Isaiah 56:9

ยถ All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, [yea], all ye beasts in the forest.

All ye beasts {H2416} of the field {H7704}, come {H857} to devour {H398}, yea, all ye beasts {H2416} in the forest {H3293}.

All you wild animals, come and devour, yes, all you animals in the forest!

Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest.

All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.

Commentary

Isaiah 56:9 is a stark prophetic utterance, an alarming call to destructive forces to come and "devour." This verse, from the King James Version (KJV), serves as a dramatic transition within the prophet Isaiahโ€™s message, signaling a coming period of vulnerability and judgment for the nation of Israel.

Context

This verse appears in a section of Isaiah (chapters 56-66) that addresses the future of Israel, particularly after the Babylonian exile, and discusses themes of righteousness, inclusivity, and justice. While the preceding verses (Isaiah 56:1-8) offer hope and welcome to foreigners and eunuchs who keep God's covenant, Isaiah 56:9 abruptly shifts tone. It sets the stage for the severe condemnation of Israel's corrupt and unfaithful leaders that follows immediately in Isaiah 56:10-12. The "beasts of the field" and "beasts in the forest" are a metaphorical invitation for external enemies or internal chaos to prey upon a people left unprotected by their negligent spiritual and political watchmen.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequence: The verse powerfully conveys the idea of impending judgment. It implies that due to the spiritual failings and moral decay within the nation, especially among its leaders, God will allow destructive forces to have their way.
  • Vulnerability Due to Unfaithful Leadership: A core message is that when those appointed to protect and guide the flock (the nation) fail in their duties, the flock becomes utterly exposed. The "beasts" represent the dangers that exploit such weakness.
  • Prophetic Warning: This is not merely a description but a divine declaration, serving as a solemn warning about the severe consequences of spiritual negligence and corruption.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "beasts of the field" and "beasts in the forest" is a powerful biblical idiom. In prophetic literature, these terms frequently symbolize invading armies, foreign nations, or internal destructive elements that threaten God's people. The Hebrew word for "devour" (ืึธื›ึทืœ, akal) emphasizes the thorough and destructive nature of the impending consumption, indicating not just an attack but a complete subjugation or ruin.

Practical Application

While rooted in ancient Israel's context, Isaiah 56:9 offers timeless lessons:

  • Accountability of Leadership: It underscores the immense responsibility of leaders, whether in government, church, or community. When leaders prioritize self-interest over the well-being of those they serve, the entire body becomes vulnerable. This resonates with warnings found in passages like Ezekiel 34:8-10 regarding unfaithful shepherds.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Decay: The verse reminds us that spiritual complacency and moral compromise can open the door to destructive forces, both internal and external. It's a call to vigilance and righteousness.
  • God's Justice: Ultimately, this verse reveals God's justice in allowing consequences to unfold when His people, especially their leaders, stray far from His covenant and principles.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 12:9

    Mine heritage [is] unto me [as] a speckled bird, the birds round about [are] against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.

  • Ezekiel 39:17

    And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, [even] a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

  • Revelation 19:17

    And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

  • Revelation 19:18

    That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all [men, both] free and bond, both small and great.

  • Isaiah 18:6

    They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.

  • Deuteronomy 28:26

    And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray [them] away.

  • Ezekiel 29:5

    And I will leave thee [thrown] into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven.