Isaiah 63 9

Isaiah 63:9 kjv

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9 nkjv

In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9 niv

In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9 esv

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9 nlt

In all their suffering he also suffered,
and he personally rescued them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them.
He lifted them up and carried them
through all the years.

Isaiah 63 verses

Isaiah 63 9 Meaning

In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them, and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63 9 Context

This verse is the concluding part of Isaiah chapter 63, which depicts the prophet beholding God's mighty acts of judgment against His enemies. The chapter opens with a powerful vision of a warrior-like figure returning victorious from battle, stained with the blood of His adversaries. However, this verse shifts the focus from divine judgment to divine compassion and protective care. It's presented as a response to Israel's long history of trials, backsliding, and God's dealings with them. The prophet, reflecting on God's faithfulness, highlights God's intimate sharing in Israel's suffering, His personal intervention through an "Angel of His presence," and His unwavering love and consistent care throughout their history. The historical context is the post-exilic period or a reflection on the entire history of Israel from Egypt through the wilderness, emphasizing God's enduring relationship despite human failures.

Isaiah 63 9 Word analysis

• וּבְכֹל (u'v'chol) - "And in all". Conjunction 'and' connecting this statement to the preceding. "All" signifies completeness, encompassing every aspect.

• צָרָתָם (tzaratham) - "their affliction," "their distress," "their tribulation." This noun refers to hardship, pressure, or narrowness, describing the difficult circumstances experienced by God's people. The suffix "-am" indicates "their," referring to Israel.

• צַר (tzar) - "afflicted," "narrow," "pressed." Here it functions as a verb (Niphal participle, "he was afflicted"). This unusual statement emphasizes God's deep empathy and personal involvement in the suffering of His people.

• וּמַלְאַךְ (u'mal'akh) - "And the angel." "Mal'akh" means messenger or angel. The conjunction "and" continues the description of God's saving action.

• פָּנָיו (panav) - "His face," "His presence." "Panai" (faces) plural, indicating the totality of His presence or person. This points to a divine messenger uniquely associated with God's own countenance or presence.

• הוֹשִׁיעָם (hoshi'am) - "saved them." The verb root "yasha" (to save, deliver, help). The hiphil conjugation indicates causative action: "He caused them to be saved." The suffix "-am" is "them," referring to Israel.

• וּבְאַהֲבָתוֹ (u'v'ahavatho) - "And in His love." "Ahava" meaning love, affection, goodwill. The conjunction "and" connects this motive to His actions. The possessive suffix "-o" indicates "His love."

• וּבְחֶמְלָתוֹ (u'v'chemlatho) - "and in His pity," "and in His compassion." "Chemlah" meaning compassion, pity, mercy, often involving a feeling of tenderness for the weak or suffering. The possessive suffix "-o" indicates "His compassion."

• וַיְגָאֲלֵם (vaya'galem) - "and He redeemed them." The verb "ga'al" meaning to redeem, to ransom, to act as kinsman-redeemer. The waw consecutive perfect tense indicates a past completed action. The suffix "-em" is "them."

• וַיִּשָּׂאֵם (vayis'em) - "and He bore them." The verb root "nasa," meaning to lift, carry, bear, support. The waw consecutive perfect tense. The suffix "-em" is "them."

• וַיְגַּלְלֵם (vay'gal'lem) - "and He carried them," "and He rolled them." This word is debated. It likely comes from "galal," meaning to roll, roll up, or perhaps to revolve. Some see it as meaning to protectively enclose or support them. It signifies carrying with great care.

• כָּל־יְמֵי (kol-yemai) - "all the days of." Emphasizes the continuous nature of God's support.

• קֶדֶם (qedem) - "old time," "ancient times," "east." Referring to the very beginning, the distant past.

• God's empathetic suffering: The phrase "In all their affliction He was afflicted" expresses profound divine empathy, that God shares in the pain of His people.

• The Angel of His Presence: This designation signifies a unique divine messenger intimately representing God's being and presence, strongly pointing to the pre-incarnate Christ.

• Redemption through love and pity: God's acts of redemption are rooted not in human merit but in His inherent love and compassion, presented as the basis for His actions.

• Continuous bearing and carrying: The repetition of "bore them and carried them" underscores God's unwavering, lifelong sustenance and protection of His people from their origins.

Isaiah 63 9 Bonus section

The phrase "Angel of His presence" is significant because it distinguishes this messenger as carrying the very essence and authority of God. This isn't just any angel but one who is an embodiment of God's being among His people, leading them and safeguarding them, reflecting God's immanence. The Hebrew term "panai" (faces) used for presence emphasizes the totality of God's manifest being. The language of "bearing" and "carrying" (וַיִּשָּׂאֵם, וַיְגַלְלֵם) uses strong imagery of consistent, attentive support, akin to a parent carrying a child, underscoring the tenderness and faithfulness in God's dealings. The verse serves as a foundational statement for understanding God's character throughout biblical history.

Isaiah 63 9 Commentary

This verse beautifully encapsulates the tender, protective, and deeply empathetic nature of God toward His people. It highlights that God is not an indifferent observer of our struggles but intimately feels our pain. The "Angel of His presence" is a powerful manifestation of God's personal intervention and salvation, distinct from mere angelic assistance, and is often understood in Christian theology as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. The verse underscores that redemption and sustained care are expressions of God's unmerited love and pity, not a reward for Israel's actions. It's a promise of constant support, a divine promise to carry His people through all their days.