Prophecy

New Testament Fulfillment/Interpretation & Notes

^ESV Isaiah 9:1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

Thanks to Handel’s Messiah, this passage in Isaiah 9 is one of the best known of all Messianic Prophecies. Surprisingly, however, there is only one passage in the New Testament that definitively quotes it: Matthew 4:12-17. Another passage that clearly alludes to it is Luke 1:76-79. The Isaiah 9 prophecy continues the theme of the “Immanuel Child” first mentioned in Isaiah 7:14.

The geographical area described by Isaiah in 9:1 refers to the northern most territory of Israel. It was this area (see map) that was allotted to the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali when the children of Israel entered the promised land (Joshua 19:10-16, 32-39). It was already referred to as “Galilee” in Joshua’s time (Joshua 20:7), and continued to be known by this name down to the time of Jesus.

Unlike the historical setting of the prophecy in Isaiah 7, this one is difficult to date with precision. Most commentators hold that Isaiah proclaimed this prophecy soon after the one in chapter 7.

To what does the “gloom” and “anguish” and “contempt” of the land of Zebulun and Naphtali refer? Both physical and spiritual devastation. Because these two tribes were near the northern border of Israel, they often bore the brunt of Gentile invasions and were devastated by war. For the same reason, many Gentiles lived among them, and they often fell into idolatry or compromised their faith. Examples of invasions in which the area of Galilee was conquered are found in 1 Kings 15:16-22, 2 Kings 10:32-33, 2 Kings 13:22-25. Finally, during the reign of Pekah in 733-734 BC, the Assyrian King Tiglath-Peleser III conquered Galilee and carried its citizens captive to Assyria (2 Kings 15:29-31. Isaiah probably referred to this last invasion in Isaiah 9:1.

^ESV Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. ³ You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

Matthew understood the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1-2 to be the very beginning of Christ’s Ministry as described in Matthew 4:12-17 (rather than his birth). However, see also Luke 1:76-79.

There are three different Hebrew words for darkness used in 9:1-2 to show Galilee’s anguish: @['Wm (mû±¹p) “gloom”; %v,xo (µœshek) “darkness”; tw<m'l.c; (ƒalm¹wet) “deep darkness,” which is the same word used in Psalm 23:4, where it is translated “shadow of death.”

“You have multiplied the nation” – The “nation” [yAG (gôy)] referred to is Israel, that is, all of God’s people. When the Hebrew word for nation is in the plural (gôyim) usually the “Gentiles” or non-Jewish nations are meant, as in the phrase “Galilee of the nations” in 9:1. Isaiah prophesies that in the Messianic age, God will have caused the population of his people to greatly increase.

“You have increased its joy…” – Isaiah uses two analogies to indicate the great joy the people will have when the Messiah appears: (1) the joy of harvest time (2) the rejoicing of a conquering army when they divide the spoils of the battle. Notice that the people will have joy “before you,” namely, before God. It will be a godly joy.

^ESV Isaiah 9:4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. ⁵ For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

“For the yoke with which they are burdened, the staff across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor, you shall shatter as in the day of Midian.”

“Yoke, “staff,” and “rod,” are all implements that captives of war or slaves have to wear or endure.

“As in the day of Midian” – This is a reference to God’s miraculous defeat of the enemy nation Midian through Gideon, as told in Judges 7. Midian had invaded and subjugated the northern tribes of Israel for seven years (See a description of their tyranny over Israel in Judges 6:1-6). God’s victory over Israel’s enemies will be miraculous, just as was Gideon’s victory.

“For every boot of the tramping warrior . . . will be burned.” God will bring an end not only to the enemy armies but also will bring an end to all armies in the Messianic age, which is a common theme in the Old Testament concerning the Messianic age. See, for example, Isaiah 2:1-4.

^ESV Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

In Isaiah 9:6, we are told three things about the Messiah: (1) He will be human; (2) He will possess all authority; (3) He will be divine.

He will be human. That is the meaning of the phrases, “For a boy dl,y< (yeled) is born for us. A son !Be (b¢n) is given for us. This is the same child that was referred to in Isaiah 7:14ff. Note the emphasis on “for us.” (See Luke 2:11). He will possess all authority. That is the meaning of the sentence, “The government shall be upon his shoulder.” The word translated “government” here [hr'f.mi (mi´râ)] is better translated “domination,” “dominion” or “authority.” Rulers would sometimes wear a golden chain over their shoulders as a symbol of their authority. He will be divine. The five (or four) names by which the child will be called indicate that he will be God. He will be called (1) “Wonderful” [al,P, (pele°)] “Counselor” [#[;y" (y¹±aƒ)]. The Messiah will be the planner of a miracle or a miracle worker or a wonder of a counselor. See Judges 13:18 and Isaiah 28:29 as possible cross references. (2) “Mighty God” [rABGI lae (°¢l gibbôr)] (3) “Father of eternity [d[;ybia]] in the sense of “the one who possesses eternity.” (4) “Prince of Peace” [rf; ~Alv' ((´ar sh¹lôm) ]. See Luke 2:14, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:14.

The main point of Isaiah 9:7 is that the Child’s dominion, peace, and reign on the throne of David will be eternal, something that could only refer to the Messiah. Not with weapons or might, but with justice and righteousness shall his kingdom be established and upheld. See all the references to Christ’s righteousness and righteousness through faith in the New Testament (e.g., Romans 3:28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:4). It is Yahweh’s zeal and the ardor of his love that will accomplish all this.