Isaiah 51:9

¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?

Awake {H5782}, awake {H5782}, put on {H3847} strength {H5797}, O arm {H2220} of the LORD {H3068}; awake {H5782}, as in the ancient {H6924} days {H3117}, in the generations {H1755} of old {H5769}. Art thou not it that hath cut {H2672} Rahab {H7294}, and wounded {H2490} the dragon {H8577}?

Awake! Awake! Arm of ADONAI, clothe yourself with strength! Awake, as in days of old, as in ancient generations! Wasn't it you who hacked Rahav to pieces, you who pierced the sea monster?

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah; awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Is it not thou that didst cut Rahab in pieces, that didst pierce the monster?

Isaiah 51:9 is a fervent plea from the prophet, or the remnant of Israel, to God, calling upon His divine power to intervene on their behalf. The people, in exile and feeling abandoned, appeal to God to act with the same strength and decisive intervention He displayed in the past. It’s a cry for a new deliverance, reminiscent of the mighty acts of old.

Context

This verse is situated within the "Book of Comfort" in Isaiah (chapters 40-66), a section primarily addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Following prophecies of judgment, these chapters offer hope, reassurance, and promises of restoration. The people were despondent, questioning God's faithfulness and power to deliver them from their captivity. Isaiah 51 specifically encourages them to look to their past (Abraham, Sarah) and to God's mighty acts of deliverance, assuring them of future redemption. The plea in verse 9 reflects the human desire for God to "wake up" and manifest His power in their current distress, just as He did in the "ancient days."

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Intervention: The repeated call to "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD" is a passionate cry for God to display His active, irresistible power. The "arm of the LORD" is a powerful biblical metaphor for God's executive strength and ability to deliver, protect, and judge.
  • Remembrance of Past Deliverance: The verse explicitly recalls "ancient days" and "generations of old," specifically referencing God's past triumphs over formidable foes. This serves as a foundation for faith, reminding both the supplicant and the reader that God's power is consistent and His faithfulness unwavering.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Chaos: The mention of "Rahab" and "the dragon" symbolizes powerful, chaotic, and oppressive forces. In this context, "Rahab" is a symbolic name for Egypt, often depicted as a mythical sea monster or a representation of primeval chaos. The "dragon" (Hebrew: tannin) is a parallel term, reinforcing the imagery of a monstrous, destructive power. God's past victory over these forces (referring to the Exodus and the parting of the Red Sea) underscores His ultimate sovereignty over all opposition, whether physical or spiritual.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Arm of the LORD": This anthropomorphism (attributing human characteristics to God) vividly portrays God's strength and ability to act. It emphasizes not just His existence, but His dynamic engagement with the world.
  • "Rahab": Distinct from Rahab the harlot of Jericho, this "Rahab" (Hebrew: rahab) here is a poetic and symbolic name for Egypt, often linked with mythical sea monsters or primeval chaos, as seen in Psalm 89:10, where God "didst break Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain". It signifies a powerful, oppressive nation.
  • "Dragon": The Hebrew word tannin is often translated as "sea monster," "serpent," or "dragon." Here, it parallels "Rahab" and further symbolizes Egypt or any great, oppressive power that defies God. This imagery is also found in Psalm 74:13, where God "didst break the heads of the dragons in the waters."

Practical Application

Isaiah 51:9 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. When faced with overwhelming circumstances, feelings of helplessness, or when it seems God is silent or inactive, this verse encourages us to:

  1. Pray Boldly: It models a fervent, honest prayer, appealing to God's character and past actions. We are invited to call upon God to "awake" and display His strength in our lives and in the world.
  2. Remember God's Faithfulness: Just as the prophet recalled God's deliverance from "Rahab" and "the dragon," we are to remember God's past faithfulness in our own lives and in history. This remembrance builds confidence that the God who acted mightily in the past will act again. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
  3. Trust in God's Sovereignty: No "Rahab" or "dragon"—no oppressive power, personal struggle, or global crisis—is too great for the "arm of the LORD." This verse instills hope that God is capable of overcoming any obstacle, bringing deliverance and order out of chaos.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 74:13

    Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.

  • Psalms 74:14

    Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, [and] gavest him [to be] meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

  • Isaiah 52:1

    ¶ Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

  • Psalms 89:10

    Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.

  • Isaiah 27:1

    ¶ In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that [is] in the sea.

  • Isaiah 30:7

    For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength [is] to sit still.

  • Ezekiel 29:3

    Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself.

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