Isaiah 9:20

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 9:20 presents a chilling depiction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) under divine judgment, characterized by internal strife, insatiable hunger, and self-destructive behavior. This verse portrays a society so fractured and desperate that its members, driven by an unquenchable need, turn violently against each other and ultimately consume their own resources and strength, finding no satisfaction or relief in their destructive actions. It underscores the profound futility and spiritual emptiness that result from persistent rebellion against God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a powerful prophetic oracle in [Isaiah 9:8-21](/isaiah/9 "Isaiah 9 - God's Judgment on Israel"), which details God's escalating judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim and Samaria). Despite repeated divine warnings and chastisements, the people stubbornly refused to repent, instead defiantly boasting of their ability to rebuild stronger (as seen in [Isaiah 9:10](/isaiah/9-10 "Isaiah 9:10 - Israel's Defiance")). The preceding verses describe a society where moral decay has permeated all levels, from leadership to the common people, leading to a breakdown of social order. Isaiah 9:20 specifically illustrates the internal chaos and self-cannibalizing nature of this judgment, where desperation drives people to consume their own, both literally and figuratively, a theme further emphasized in the subsequent verse where internal tribal conflict intensifies, with [Manasseh devouring Ephraim and Ephraim devouring Manasseh](/isaiah/9-21 "Isaiah 9:21 - Internal Strife").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Israel's history (8th century BCE), particularly for the Northern Kingdom. They faced constant threats from the rising Assyrian Empire, which would eventually conquer Samaria in 722 BCE. Internally, the kingdom was plagued by political instability, idolatry, social injustice, and a general abandonment of the Mosaic covenant. The imagery of "eating the flesh of his own arm" can be understood against the backdrop of ancient Near Eastern siege warfare, where extreme famine could lead to literal cannibalism (as described in [Lamentations 4:10](/lamentations/4-10 "Lamentations 4:10 - Cannibalism During Siege")). However, within this prophetic context, it primarily functions as a powerful metaphor for self-inflicted harm, the destructive consumption of one's own resources, or the internal strife that leads to the decimation of one's own people due to a lack of external provision and divine order.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Desperation**, where the imagery of snatching and eating, yet remaining perpetually hungry, vividly portrays the profound scarcity and insatiable need that results from God's righteous wrath against a rebellious people. It underscores the theme of **Internal Strife and Self-Destruction**, as the chilling phrase "they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm" serves as a stark metaphor for utter societal breakdown, where desperate individuals or factions turn on their own kind, depleting their collective strength and vitality. This internal conflict is a direct consequence of their rejection of God's external provision and guidance, leading to a state of **Unending Dissatisfaction**, where frantic efforts to seize and consume bring no lasting peace or fulfillment, symbolizing the spiritual emptiness that accompanies rebellion against the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **snatch (Hebrew, _gâzar'_):** From H1504, meaning "to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide." In this context, "snatch" implies a forceful, violent seizure, not merely taking but plundering or severing. It underscores the desperate and aggressive nature of their actions, driven by an insatiable hunger that leads them to violently take from whatever is available, even from their own.
* **flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** From H1320, referring to "flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person." While it can denote literal flesh, in the metaphorical phrase "flesh of his own arm," it represents one's own substance, strength, resources, or even one's own people. The consumption of "flesh" here signifies a devastating internal consumption, a tearing apart of the very fabric of their own being or society.
* **arm (Hebrew, _zᵉrôwaʻ'_):** From H2220, meaning "the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force." The arm symbolizes strength, power, and the means by which one acts or provides. To "eat the flesh of his own arm" is a powerful idiom for self-destruction, self-impoverishment, or the consumption of one's own strength and resources, leaving one utterly depleted and powerless, unable to help oneself or others.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry;":** This clause introduces the insatiable nature of the hunger and the desperate, violent actions it provokes. The "right hand" (H3225, _yâmîyn'_) typically symbolizes strength, favor, and prosperity. To "snatch" from it suggests a frenzied, indiscriminate taking from any available source, even those traditionally associated with strength or blessing, yet the act provides no relief, leaving the individual still "hungry."
* **"and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied:":** This continues the theme of desperate consumption. The "left hand" (H8040, _sᵉmôʼwl'_) often symbolizes the less favored or weaker side. The shift from "he" to "they" broadens the scope from an individual's desperation to a collective societal condition. Despite their frantic efforts to "eat" (H398, _ʼâkal'_), their hunger remains unquenched, highlighting the futility and spiritual emptiness of their self-serving actions.
* **"they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:":** This is the climactic and most disturbing image. It signifies the ultimate breakdown of society and the profound self-destructive consequences of their rebellion. "Every man" (H376, _ʼîysh'_) emphasizes the widespread nature of this internal devastation. As analyzed above, "eating the flesh of his own arm" (H1320, _bâsâr'_; H2220, _zᵉrôwaʻ'_) is a powerful metaphor for internal strife, the consumption of one's own resources, strength, or people, leading to utter depletion and ruin.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 9:20 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and disturbing picture of desperation and internal conflict. The actions of "snatching," "eating," and remaining "hungry" or "not satisfied" create a visceral sense of an unquenchable need. The most striking device is **Metaphor** and **Hyperbole** in the phrase "they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm." While it could allude to literal cannibalism during siege (hyperbole for extreme famine), its primary function here is a powerful metaphor for self-destruction, internal societal breakdown, and the depletion of one's own strength and resources due to insatiable desires and conflict within the community. This **Symbolism** of the "arm" representing strength and means of provision further emphasizes the self-inflicted nature of their ruin. The verse also employs a form of **Parallelism** and **Antithesis** by contrasting the actions of snatching/eating with the persistent state of hunger/dissatisfaction, underscoring the futility of their desperate efforts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 9:20 serves as a profound theological statement on the consequences of rejecting God's covenant and persistent rebellion. It illustrates that when a people turn away from divine guidance and provision, they inevitably descend into a state of internal chaos, insatiable desires, and self-destructive behaviors. The "hunger" described is not merely physical but spiritual, representing an unfulfilled longing that worldly pursuits or desperate measures cannot satisfy. This passage underscores the principle that true sustenance and peace come only from God, and that a society consumed by internal strife and self-interest is destined for ruin, consuming its own vitality from within. It is a stark reminder that sin, left unchecked, ultimately devours the sinner.

