Isaiah 8 9

Isaiah 8:9 kjv

Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

Isaiah 8:9 nkjv

"Be shattered, O you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Give ear, all you from far countries. Gird yourselves, but be broken in pieces; Gird yourselves, but be broken in pieces.

Isaiah 8:9 niv

Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle, and be shattered!

Isaiah 8:9 esv

Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered; give ear, all you far countries; strap on your armor and be shattered; strap on your armor and be shattered.

Isaiah 8:9 nlt

"Huddle together, you nations, and be terrified.
Listen, all you distant lands.
Prepare for battle, but you will be crushed!
Yes, prepare for battle, but you will be crushed!

Isaiah 8 verses

Isaiah 8 9 Meaning

The verse declares that the nations ("all of you") will be shattered and overcome, despite their powerful attempts to unite and resist. Their plans will be rendered useless, and destruction will ultimately prevail. This speaks of divine judgment against those who oppose God and His people.

Isaiah 8 9 Context

This verse is situated in Isaiah chapter 8, a critical section where the prophet is giving a message of warning and impending judgment to Judah, particularly King Ahaz. Judah is facing threats from the allied nations of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Syria. Instead of relying on God, Ahaz is seeking alliances with Assyria. Isaiah is commanded to make the prophecies visible and public, using a large tablet. This verse, specifically, directly follows God's pronouncement in verse 8, "and pass over Judah; he is come even unto Aiath, he is passed unto Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages." This implies that the powerful confederacy (Israel and Syria) is on the move, advancing into Judah's territory. Isaiah's message to Judah is that even though this powerful alliance is coming against them, their strength and unity will be broken and they will be defeated.

Isaiah 8 9 Word Analysis

• Hithpaltelu (הִתְפַּלְּצוּ):
  • Root: פלץ (palats)
  • Meaning: To tremble, to be agitated, to be in anguish.
  • Analysis: This verb, in the Niphal conjugation (often reflexive or passive), suggests a violent internal disturbance. It's more than just fear; it implies a convulsive, powerful reaction. The repetition emphasizes the intensity and certainty of this coming distress.
• ū-bôsě’û (וּבֹ֫שְׂעוּ):
  • Root: בשע (basah) or בשש (basas)
  • Meaning: To be put to shame, to be disgraced, to be ruined, to be rendered ineffective.
  • Analysis: This signifies a state of utter failure and humiliation. The plans and strength of the nations will not only be thwarted but will lead to their disgrace.
• lāhem (לָהֶם):
  • Meaning: To them.
  • Analysis: Clearly indicates that the judgment and shame are directed at the nations referred to previously.
• Səḍû (שְׂד֫וּ):
  • Root: שׂדד (sadad)
  • Meaning: To devastate, to lay waste, to ravage, to plot against.
  • Analysis: This verb in the Hiphil conjugation (causative) suggests acting powerfully and destructively. It's an active plotting and carrying out of destruction against the enemy. The repetition here, just like with "hithpaltelu," amplifies the severity and finality of the impending doom.
• Yē‘âṯ (יֵ֫עַ")}:
  • Root: עלל (alal) or possibly related to שׂדד (sadad) with similar meaning of desolation.
  • Meaning: Rendered useless, made void, frustrated.
  • Analysis: This emphasizes the futility of the nations' efforts. Their aggressive actions will lead to no success.
• bāṭḥû (בִּטְחוּ):
  • Root: בטח (batah)
  • Meaning: Trust, rely upon, feel secure.
  • Analysis: This is an imperative form. The verse is instructing or foretelling that these nations will try to rely on their own strength or alliances, but their trust will be misplaced.
• mēlîḵā (מְלָכֶם):
  • Meaning: Your counsel, your plans, your decision.
  • Analysis: Refers to the strategic decisions and plans formulated by the nations.
• šěmû‘û (שְׁמְעוּ):
  • Root: שׁמע (shama)
  • Meaning: Hear, listen.
  • Analysis: This is an imperative, urging them to hear this divine decree.

Group Analysis:The repeated imperative commands and the parallel structure ("Gird yourselves, and be broken; gird yourselves, and be broken") create a powerful, rhythmic prophecy. The action of "girding yourselves" (preparing for battle, asserting strength) is met with an equally emphatic and inevitable consequence: "be broken" and "be ruined/made void." This reinforces the absolute sovereignty of God and the certainty of His judgment against rebellious nations, making it clear that human preparation and counsel are utterly insufficient when set against God's will.

Isaiah 8 9 Bonus Section

The Hebrew repetition in this verse serves a significant rhetorical purpose, intensifying the prophecy and imprinting it upon the listener's mind. This literary technique is common in prophetic literature to convey the certainty and urgency of God's message. The verse’s implication extends beyond the immediate historical context to a timeless principle: any alliance or power bloc that militates against God's plan will ultimately be shattered. The assurance that "God is with us" (Isa 8:10), directly following this, provides the foundational reason for this impending defeat of the enemy.

Isaiah 8 9 Commentary

This verse is a stark declaration of divine judgment upon nations that plot against God and His people. The repeated emphasis on "gird yourselves, and be broken" signifies that any effort or strength they muster will ultimately lead to their undoing. Their preparations will result not in victory, but in devastation. The futility of their counsel and their trust in earthly power will lead only to shame and ruin. This is a powerful affirmation of God's sovereignty and His ability to frustrate the plans of the mightiest empires, especially when they oppose His purposes.