 9 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זֹאת֙ H2063
זֹאת֙
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 11 of 17
this (often used adverb)
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁ֣ב is not turned away H7725
שָׁ֣ב is not turned away
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 13 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אַפּ֔וֹ For all this his anger H639
אַפּ֔וֹ For all this his anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וְע֖וֹד H5750
וְע֖וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 15 of 17
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
יָד֥וֹ but his hand H3027
יָד֥וֹ but his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 16 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
נְטוּיָֽה׃ is stretched out still H5186
נְטוּיָֽה׃ is stretched out still
Strong's: H5186
Word #: 17 of 17
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

Cross References

Isaiah 5:25Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.2 Chronicles 28:18The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.Psalms 79:7For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.2 Kings 16:6At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.Isaiah 9:17Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Isaiah 9:21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Isaiah 10:4Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Jeremiah 10:25Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

Analysis & Commentary

The judgment comes from all directions: 'Syrians before' (east) and 'Philistines behind' (west), indicating comprehensive encirclement. 'They shall devour Israel with open mouth' depicts ravenous enemies consuming the nation. The phrase 'For all this' introduces a refrain (repeated in verses 13, 17, 21, 10:4) emphasizing persistent rebellion. 'His anger is not turned away' indicates God's wrath continues unabated. 'His hand is stretched out still' portrays ongoing, active judgment. Despite escalating discipline, the people remain impenitent, necessitating further judgment.

Historical Context

Fulfilled as Israel faced simultaneous threats from multiple enemies. Syria attacked from the northeast, Philistines raided from the southwest, and ultimately Assyria invaded from the north. Historical records confirm Israel suffered these multi-front attacks during its final decades (750-722 BC). The repeated refrain emphasizes God's patience in sending progressive judgments, hoping for repentance, yet ultimately bringing complete destruction when impenitence persisted.

Questions for Reflection