Isaiah 63:9

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

In all their affliction {H6869} he was afflicted {H6862}, and the angel {H4397} of his presence {H6440} saved {H3467} them: in his love {H160} and in his pity {H2551} he redeemed {H1350} them; and he bare {H5190} them, and carried {H5375} them all the days {H3117} of old {H5769}.

In all their troubles he was troubled; then the Angel of His Presence saved them; in his love and pity he redeemed them. He had lifted them up and carried them throughout the days of old.

In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9 offers a profound glimpse into the compassionate heart of God, emphasizing His deep solidarity with His people, Israel, during their times of distress and His enduring faithfulness throughout their history. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of divine empathy and active intervention.

Context

Isaiah chapter 63 is part of the latter section of the book, often attributed to Second Isaiah, which speaks of future redemption and restoration for Israel, but also reflects on past deliverances and present lament. In this passage, the prophet recounts God's past mercies and interventions on behalf of Israel, particularly referring to their deliverance from Egyptian bondage and their journey through the wilderness. The chapter also contains a lament, pleading for God to once again demonstrate His mighty power and compassion, recalling the "days of old" when He intervened so powerfully.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empathy and Solidarity: The phrase "In all their affliction he was afflicted" reveals God's deep identification with human suffering. It suggests that God does not merely observe His people's pain from a distance, but shares in it, feeling their distress as His own. This intimate connection underscores God's personal involvement in the lives of His chosen ones.
  • The Angel of His Presence: This mysterious figure, "the angel of his presence," is often interpreted as a unique manifestation of God Himself or a divine messenger embodying God's direct presence and authority. This highlights that salvation and deliverance come directly from God's personal intervention, not from an intermediary devoid of divine essence. This divine presence was what assured Israel's journey through the wilderness.
  • God's Love and Pity as Motivation: The verse explicitly states that God's actions—saving, redeeming, bearing, and carrying—are rooted "in his love and in his pity." These are not acts of obligation but flow from His inherent character of boundless compassion and unwavering affection for His people. This redemption is rooted in God's unchanging love and compassion, a love described by Jeremiah as everlasting.
  • Sustained Divine Care: The imagery of God "bare them, and carried them all the days of old" vividly portrays God's continuous and faithful care throughout Israel's history, particularly referencing their journey through the wilderness after the Exodus. This emphasizes His role as a tender parent, providing sustenance, protection, and guidance over generations. This imagery recalls the Exodus narrative where God carried Israel on eagles' wings.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "afflicted" (צָר, tzar) in "he was afflicted" can mean distressed, narrowed, or even bound. It conveys a strong sense of empathy and shared experience, not merely sympathy. The phrase "angel of his presence" (מַלְאַךְ פָּנָיו, mal'akh panaw) signifies one who is directly from God's face or presence, implying a unique, authoritative divine manifestation, often seen as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ by Christian interpreters, embodying God's immediate and personal involvement.

Significance and Application

Isaiah 63:9 offers immense comfort and assurance for believers today. It teaches us that God is not distant from our struggles; rather, He intimately identifies with our pain. In our own afflictions, we can find solace knowing that God is afflicted with us. This divine empathy extends to all who trust in Him, offering a powerful foundation for faith during difficult times. God's deep identification with human suffering, a theme echoed in Psalm 34:18 regarding His closeness to the brokenhearted, reminds us that He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Just as He "carried" Israel through their wilderness, He promises to bear and sustain His people through every trial, motivated by His unchanging love and pity.

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.

  • Exodus 33:14

    And he said, My presence shall go [with thee], and I will give thee rest.

  • Exodus 23:20

    ¶ Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

  • Exodus 23:21

    Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name [is] in him.

  • Malachi 3:1

    ¶ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Deuteronomy 7:7

    The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye [were] the fewest of all people:

  • Deuteronomy 7:8

    But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

  • Exodus 19:4

    Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and [how] I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

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