Isaiah 9:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֹ֣ל
the yoke
H5923
עֹ֣ל
the yoke
Strong's:
H5923
Word #:
3 of 13
a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַטֵּ֣ה
and the staff
H4294
מַטֵּ֣ה
and the staff
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
6 of 13
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
שִׁכְמ֔וֹ
of his shoulder
H7926
שִׁכְמ֔וֹ
of his shoulder
Strong's:
H7926
Word #:
7 of 13
the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of a hill
שֵׁ֖בֶט
the rod
H7626
שֵׁ֖בֶט
the rod
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
8 of 13
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
הַנֹּגֵ֣שׂ
of his oppressor
H5065
הַנֹּגֵ֣שׂ
of his oppressor
Strong's:
H5065
Word #:
9 of 13
to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize
הַחִתֹּ֖תָ
For thou hast broken
H2865
הַחִתֹּ֖תָ
For thou hast broken
Strong's:
H2865
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
Cross References
Isaiah 14:25That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.Jeremiah 30:8For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:Nahum 1:13For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.Isaiah 54:14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.Isaiah 49:26And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.Genesis 27:40And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.Leviticus 26:13I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.Isaiah 10:5O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.Psalms 125:3For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.Isaiah 51:13And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
Historical Context
Immediately references deliverance from Assyrian oppression (fulfilled in 701 BC with Sennacherib's army's destruction). Ultimately fulfilled in Christ's victory over sin, Satan, and death. The Midianite comparison emphasizes supernatural deliverance—God alone gets glory. Early Christians understood this as Christ's defeat of spiritual oppressors through His death and resurrection. The 'day of Midian' became code for miraculous divine intervention requiring no human military effort.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'yokes' and 'rods' has Christ broken in your personal experience of salvation?
- How does the Midianite comparison teach us about depending on God's power rather than human strength?
- In what ways does Christ continue to break oppression and bring freedom today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The broken yoke, staff, and rod symbolize liberation from oppression. 'The yoke of his burden' represents slavery and subjugation. 'The staff of his shoulder' and 'rod of his oppressor' indicate instruments of cruel taskmastering. The comparison to 'Midian' recalls Gideon's miraculous deliverance (Judges 7) when God defeated vast armies with 300 men, demonstrating that salvation is the Lord's work alone. This illustrates the Reformed doctrine of sola gratia—salvation is entirely God's work, not human achievement. Christ breaks sin's yoke, Satan's rod, and death's staff.