Isaiah 9:20

And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:

And he shall snatch {H1504} on the right hand {H3225}, and be hungry {H7457}; and he shall eat {H398} on the left hand {H8040}, and they shall not be satisfied {H7646}: they shall eat {H398} every man {H376} the flesh {H1320} of his own arm {H2220}:

The one on the right grabs but stays hungry, the one on the left eats but is unfilled. Everyone devours his own arm's flesh

They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.

And one shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:

Isaiah 9:20 (KJV) paints a stark and disturbing picture of the consequences of unrepentant sin and divine judgment. This verse describes a society plunged into such extreme desperation and internal conflict that its members turn on each other and ultimately, upon themselves, finding no relief.

Context

This verse is found within a powerful prophetic oracle in Isaiah 9:8-21, directed primarily against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim and Samaria) for their persistent rebellion against God. Despite repeated judgments and warnings, they refused to repent, instead hardening their hearts and boasting of rebuilding stronger (see Isaiah 9:10). The passage details a series of escalating divine punishments, leading to internal chaos, famine, and ultimately, self-destruction. The preceding verses highlight the breakdown of leadership and the spread of wickedness throughout society.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Desperation: The imagery of snatching and eating, yet remaining hungry, vividly portrays a state of profound scarcity and insatiable need, a direct result of God's judgment upon a rebellious people.
  • Internal Strife and Self-Destruction: The chilling phrase, "they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm," is a powerful metaphor for utter societal breakdown. It suggests internal cannibalism, not necessarily literal, but a consuming of one's own resources, strength, or even turning on one's own kin and tribe due to extreme desperation and lack of external sustenance. This highlights the ultimate futility of human efforts when separated from divine provision and order. This internal conflict is further emphasized in the next verse, where Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim devours Manasseh.
  • Unending Dissatisfaction: Despite their frantic efforts to seize and consume, "they shall not be satisfied." This speaks to the spiritual emptiness that accompanies rebellion against God, where material gain or desperate measures bring no lasting peace or fulfillment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "snatch" is gazal, which implies a forceful seizure or plundering. This emphasizes the violent and desperate nature of their actions. The phrase "eat the flesh of his own arm" is a stark idiom. While some interpret it as literal cannibalism during siege, it is more commonly understood as a strong metaphor for self-inflicted harm, depletion of one's own vitality, or the destructive consumption of one's own people and resources due to internal conflict and lack of external provision.

Practical Application

Isaiah 9:20 serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive consequences of persistent sin and societal division. When a people or individuals reject God's guidance and provision, they often descend into a state of internal conflict, insatiable desires, and self-destructive behaviors. This verse underscores the importance of repentance, unity, and seeking God's wisdom rather than relying on desperate, self-serving actions. It reminds us that true satisfaction and peace come from God alone, not from worldly striving or internal strife. This echoes the sentiment found in Jesus' teaching about being the bread of life, where those who come to Him will never hunger.

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.

  • Isaiah 49:26

    And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

  • Jeremiah 19:9

    And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.

  • Lamentations 4:10

    The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

  • Leviticus 26:26

    [And] when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver [you] your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

  • Leviticus 26:29

    And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.

  • Isaiah 8:21

    And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

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