* [Proverbs 1:31](/proverbs/1-31 "Proverbs 1:31 - Consequences of Rejecting Wisdom")
* [Leviticus 26:29](/leviticus/26-29 "Leviticus 26:29 - Warnings of Famine and Cannibalism")
* [Galatians 5:15](/galatians/5-15 "Galatians 5:15 - Warning Against Internal Strife")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 9:20 offers a sobering mirror for individuals and societies today. It challenges us to examine the sources of our "hunger" and "satisfaction." Are we, like ancient Israel, frantically snatching at worldly provisions, seeking fulfillment in material gain, power, or self-gratification, only to find ourselves perpetually unsatisfied? The image of "eating the flesh of his own arm" powerfully warns against the dangers of internal division, whether within a family, a church, a nation, or even within our own souls. When we turn against each other, or when our desires lead us to deplete our own spiritual and emotional resources, we engage in a form of self-destruction. This verse calls us to repentance, to seek true satisfaction in God alone, and to pursue unity and peace rather than succumbing to the divisive and destructive forces of selfish ambition and insatiable cravings. It reminds us that genuine flourishing comes from aligning our lives with God's will and relying on His provision, not from desperate, self-serving actions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "hunger" in your life remains unsatisfied, despite your efforts to fill it? How might this relate to seeking satisfaction apart from God?**
* **In what ways might individuals or communities today be "eating the flesh of their own arm," engaging in self-destructive behaviors or internal strife that depletes their strength and unity?**
* **How can we actively pursue true satisfaction and unity, both personally and corporately, in light of this passage's warning?**

### FAQ
**Is the phrase "they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm" meant to be taken literally as cannibalism?**

Answer: While the imagery of "eating the flesh of his own arm" could evoke the horrific reality of literal cannibalism during extreme sieges (as mentioned in [Lamentations 4:10](/lamentations/4-10 "Lamentations 4:10 - Famine and Cannibalism")), in the prophetic context of Isaiah 9:20, it is primarily understood as a powerful and vivid metaphor. It signifies profound self-destruction, internal societal breakdown, and the depletion of one's own resources and strength due to relentless internal conflict and insatiable desires. It illustrates a state where a people are so desperate and divided that they consume their own vitality, turning on each other and ultimately ruining themselves from within, rather than finding external provision or unity.

**Who are the "he" and "they" referred to in Isaiah 9:20?**

Answer: The "he" and "they" in Isaiah 9:20 refer to the people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, specifically Ephraim and Samaria, who are the primary recipients of this prophetic oracle of judgment in [Isaiah 9:8-21](/isaiah/9 "Isaiah 9 - God's Judgment on Israel"). The shift from "he" to "they" emphasizes that the individual desperation and insatiable hunger described in the first part of the verse become a widespread, collective societal condition. It highlights that the internal strife and self-destructive actions are not isolated incidents but characterize the entire rebellious nation, leading to their ultimate downfall.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 9:20, with its stark portrayal of insatiable hunger, internal strife, and self-destruction, finds its ultimate contrast and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "hunger" described in the verse is a profound spiritual emptiness that no amount of worldly "snatching" or "eating" can satisfy. Jesus, however, declares Himself to be the true "Bread of Life," promising that "whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Where humanity, in its rebellion, consumes itself through division and insatiable desires, Christ offers true nourishment and lasting satisfaction. Furthermore, the internal strife and "eating the flesh of his own arm" that characterized a people under judgment are overcome by Christ's work on the cross. He is the one who breaks down "the dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), bringing peace and unity where there was fragmentation and self-destruction. Through His sacrifice, He reconciles humanity not only to God but also to one another, offering a new way of life where spiritual hunger is satisfied, and unity replaces division, ultimately fulfilling the promise of a kingdom where righteousness and peace prevail ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.