Isaiah 9:12
What does Isaiah 9:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 9:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 9:12 means
This verse details the specific enemies God will use to punish Israel, describing attacks from both sides: the "Syrians before" (from the east) and the "Philistines behind" (from the west). They will relentlessly "devour Israel with open mouth," signifying a widespread and devastating invasion that will consume the nation. The verse concludes with a somber refrain: "For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still." This emphasizes the unwavering and relentless nature of God's judgment, indicating that even these severe inflictions have not caused His wrath to subside, nor have they prompted Israel to repent.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000the 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901the 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Aram on the east, and the Philistines on the west, who have come against Israel with open mouths. For all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Aram from before, and Philistia from behind, And they devour Israel with the whole mouth. With all this not turned back hath His anger, And still His hand is stretched out.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Syrians from the east, and, the Philistines from the west: and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his indignation is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890the Syrians on the east, and the Philistines on the west; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.
Context
Building on the previous verse's declaration of God raising up adversaries, this verse identifies specific enemies and describes the destructive nature of their attacks. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment against Israel. This context is crucial because it provides concrete details of the divine punishment, reinforcing the persistent theme of God's unyielding anger despite the severe suffering inflicted upon His people, showing their continued unrepentance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 10:4
They shall only bow down under the prisoners, and shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
- Deuteronomy 31:17
Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come upon them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?
- Jeremiah 4:8
For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and wail; for the fierce anger of Jehovah is not turned back from us.
- Isaiah 9:21
Manasseh, 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 5:25
Therefore is the anger of Jehovah kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them; and the mountains tremble, and their dead bodies are as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
- 2 Chronicles 28:18
The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gederoth, and Soco with the towns thereof, and Timnah with the towns thereof, Gimzo also and the towns thereof: and they dwelt there.
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