Devine Scripture

Isaiah 9:4

What does Isaiah 9:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 9:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 9:4 means

The Lord breaks the instruments of oppression that burdened His people, specifically mentioning their "yoke," "staff," and the "rod of his oppressor." This imagery vividly portrays liberation from foreign domination and harsh servitude. The comparison to "the day of Midian" recalls God's miraculous victory through Gideon, where a small, ill-equipped force decisively overcame a vastly superior enemy, emphasizing that this future deliverance will also be achieved by divine power rather than human might. It points to a complete freedom orchestrated by God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For by your hand the yoke on his neck and the rod on his back, even the rod of his cruel master, have been broken, as in the day of Midian.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Because the yoke of its burden, And the staff of its shoulder, the rod of its exactor, Thou hast broken as <FI>in<Fi> the day of Midian.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the yoke of their burden, and the rod of their shoulder, and the sceptre of their oppressor thou hast overcome, as in the day of Madian.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

This verse explains *why* the people's joy is so great, linking their celebration to God's direct intervention in breaking their oppressors' power. It elaborates on the deliverance implied by the "great light" and increased joy. This context is important because it shifts from the blessed state of the people to the divine action that brought it about, setting the stage for the even greater cause of their rejoicing: the birth of the Messiah.

v.3Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

v.4This passage

v.5For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Judges 6:1

    And the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah: and Jehovah delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

  • Judges 8:10

    Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the host of the children of the east; for there fell a hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

  • Genesis 27:40

    And by thy sword shalt thou live, and thou shalt serve thy brother; And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt break loose, That thou shalt shake his yoke from off thy neck.

  • Isaiah 14:3

    And it shall come to pass in the day that Jehovah shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy trouble, and from the hard service wherein thou wast made to serve,

  • Psalms 83:9

    Do thou unto them as unto Midian, As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the river Kishon;

  • Judges 7:22

    And they blew the three hundred trumpets, and Jehovah set every man’s sword against his fellow, and against all the host; and the host fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.

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