Isaiah 9:12

Isaiah 9:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

King James Version KJV

The 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.

American Standard Version ASV

the 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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Aram 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.

Free Bible Version FBV

Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have greedily swallowed Israel up. In all of this he is still angry and his hand is still raised.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Aram before and the Philistims behinde, and they shall deuoure Israel with open mouth: yet for all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Aram 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.

World English Bible WEB

The Syrians in front, and the Philistines behind; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

The 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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

The 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.

Translation for Translators T4T

The army of Syria came from the east, and the army of Philistia came from the west, and they destroyed Israel like a wild animal tears another animal apart and [MET] devours it. But even after that happened, Yahweh was still very angry with them. He was ready to strike them with his fist again.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 9:12

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 9:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/הָ/עָ֥ם לֹא שָׁ֖ב עַד הַ/מַּכֵּ֑/הוּ וְ/אֶת יְהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת לֹ֥א דָרָֽשׁוּ

וְ/הָ/עָ֥ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Conj | Art | N-ms

לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part

שָׁ֖ב shûwb H7725 to return V-Qal-Perf-3ms

עַד ʻad H5704 till Prep

הַ/מַּכֵּ֑/הוּ nâkâh H5221 to smite Art | V-Hiphil | Suff

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

צְבָא֖וֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 army N-cp

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Part

דָרָֽשׁוּ dârash H1875 to seek V-Qal-Perf-3cp

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 9:12

וְ/הָ/עָ֥ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Conj | Art | N-ms

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

שָׁ֖ב shûwb H7725 "to return" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.

Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back

Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.

עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep

This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.

Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.

הַ/מַּכֵּ֑/הוּ nâkâh H5221 "to smite" Art | V-Hiphil | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.

Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)

Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

צְבָא֖וֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 "army" N-cp

This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.

Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service

Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

דָרָֽשׁוּ dârash H1875 "to seek" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

To seek or ask is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often used to describe seeking God or worshiping him. It can also mean to investigate or enquire about something.

Definition: 1) to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place) 1a2) to consult, enquire of, seek 1a2a) of God 1a2b) of heathen gods, necromancers 1a3) to seek deity in prayer and worship 1a3a) God 1a3b) heathen deities 1a4) to seek (with a demand), demand, require 1a5) to investigate, enquire 1a6) to ask for, require, demand 1a7) to practice, study, follow, seek with application 1a8) to seek with care, care for 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (only of God) 1b2) to be sought, be sought out 1b3) to be required (of blood)

Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: ask, [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 9:5; Ezra 10:16; Psalms 9:11.

Study Notes — Isaiah 9:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 9:12 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 9:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 9:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 9:12
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 9:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 9:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 9:12
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 9:12
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 9:12
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 9:12
Sermons on Isaiah 9:12

Context — Judgment against Israel’s Pride

10“The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with finished stone; the sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” 11The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him and joined his enemies together.

12Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

13But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts. 14So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 5:25	Therefore the anger of the LORD burns against His people; His hand is raised against them to strike them down. The mountains quake, and the corpses lay like refuse in the streets. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
2	2 Chronicles 28:18	The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages.
3	Psalms 79:7	for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.
4	2 Kings 16:6	At that time Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram, drove out the men of Judah, and sent the Edomites into Elath, where they live to this day.
5	Isaiah 9:21	Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
6	Isaiah 10:4	Nothing will remain but to crouch among the captives or fall among the slain. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
7	Jeremiah 10:25	Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, and on the families that do not call on Your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have consumed him and finished him off; they have devastated his homeland.
8	Isaiah 9:17	Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
9	Jeremiah 4:8	So put on sackcloth, mourn and wail, for the fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us.”
10	Psalms 129:3–6	The plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long. The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow,

Isaiah 9:12 Summary

This verse tells us that even though Israel was being attacked by other countries, God was still angry with them because they had not turned back to Him. It's like when a child disobeys their parents and then gets hurt, the parents are still sad and upset with them, even if someone else caused the hurt. God's hand is still upraised, meaning He is still ready to act in judgment, as we see in other parts of the Bible, like Isaiah 5:25. This reminds us that God is a holy and just God who wants us to obey Him and turn to Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does God's anger not turn away despite Israel's suffering at the hands of Aram and Philistia?

God's anger is not turned away because Israel has not repented and turned back to Him, as seen in Isaiah 9:13, and also because His judgment is not based on immediate circumstances, but on the overall condition of the heart, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 29:29.

What does it mean that God's hand is still upraised?

God's hand being upraised signifies that His judgment and wrath are still impending, and that He is still ready to act in judgment, as also mentioned in Isaiah 5:25, where His hand is stretched out against His people.

How can Israel be devoured by both Aram and Philistia if God is their protector?

Israel's devouring by Aram and Philistia is a result of God's judgment, as stated in Isaiah 9:11, where the Lord raises up their foes against them, showing that even their enemies are under God's sovereignty, as seen in Exodus 4:21-22.

Is this verse relevant to the New Testament and the life of a Christian today?

