Isaiah 9:21 kjv
Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Isaiah 9:21 nkjv
Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; Together they shall be against Judah. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.
Isaiah 9:21 niv
Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh; together they will turn against Judah. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.
Isaiah 9:21 esv
Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim devours Manasseh; together they are against Judah. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.
Isaiah 9:21 nlt
Manasseh will feed on Ephraim,
Ephraim will feed on Manasseh,
and both will devour Judah.
But even then the LORD's anger will not be satisfied.
His fist is still poised to strike.
Isaiah 9 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 9:21 | For the people, their sustenance is consumed by each other, husband devours husband; they eat the flesh of their own offspring; yea, they eat the flesh of their own kindred, and their own limbs. | Isa 5:14, Jer 19:9, Lam 4:10, Ezek 5:10, Deut 28:53-57, Jer 31:27, Jer 32:24, Ezek 3:15, Isa 49:26, Jer 50:37, Ezek 39:18, Rev 17:16, Hosea 1:6-7, Isa 9:11-20 (context), Deut 32:36, Deut 28:43-44, Jer 14:17-18, Lam 2:20, Ezek 14:21, Micah 3:3 |
| Isa 9:21 | For the people, their sustenance is consumed by each other, husband devours husband; they eat the flesh of their own offspring; yea, they eat the flesh of their own kindred, and their own limbs. | Isa 5:14 (Woe to them, and what they will do), Jer 19:9 (devour flesh of sons and daughters), Lam 4:10 (women cooking their own children), Ezek 5:10 (devour their own children), Deut 28:53-57 (famine leading to cannibalism), Jer 31:27 (reaping and sowing, families scattered), Jer 32:24 (siege works of enemies), Ezek 3:15 (sitting stunned for seven days), Isa 49:26 (feeding oppressors with their own flesh), Jer 50:37 (drawing swords against their neighbors), Ezek 39:18 (eating flesh of mighty men), Rev 17:16 (nations consuming the harlot) |
| Isa 9:21 | For the people, their sustenance is consumed by each other, husband devours husband; they eat the flesh of their own offspring; yea, they eat the flesh of their own kindred, and their own limbs. | Hosea 1:6-7 (judgment on Israel, no mercy), Isa 9:11-20 (overall context of judgment and encroaching darkness for Israel and Ephraim), Deut 32:36 (God's vengeance), Deut 28:43-44 (enemies dominating, not being able to lend), Jer 14:17-18 (utter devastation and mourning), Lam 2:20 (eating their fruit in the temple), Ezek 14:21 (sending plagues and famine), Micah 3:3 (eating flesh of my people) |
Isaiah 9 verses
Isaiah 9 21 Meaning
This verse describes a horrific situation where people are driven to cannibalism due to extreme famine. It paints a bleak picture of utter desperation, where familial bonds and natural revulsion are overcome by the primal need for survival. The verse highlights the devastating consequences of sin and judgment upon a people.
Isaiah 9 21 Context
This verse is found in Isaiah chapter 9, which prophesies the downfall and judgment of Israel, particularly the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often referred to as Ephraim or Samaria) and Judah. The chapter details impending Assyrian aggression and the ensuing devastation. The verses leading up to chapter 9, verses 8-21, describe specific judgments. Isaiah 9:21 vividly portrays the utter ruin and societal collapse that will result from this judgment, highlighting the extreme suffering of a people under siege and famine, so desperate that they resort to consuming one another.
Isaiah 9 21 Word Analysis
- וְאָכַל (v'-
akhal): "and eats/will eat". From the root אכל (akhal`), meaning to eat. Here it emphasizes the continued, dreadful action of consuming flesh. - אִישׁ (
ish): "man", "husband". Refers to individual men and specifically in the context of familial relations, husbands. - אֶת (
et): "with", "by". Indicates the instrument or means by which something is done. - רֵעֵהוּ (rē
-ēhu): "his neighbor", "his fellow", "his friend". Denotes fellow humans, the communal aspect that is destroyed. - וְאָכַל (v'-`akhal): "and eats/will eat". Repetition emphasizes the pervasive nature of the horror.
- בָּשָׂר (bā`śār): "flesh", "meat", "body". The literal flesh of human beings.
- בְּנֹו (bə-nōv`): "his son", "his child". Denotes offspring, the deepest familial tie, made a victim.
- וּבְסָר (uvə-sār`): "and flesh". Explicitly stating flesh again, stressing the horrifying meal.
- שְׁאֵר (shə-ʾēr`): "kinsman", "relative", "flesh". Refers to blood relatives, emphasizing the violation of familial bonds.
- וּבְשָׂר (uvə-sār`): "and flesh". Another repetition for emphasis.
- מֵיוֹלַדְתּוֹ (mê-yōladtōv`): "those born of her", "those delivered from her". Refers to offspring or those close to birth, again pointing to the deepest relationships.
- וּבָנָיו (uvā-nāv`): "and his children".
- וּבְנוֹתָיו (uvə-nōtā v`): "and his daughters".
- וְאָכַל (v'-
akhal): "and eats/will eat". Final instance of the word. - יָמָיו (yā-māvv`): "his days". Referring to one's life or generation.
- וּבִכְיֵי (uvik-hīyyêv`): "and his wounds", "his sore". Possibly implying consuming even the wounded parts or those suffering greatly.
- יַדְלִיא (yad-lī`): "from his hand" or possibly "with his own hands."
- שְׁאֵר (shə-ʾēr`): "kinsman", "relative".
- קְרוֹבוֹ (qə-rōvō`): "his kinsman", "his near relative".
Group analysis
- Man devours man, neighbor his neighbor: This highlights the breakdown of all social order and natural affection. Every person is a potential meal for another.
- Eating of their own offspring, kindred, and limbs: This emphasizes the absolute depth of desperation, where the most cherished bonds and even one's own body parts are consumed for survival. It signifies a complete inversion of natural humanity and divine order.
Isaiah 9 21 Bonus Section
The prophecy of cannibalism in times of extreme famine is a recurring theme in the Old Testament as a sign of God's ultimate judgment. It signifies not just physical starvation, but also a spiritual starvation where the very foundations of humanity and society are devoured. Jesus references a similar desperation in the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:7, mentioning famine as a sign of distress preceding His return. The ultimate fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 find their expression in such dire predictions. The breakdown of community and self-preservation depicted here stands in stark contrast to the New Testament's emphasis on love, community, and God's provision.
Isaiah 9 21 Commentary
This verse paints a chilling picture of utter desolation. It serves as a potent symbol of God's severe judgment when His people abandon Him and His ways. The prophecy serves as a stark warning against disobedience, demonstrating the horrific consequences of national sin that lead to societal breakdown and extreme suffering, including the loss of natural humanity. It underscores that God's justice, while ultimately merciful, can also be terrible when rebellion is met with judgment. The intensity of the description, focusing on familial cannibalism, leaves no doubt about the severity of the impending disaster.