Isaiah 9:20
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Isaiah 9:20
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:
Chapter Context
Isaiah 9 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of love, holiness, redemption. Written during the Assyrian and pre-exilic periods (c. 740-680 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Addressed Judah during Assyria's rise, Babylon's threat, and anticipated restoration.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-21: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Isaiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Isaiah 9:20
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:
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Isaiah 49:26