Add parallel Print Page Options

Judgment on the Northern Kingdom[a]

The Lord has sent a word against Jacob,
    and it falls upon Israel;

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 9:7–20 + 5:25–30 These verses describe a series of judgments God sent against the Northern Kingdom of Israel because of its sins. Despite the judgments, however, Israel continued to rebel, and God’s anger remained unabated, as the recurring refrain emphasizes (9:11, 16, 20). The refrain ties Is 9:7–20 together as a unit, but 9:20 is far too abrupt to be the original conclusion to the oracle. With its series of past judgments and repeated refrain, the oracle resembles Am 4:6–12; by analogy with that model one expects a conclusion in which the prophet turns from the narration of past judgments to the announcement of a future judgment. Is 5:25–30 fits the pattern found in 9:7–20 and provides a suitable and possibly original conclusion for the whole oracle.

But he shall judge the poor with justice,
    and decide fairly for the land’s afflicted.(A)
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
    and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.(B)

Read full chapter

10 Who stops wars to the ends of the earth,
    breaks the bow, splinters the spear,
    and burns the shields with fire;(A)

Read full chapter

10 He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim,(A)
    and the horse from Jerusalem;
The warrior’s bow will be banished,
    and he will proclaim peace to the nations.(B)
His dominion will be from sea to sea,
    and from the River[a] to the ends of the earth.(C)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 9:10 The River: probably the Euphrates; see note on Ps 72:8.