Isaiah 9:20
And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּגְזֹ֤ר
And he shall snatch
H1504
וַיִּגְזֹ֤ר
And he shall snatch
Strong's:
H1504
Word #:
1 of 13
to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָמִין֙
on the right hand
H3225
יָמִין֙
on the right hand
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
3 of 13
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שְׂמֹ֖אול
on the left hand
H8040
שְׂמֹ֖אול
on the left hand
Strong's:
H8040
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׂבֵ֑עוּ
and they shall not be satisfied
H7646
שָׂבֵ֑עוּ
and they shall not be satisfied
Strong's:
H7646
Word #:
9 of 13
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
אִ֥ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּשַׂר
the flesh
H1320
בְּשַׂר
the flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
11 of 13
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
Historical Context
Literally fulfilled during Samaria's siege (2 Kings 6:28-29 describes cannibalism during an earlier Syrian siege, prefiguring worse under Assyria). Siege warfare regularly produced such horrors in ancient Near East. Josephus records similar atrocities during Jerusalem's AD 70 siege. Lamentations 4:10 confirms cannibalism during Jerusalem's 586 BC siege. These unspeakable acts vindicate God's judgment—societies that reject Him descend to unimaginable depravity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this extreme imagery illustrate humanity's capacity for evil when restraining grace is removed?
- What does the insatiable hunger represent spiritually for those who seek satisfaction apart from God?
- How do we maintain human dignity and morality when societies around us descend into chaos?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The horror intensifies: desperate hunger leads to cannibalism. 'Snatch on the right hand' and 'eat on the left' suggest frantic, indiscriminate consumption—they devour anything available. 'Eat every man the flesh of his own arm' is likely metaphorical for self-destruction and possibly literal for siege cannibalism. 'They shall not be satisfied' indicates insatiable hunger—both physical and spiritual. This represents the ultimate degradation—humanity reduced to beast-like savagery through abandoning God.