Isaiah 56:9 kjv
All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
Isaiah 56:9 nkjv
All you beasts of the field, come to devour, All you beasts in the forest.
Isaiah 56:9 niv
Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest!
Isaiah 56:9 esv
All you beasts of the field, come to devour ? all you beasts in the forest.
Isaiah 56:9 nlt
Come, wild animals of the field!
Come, wild animals of the forest!
Come and devour my people!
Isaiah 56 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 56:10 | "His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark..." | Direct continuation |
| Jeremiah 6:17 | "Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'" | Watchmen's duty to warn |
| Ezekiel 3:17 | "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel..." | God's appointment of watchmen |
| Ezekiel 33:6 | "...but if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet..." | Consequences of failure |
| Micah 3:11 | "Its heads give judgment for a bribe, its priests teach for a price, and its prophets divine for money..." | Corruption among leaders |
| Jeremiah 23:1,4 | "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!..." | False shepherds |
| Matthew 9:36 | "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." | Spiritual need of the people |
| 2 Peter 2:22 | "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing, to her wallowing in the mire." | Imagery of corrupted nature |
| Proverbs 26:11 | "Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly." | Repetition of sin/folly |
| Philippians 3:2 | "Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision." | Warning against deceptive people |
| John 10:12 | "He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees..." | Contrasting shepherds |
| Acts 20:29-30 | "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock..." | Internal threats to the church |
| 1 Corinthians 4:2 | "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." | Requirement of faithfulness |
| Galatians 6:10 | "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith." | Duty to the community |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour." | Spiritual watchfulness needed |
| Revelation 3:15-16 | "I know your works. You are neither cold nor hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." | Spiritual indifference |
| Ezekiel 13:10 | "Because, yes, because they have led my people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace..." | Deceptive peace pronouncements |
| Amos 5:10 | "They hate the one who reproves in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks truthfully." | Rejection of truth-telling |
| Haggai 2:11 | "Ask the priests a question about the law: 'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment..." | The sanctity of leadership |
| Jeremiah 12:6 | "For even your brothers, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they too have cried aloud behind you." | Treachery from within |
Isaiah 56 verses
Isaiah 56 9 Meaning
This verse warns against the spiritual lifelessness of the watchmen of Israel, who are described as blind and ignorant, unable to discern danger or speak with divine authority. They are driven by selfish desires, pursuing personal gain rather than faithfully guarding the people of God. Their constant pursuit is likened to a fruitless, insatiable greed, emphasizing their spiritual void and inability to lead or protect.
Isaiah 56 9 Context
Isaiah chapter 56 speaks to a post-exilic community in Jerusalem, where the returnees are rebuilding their nation and religious life. God, through Isaiah, addresses both the faithful remnant and the spiritually compromised leadership, particularly the watchmen appointed to guard the people. The previous verses in this chapter emphasize inclusion for foreigners and eunuchs who uphold God's covenant, highlighting a broader vision of God's kingdom. However, this verse starkly contrasts this inclusivity with the spiritual blindness and corrupt motives of the spiritual leaders, who have failed in their divine calling to protect and guide the people, instead serving their own selfish desires. The verse underscores the failure of these leaders to discern spiritual danger and their inability to prophetically proclaim God's word, acting more like silent, greedy dogs than faithful shepherds.
Isaiah 56 9 Word analysis
- "All": This repeated word ("they are all blind," "they are all without knowledge," "they are all silent dogs") emphasizes the pervasive and widespread nature of the spiritual decay among the watchmen. It suggests a systemic failure rather than isolated incidents.
- "Watchmen": (Hebrew: צֹפִים, tsophim) refers to sentinels or guards, metaphorically representing spiritual leaders responsible for the spiritual well-being and protection of God's people, akin to shepherds. This role includes alertness to danger and timely warnings.
- "Blind": (Hebrew: סִּמִּיִּם, siyyim) implies not merely physical blindness but spiritual insensitivity and ignorance. They lack the ability to perceive spiritual truths or the dangers threatening the community.
- "Without knowledge": (Hebrew: בְּלִי דַעַת, beli da'at) reinforces the lack of spiritual understanding. It signifies an absence of wisdom and discernment concerning God's will and the state of His people.
- "Dogs": (Hebrew: כְּלָבִים, kelevim) is a derogatory term in this context. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, dogs were often associated with uncleanliness, scavenging, and lack of control. Here, it depicts watchmen who are more interested in self-gratification than faithful service. The descriptor "silent" (Hebrew: אִלְּמִים, ill'mim) is crucial – they have no voice to warn or to speak God's truth.
- "Greedy": (Hebrew: בְּצַע, betzah) literally means "gain" or "profit." It points to insatiable greed and self-serving ambition. They are driven by personal enrichment rather than the flock's welfare.
- "Hungry": (Hebrew: רְעֵבִים, re'evim) portrays an unquenchable craving. It highlights a void within them that seeks satisfaction in worldly things rather than in God. This hunger is not for righteousness but for personal gain and gratification.
- "Cannot": (Hebrew: לֹא, lo) emphasizes the inability, not just unwillingness. Their spiritual deficiency renders them incapable of performing their divinely appointed tasks effectively.
- "Discern" / "Know": (Hebrew: לָדַעַת, lada'at) relates to knowing or understanding. They lack the fundamental knowledge and discernment required to protect the flock from spiritual threats.
Group Analysis:
- Blind and Without Knowledge: These phrases together depict a leadership class that is intellectually and spiritually bankrupt, unable to lead or protect. They have lost the divine discernment necessary for their role.
- Silent Dogs: This powerful image combines animalistic base instincts (greed, hunger) with a complete failure to perform a watchman's duty (barking a warning). They are characterized by their uselessness and self-absorption.
- Greedy and Hungry: The connection between "greedy" (pursuit of profit) and "hungry" (insatiable desire) signifies a relentless pursuit of worldly satisfaction at the expense of their spiritual responsibilities and the well-being of those they are meant to serve. They are driven by carnal appetites.
Isaiah 56 9 Bonus Section
The imagery of "silent dogs" is particularly potent, as dogs in ancient Near Eastern culture were often viewed with suspicion and associated with impurity. For the watchmen to be compared to them signifies their debased spiritual condition. Furthermore, their "hunger" and "greed" can be interpreted as a metaphor for spiritual idolatry—they worship their own desires and gain, rather than God and His people. This mirrors the prophetic critique of leaders who enriched themselves while neglecting the welfare of the populace, a theme that echoes throughout the prophetic books, calling for leaders who are servants rather than lords. This passage stands as a stark warning against spiritual apathy and self-serving leadership, highlighting the critical importance of true vigilance and faithfulness in those who are called to spiritual oversight. The failure of these watchmen contrasts sharply with the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).
Isaiah 56 9 Commentary
The watchmen of Israel, God's appointed leaders, are condemned for their profound spiritual incompetence and moral corruption. They are described as fundamentally blind, lacking divine knowledge, and thus incapable of identifying or warning against spiritual dangers. Their failure is likened to that of silent dogs that cannot bark—they are rendered ineffective and useless in their protective role. This negligence stems from their consuming self-interest; they are depicted as insatiably hungry and greedy, pursuing personal gain (profit) above all else. This greedy appetite consumes them, rendering them incapable of performing their duties of discernment and proclamation of truth. They are consumed by their own desires, failing to shepherd the flock of God with vigilance and integrity, mirroring false shepherds and mercenaries described elsewhere in scripture. Their spiritual emptiness makes them unable to guide, protect, or even feed the people of God.