Isaiah 9:2 kjv
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Isaiah 9:2 nkjv
The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
Isaiah 9:2 niv
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:2 esv
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
Isaiah 9:2 nlt
The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
Isaiah 9 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 8:22-9:1 | ...distress and darkness, gloom of anguish... | Isa 8:22 |
| Luke 1:79 | ...to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. | Luke 1:79 |
| Luke 2:32 | a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. | Luke 2:32 |
| John 1:5 | The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. | John 1:5 |
| John 1:9 | The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. | John 1:9 |
| John 8:12 | Then Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” | John 8:12 |
| John 9:5 | As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. | John 9:5 |
| John 12:46 | I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. | John 12:46 |
| Acts 26:18 | ...to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. | Acts 26:18 |
| Eph 5:8 | ...for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. | Eph 5:8 |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. | 1 Pet 2:9 |
| Psa 107:10-11 | Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in misery and irons, because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. | Psa 107:10 |
| Psa 107:14 | He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bonds in sunder. | Psa 107:14 |
| Zech 14:6-7 | On that day there shall be no light, but the world of daylight and the frost. And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night; but at evening time there shall be light. | Zech 14:6 |
| Mal 4:2 | But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. | Mal 4:2 |
| Matt 4:15-16 | The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the country and shadow of death, on them light has dawned. | Matt 4:15 |
| Rev 21:23-24 | And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God illuminates it, and its Lamb is its light. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. | Rev 21:23 |
| Jer 2:6 | ... nor who said, ‘Where is the Lord?’... | Jer 2:6 |
| Eze 28:3 | “Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hid from you;" | Eze 28:3 |
| Hab 2:14 | For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. | Hab 2:14 |
Isaiah 9 verses
Isaiah 9 2 Meaning
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those dwelling in the land of the shadow of death, upon them light has dawned. This verse describes a transition from spiritual and physical oppression to hope and deliverance brought by the coming of the light, which is understood as the Messiah.
Isaiah 9 2 Context
Isaiah 9:1-7 is a prophecy delivered during a time of significant political and spiritual turmoil for the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often referred to as Ephraim or the Ten Tribes) and the Kingdom of Judah. Specifically, this chapter follows an Assyrian invasion and the loss of territory. The Assyrians, a brutal empire, had captured cities in Galilee, a region in the north. The people were living under oppressive conditions, facing war, hardship, and a sense of hopelessness. The prophecy begins by highlighting this dire situation of "darkness and gloom." This sets the stage for the radical hope offered by the coming of a special child. The subsequent verses speak of deliverance and joy that will arise from this new leadership.
Isaiah 9 2 Word Analysis
- וְ֙’ ’‘
‘’ôr-’‘¬ ’‘ôr: "nevertheless, the gloom will not be such as was her anguish" (the full phrase is "nevudah al tizrʿal". The first part "nevudah" (from nevurah) can mean darkness/gloom, and the second part "al tizrʿal" means "shall not have gloom," indicating a lifted burden. Self-correction: "nevudah" means "gloom/dimness". The text in Isaiah 9:2 is "nevuy" not "nevudah". "Nevuy" means darkness/gloom. So the analysis should be "nevuy" is darkness/gloom. - רְוִי ’¬ ”‘¬ ("haravoh"): "the deep gloom".
- ’‘r ‘‘‘‘‘ ’¬ ¬”’ ”‘’ ¬ ("eretz tzlalmut"): "land of shadow of death." This is a vivid metaphor for a place or condition of extreme oppression, despair, and lack of life or hope. The "shadow of death" suggests being in the very presence of death, but not yet dead, implying lingering suffering and hopelessness.
- ’‘r ‘r¬ – ‘r ’‘‘‘‘ – ("or gadol"): "great light." This refers to a significant and transformative event or presence.
- ¬ ‘r ’‘‘‘‘ ("maroeh goyim"): "visions for nations" or "sight for nations". In some translations, this is rendered as "great light." It signifies a new way of seeing and understanding, a revelation that extends beyond a particular nation.
- ’‘‘ ‘‘ ’‘‘ ‘‘ ("roeh or"): "seeing the light."
- ‘ ”‘’ ("heʿir al"): "has shone upon." The perfect tense suggests a completed action, the arrival of the light has already happened or is definitively declared.
- ’‘‘ ’ ("bamo"): "upon them."
Isaiah 9 2 Bonus Section
The imagery of light overcoming darkness is a pervasive theme throughout Scripture. This verse foreshadows Christ’s ultimate victory over sin and death. The "shadow of death" can also represent spiritual ignorance and the absence of God's presence, from which the Messiah liberates humanity. The Galilean region mentioned in the preceding verse was indeed where Jesus began much of His ministry, thus fulfilling this prophecy geographically as well as spiritually. The prophet's message was a radical beacon of hope to a people on the brink of despair.
Isaiah 9 2 Commentary
Isaiah 9:2 announces the arrival of a profound shift from profound darkness to brilliant light. This light is not merely physical illumination but signifies divine intervention, hope, and salvation. It pierces the deep gloom and the shadow of death, implying the eradication of despair and the lifting of oppressive forces. The "great light" is understood by Christians to be the birth and ministry of Jesus Christ, who declared Himself the Light of the World. This verse offers a message of ultimate deliverance from spiritual and physical bondage, bringing life and salvation to those trapped in the darkest circumstances.