Isaiah 9:3 kjv
Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Isaiah 9:3 nkjv
You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Isaiah 9:3 niv
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
Isaiah 9:3 esv
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
Isaiah 9:3 nlt
You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
Isaiah 9 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 9:3 | You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy. | Direct fulfillment of the prophecy |
| Isa 9:2 | The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. | Sets the scene for this verse's outcome |
| Isa 60:1-3 | Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. | Echoes the concept of a multiplied nation |
| Jer 33:7-9 | I will restore... them... and they shall be my people... | Prophecy of national restoration and joy |
| Jer 30:19 | Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving and the voice of merrymakers. | Links national increase with joy |
| Hosea 1:10 | "It shall come about that in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' it shall be said to them, 'You are sons of the living God.'" | God's redemptive plan for Israel |
| Amos 9:11-15 | "In that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David which has fallen." | Foretells restoration and expansion |
| Acts 2:39 | "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off..." | Connects prophecy to the church |
| Acts 15:15-17 | "...so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord..." | Gentiles brought into God's people |
| Eph 2:11-22 | Christ Jesus, by his blood, has made us near... | Unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ |
| Gal 3:28-29 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek... you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Spiritual multiplication of God's people |
| Rev 5:9 | "Worthy are you to take the scroll... for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." | Universal salvation and multiplied nation |
| Rev 7:9 | A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. | Ultimate fulfillment of national increase |
| John 4:35-36 | "...rejoice together, that the sower may rejoice also with the reaper." | Harvest imagery for spiritual labor |
| Psalm 126:5-6 | Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy. | Links sowing and reaping with great joy |
| Psalm 4:7 | You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. | Joy found in God's presence |
| Deut 16:13-15 | "You shall keep the Feast of Booths seven days... and you shall rejoice." | Harvest festival associated with joy |
| Jer 31:13 | Then shall the virgin rejoice in dance, and the young men and the old together. | Celebration and rejoicing within the redeemed |
| Isaiah 25:6-9 | The Lord will prepare a feast... and he will swallow up death forever. | Ultimate eschatological joy |
| Luke 15:10 | "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." | Joy over salvation in the spiritual realm |
Isaiah 9 verses
Isaiah 9 3 Meaning
You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with great joy at the harvest, as when people divide the spoil.
Isaiah 9 3 Context
Chapter 9 of Isaiah transitions from the immediate historical context of Assyrian oppression and darkness for northern Israel to a profound prophetic vision of future redemption. Verse 3 builds upon the promise of increased light (verse 2) by describing the resulting expansion and joy of the people of God. This verse speaks of a revitalized and multiplied nation experiencing unparalleled gladness, drawing parallels to the joyous celebrations of a bountiful harvest or the division of spoils from victory. It foreshadows a time of immense national growth and overwhelming spiritual joy, a theme that permeates much of Isaiah's prophecy.
Isaiah 9 3 Word Analysis
- "You": Refers to God, highlighting His direct agency in this future work of restoration and multiplication.
- "have multiplied": From Hebrew "rabah" (רָבָה), meaning to be or become great, numerous, abundant. It signifies an increase in number, scope, and influence.
- "the nation": Refers to God's people, Israel, but in this prophetic context, it extends to a redeemed people encompassing all nations.
- "and": Conjunction indicating a seamless connection between the multiplication of the nation and the increase of joy.
- "increased": From Hebrew "gadal" (גָדַל), meaning to grow up, be large, become great, increase. It emphasizes a significant and substantial augmentation.
- "its joy": From Hebrew "śimchah" (שִׂמְחָה), denoting gladness, joy, delight, cheerfulness. It signifies profound emotional happiness and celebration.
- "they": Refers back to "the nation" that has been multiplied and whose joy has increased.
- "rejoice": From Hebrew "suś" (שׂוּשׂ), meaning to exult, be glad, rejoice greatly. It signifies an active expression of great happiness.
- "before you": Indicates that this joy is experienced in the presence of God, acknowledging His work and goodness.
- "as with great joy": A comparative phrase amplifying the magnitude of the rejoicing, from Hebrew "śimchah gadowl" (שִׂמְחָה גָּדוֹל).
- "at the harvest": A simile referencing the seasonal festivals celebrating the successful gathering of crops, a time of abundant provision and communal gladness.
- "as when": Introduces a second, reinforcing simile.
- "people divide the spoil": Evokes imagery of victory and prosperity, where abundant resources are distributed among the victors, leading to widespread celebration and satisfaction.
Isaiah 9 3 Bonus Section
The comparison to harvest joy highlights themes of God's provision and the fruitfulness of His kingdom. The spoil division imagery signifies victory over enemies and abundant blessing. Both images suggest a fulfillment of promises made to Abraham regarding descendants and inheritance. The "you" refers to God, specifically in the context of the Messiah, who brings about this new era. The repeated emphasis on "joy" (śimchah, śuş) underscores that the coming kingdom is characterized by profound gladness, not just material prosperity or numerical growth. This verse's vision is ultimately realized in the spiritual growth of the Church, comprising believers from every nation, who rejoice in Christ, the ultimate spoil of victory.
Isaiah 9 3 Commentary
Isaiah 9:3 vividly portrays a future era of unparalleled expansion and ecstatic joy for God's people. The verse paints a picture of a nation that has not only grown significantly in numbers but is also experiencing a deep, abiding, and demonstrative happiness. This joy is presented as being directly related to God's redemptive action and is expressed in terms reminiscent of peak human celebrations – the abundance of harvest and the spoils of war. This prophetic glimpse speaks to a spiritual multiplication and a profound, divinely-sourced gladness that far surpasses temporary earthly pleasures. It points towards a restoration and flourishing that anticipates the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ, where salvation brings immense and eternal joy to a redeemed multitude from all nations.