Yes, this verse reminds us that God is a holy and just God who demands repentance and obedience, principles that are still applicable today, as seen in Romans 11:22, where we are warned to note the kindness and severity of God.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which I have ignored God's warnings and invitations to repentance, and how can I turn back to Him today?
In what ways am I, like Israel, trying to solve my problems through my own strength and resources, rather than seeking God's help and guidance?
How does the image of God's hand being upraised impact my understanding of His character and my relationship with Him?
What are some areas in my life where I need to acknowledge God's sovereignty and submit to His will, even if it's difficult or uncomfortable?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 9:12

The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind,.... Rezin, king of Syria, the confederate of the Israelites, being slain, his people joined the Assyrians against Israel; and they, with others

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 9:12

The 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. The Syrians before - the Syrians on the Northeast.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 9:12

The Syrians; for although Rezin king of Syria was destroyed, yet the body of the nation survived, and submitted themselves to the king of Assyria, and served under him in his wars, and upon his command invaded Israel afterwards. Before, Heb. on the east; for Syria stood eastward from Israel. The Philistines behind; on the western side of the land of Israel. With open mouth; like wild and furious beasts, with great greediness and cruelty. His hand is stretched out still; his justice is not fully satisfied, but he will yet take further vengeance upon them.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 9:12

Isaiah 9:12 The 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.Ver. 12. The Syrians before.] Under the conduct of the Assyrian, who hath slain their King Rezin, and made them his vassals. And the Philistines behind.] Or from the west - westward. And they shall devour Israel with open mouth.] The enemies of God’ s people are more savage and ravenous than wild beasts. Hence they are called in Scripture boars, bears, lions, leopards, unicorns, tigers, wolves, &c. Let us therefore bless us out of their bloody jaws, which having escaped, let us sing, "Blessed be God, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth." The poor Indians cried out that it had been better their country had been given to the devils of hell than to those cruel Spaniards. For all this his wrath is not turned away.] He still frowneth, and hath his hand up to smite, as angry people use to do.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 9:12

(12) For all this his anger is not turned away . . .—The formula which in Isaiah 5:25 had been applied to Judah is here and in Isaiah 9:17; Isaiah 9:21 used of Israel at large, and specially of Ephraim. It embodied the law which governed God’s dealing with both.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 9:12

Verse 12. With open mouth - "On every side"] בכל פה bechol peh, in every corner, in every part of their country, pursuing them to the remotest extremities, and the most retired parts. So the Chaldee בכל אתר bechol athar, in every place.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 9:12

12. The Syrians … behind] Or, Syria on the East and the Philistines on the West (R.V. marg.). and they shall devour] and they devoured. There is no historic record of Philistine aggression on the kingdom of Ephraim (at least since 1 Kings 15:27); nor is there any mention of a Syrian attack about the time when this passage was written. It is probable that the prophet is looking further back, to the protracted Syrian wars, from Ahab to Jeroboam II., which formed a distinct and memorable episode in the history of N. Israel. For all this … stretched out still] “One of the most effective refrain-verses that have ever been composed.” (Duhm.) The figure of Jehovah, with His arm stretched out in wrath, is kept before the mind of the reader, as the prophecy advances to its conclusion.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 9:12

The Syrians - Isaiah 7:1. The Syrians had been the allies of the Israelites. But after the death of Rezin, it is probable that they joined the Assyrians, and united with them in the invasion of Samaria. - Aben Ezra; Grotius.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 9:12

12. The Syrians before — All enemies to Israel were to be combined: Syria (as above explained) on the north, fighting now as subjects of Assyria; and the Philistines on the southwest. With open mouth — The figure is strong.

Sermons on Isaiah 9:12

	Sermon	Description
	Fearing God and Heeding His Word by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith warns about the enticing and pleasant nature of sin, but emphasizes that it ultimately leads to barrenness, captivity, misery, despair, and darkn
	When Victory Is Impossible by Keith Daniel	In this sermon, the speaker shares his experiences of preaching in New Zealand and meeting a family named Lois and Barry Jordan. He emphasizes the importance of feeding our minds w
	Ger-05 Israel's Predicament by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the issue of God's glory and his governance over creation. He shares a personal experience of visiting a plant where F-16 fighter bombers ar
	(The Word for Today) Isaiah 5:11 - Part 2 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith continues his study of the book of Isaiah, specifically focusing on chapter 5, verse 11. He highlights the complaint of the prophet, who observes
	Exposition on Psalm 80 by St. Augustine	St. Augustine preaches on the Psalms, focusing on the Advent of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the symbolism of the vineyard representing Christ and the Church. He delves in
	(Isaiah) the Glory of the Messiah’s Reign by David Guzik	In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of unfairness and exploitation in society. He condemns those who take advantage of the weak and vulnerable, such as the poor, widow
	The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes by John Wesley	John Wesley addresses the terrifying reality of earthquakes as divine judgments from God, emphasizing that they serve as a reminder of human sinfulness and the need for repentance.