Isaiah 9 6

Isaiah 9:6 kjv

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 nkjv

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 niv

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 esv

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 nlt

For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9 verses

Isaiah 9 6 meaning

Isaiah 9:6 declares the birth of a miraculous child, a son who will bear the burden of government and be identified by a series of exalted, divine names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This verse prophesies the advent of the Messiah, detailing His human nature through birth and His divine nature and ultimate authority through His profound titles and eternal reign. It offers a profound message of hope, envisioning a divinely empowered ruler who will bring lasting peace and justice.

Isaiah 9 6 Context

Isaiah 9:6 stands as a brilliant light of promise following a dark preceding context. Chapters 7 and 8 deal with the immediate threat of Assyrian invasion and the faithlessness of King Ahaz, promising a sign in "Immanuel" (Isa 7:14), who symbolizes God's presence. Chapter 9:1-2 speaks of the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, the "Galilee of the Gentiles," enduring profound darkness but then seeing a great light. This immediately sets the stage for the announcement of the "child born, son given" as the source of that light and the coming deliverance. The verse contrasts the temporary and failing human rulers (like Ahaz) and their inability to provide lasting peace and justice, presenting the coming Messiah as the definitive, divine solution to Israel's, and ultimately humanity's, woes. It polemicizes against the futility of human wisdom, military might, and transient kingship by declaring a ruler who possesses divine attributes and an eternal, righteous government.

Isaiah 9 6 Word analysis

• For to us a child is born:

  • child (Hebrew: yeled יֶלֶד): Emphasizes His true humanity, a natural birth into the human experience.
  • born (Hebrew: nolad נוֹלָד): Denotes the physical act of birth, establishing His connection to mankind. This underscores that He is truly one of us.

• to us a son is given:

  • son (Hebrew: ben בֵּן): Implies a familial relationship, heirship, and often special status.
  • given (Hebrew: nitān נִתַּן): Signifies divine provision and divine agency. He is not merely a product of human generation, but a gift from God. The shift from "born" to "given" highlights His unique dual nature—humanity derived from birth, yet His very existence a divine offering.

• and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

  • government (Hebrew: mimshal מִמְשָׂר): Signifies dominion, rule, authority.
  • upon his shoulder (Hebrew: 'al kâtephô עַל-כְּתֵפוֹ): A symbolic representation of bearing responsibility, power, and the weight of sovereign authority. Ancient kings often carried symbols of office or keys to the royal treasury on their shoulders (e.g., Isa 22:22). It implies both a burden willingly taken and the authority fully exercised.

• and his name shall be called:

  • name (Hebrew: shem שֵׁם): In biblical context, a name often signifies the essence, character, and nature of the individual, rather than just a label. To call by a name is to declare who someone truly is.
  • called (Hebrew: yikra יִקְרָא): To declare or acknowledge the essence of.

• Wonderful Counselor:

  • Wonderful (Hebrew: Pele פֶּלֶא): Implies something beyond human comprehension, miraculous, extraordinary, divine, transcending natural capabilities. This same word describes God's wondrous deeds.
  • Counselor (Hebrew: Yo'etz יוֹעֵץ): One who gives wise advice, guidance, strategy. This points to divine wisdom and unparalleled strategic understanding. As Counselor, He is the source of all true wisdom and provides perfect direction.

• Mighty God:

  • Mighty (Hebrew: Gibbōr גִּבּוֹר): Hero, strong one, warrior, mighty. Often used to describe warriors and even God Himself.
  • God (Hebrew: El אֵל): The common, foundational Hebrew term for God, denoting supreme divine power and being. This title is a clear declaration of His divinity, unparalleled strength, and authority, setting Him apart from all other rulers or gods. It affirms His deity without equivocation.

• Everlasting Father:

  • Everlasting (Hebrew: 'Ad עַד): Perpetual, forever, eternal. Indicates His timelessness and unending nature.
  • Father (Hebrew: 'Avi אֲבִי): In this context, it describes His character and relationship to His people – one of enduring care, provision, protection, and faithfulness. It signifies Him as the origin and sustainer of life for eternity, the compassionate patron of His people, not referring to Him as the first person of the Trinity, but to His kingly paternal role.

• Prince of Peace:

  • Prince (Hebrew: Sar שַׂר): A ruler, chief, leader, commander. Implies royalty and sovereign authority.
  • Peace (Hebrew: Shalom שָׁלוֹם): Much more than absence of conflict. It encompasses completeness, wholeness, well-being, health, prosperity, reconciliation, and righteousness. This title declares Him as the ultimate source and embodiment of perfect peace, bringing harmonious order and welfare to His kingdom and people.

• Words-Group analysis:

  • "a child is born, a son is given": This striking parallelism emphasizes both the Messiah's genuine human birth and His divine origin and gifting to humanity, essential for His mediatorial role. It assures both His accessibility and His uniqueness.
  • "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace": This ascending series of four magnificent compound names comprehensively defines the Messiah's nature and function. Each name is a divine attribute and royal title, collectively presenting a complete picture of the coming ruler as one possessed of unparalleled wisdom, power, eternal care, and ultimate peace.

Isaiah 9 6 Bonus section

The four compound names serve not just as titles but as prophetic declarations that grow in significance, each one building upon the previous. They culminate in a comprehensive identity that surpasses any human monarch or even the most revered prophets. The progression of these names reflects an increasing depth of God's character and attributes in the Messiah. For ancient Israel, who often saw kings fail, this promised ruler offered hope rooted not in human strength, but in God's very nature. The contrast with earthly kingdoms—often marked by war, instability, and unrighteousness—is stark. The Messiah promises eternal stability, righteousness, and Shalom in its fullest sense, through a government founded on divine character. The "wonder" (Pele) mentioned in the first title implicitly colors all subsequent titles, signifying that His very existence and every aspect of His being are miraculous and divinely authored.

Isaiah 9 6 Commentary

Isaiah 9:6 is a pivotal prophetic text foretelling the advent of the Messiah. It seamlessly interweaves His human birth with His divine identity, affirming He would be both fully human ("a child is born") and fully divine ("Mighty God"). The transfer of government "upon his shoulder" symbolizes His absolute, enduring authority as a ruler. The four majestic titles, far beyond human descriptive capabilities, unveil His essential character and functions: as "Wonderful Counselor," He embodies divine wisdom; as "Mighty God," He is inherently divine and powerful; as "Everlasting Father," He manifests eternal, paternal care and constancy; and as "Prince of Peace," He is the ultimate source of spiritual, social, and cosmic well-being. This verse therefore presents a king whose dominion is not earthly or temporary, but divine, eternal, and righteous, offering hope for universal peace and an unshakable kingdom that perfectly fulfills God's redemptive plan.