Isaiah 9:14

Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.

Therefore the LORD {H3068} will cut off {H3772} from Israel {H3478} head {H7218} and tail {H2180}, branch {H3712} and rush {H100}, in one {H259} day {H3117}.

Therefore ADONAI will cut off Isra'el's head and tail, [tall] palm frond and [lowly] reed in a single day.

So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day.

Therefore Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day.

Commentary

Isaiah 9:14 is part of a larger prophetic indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often referred to as Ephraim) for its persistent sin and rebellion against God. The preceding verses (Isaiah 9:8-13) detail Israel's arrogance and refusal to repent despite repeated chastisements and judgments from the LORD. Instead of turning back to God, they defiantly boasted of rebuilding with stronger materials, ignoring the divine hand behind their troubles. This verse, therefore, declares a swift and complete judgment as a direct consequence of their unyielding pride and spiritual apostasy.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse unequivocally states God's active role in bringing judgment upon a rebellious nation. It highlights His justice in responding to unrepentant sin.
  • Total Destruction: The imagery of "head and tail, branch and rush" signifies a comprehensive and indiscriminate judgment. It implies that no one, from the highest leader to the lowest citizen, from the strongest element to the weakest, will escape the impending calamity.
  • Swiftness and Certainty: The phrase "in one day" emphasizes the suddenness, decisiveness, and inevitability of the LORD's action, underscoring that His patience has limits and His judgment, once determined, will not be delayed.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: This verse serves as a stark warning about the severe outcomes of rejecting God's authority and refusing to heed His calls to repentance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew parallelism in this verse uses vivid metaphors:

  • "Head and tail" (Hebrew: rosh v'zanav) are common biblical metaphors. "Head" often refers to leaders, rulers, or those in authority, while "tail" refers to the lowest, the followers, or those in subservience. This imagery is also used in Deuteronomy 28:13, where being the "head" is a blessing and the "tail" is a curse. Here, both are cut off, indicating judgment on all societal strata.
  • "Branch and rush" (Hebrew: tillah v'agmon) further emphasizes the totality. A "branch" or palm frond (tillah) represents something strong, tall, and visible, while a "rush" or reed (agmon) is weak, low-lying, and easily broken. This combination underscores that the judgment will affect both the prominent and the humble, the strong and the weak, leaving nothing untouched.

Practical Application

Isaiah 9:14 carries timeless lessons for individuals and nations:

  • Accountability to God: It reminds us that God is just and holds all accountable for their actions, particularly for persistent rebellion and unrepentance.
  • Urgency of Repentance: The phrase "in one day" highlights the suddenness with which consequences can arrive. It underscores the importance of responding to God's warnings and calls to repentance without delay (2 Corinthians 6:2).
  • No Partiality in Judgment: God's judgment, when it comes, is often comprehensive, affecting all levels of society. No one is exempt from His justice when persistent sin goes unaddressed.
  • God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, this verse affirms the LORD's sovereign control over nations and their destinies, even amidst human defiance.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 19:15

    Neither shall there be [any] work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.

  • Revelation 18:8

    Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judgeth her.

  • Hosea 1:6

    And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And [God] said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.

  • Amos 6:11

    For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.

  • Amos 7:8

    And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:

  • Amos 7:9

    And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.

  • Amos 9:1

    ¶ I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.
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