¶ The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
The Lord {H136} sent {H7971} a word {H1697} into Jacob {H3290}, and it hath lighted {H5307} upon Israel {H3478}.
Adonai sent a word to Ya'akov, and it has fallen on Isra'el.
The Lord has sent a message against Jacob, and it has fallen upon Israel.
The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
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.
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Zechariah 1:6
But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. -
Isaiah 8:4
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria. -
Isaiah 8:8
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. -
Micah 1:1
¶ The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. -
Micah 1:9
For her wound [is] incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, [even] to Jerusalem. -
Isaiah 7:7
Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. -
Isaiah 7:8
For the head of Syria [is] Damascus, and the head of Damascus [is] Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
Isaiah 9:8 opens a somber section of prophecy concerning God's impending judgment on the northern kingdom of Israel. This verse acts as an introduction, setting the stage for the specific woes and punishments that follow.
Context
While the preceding verses (Isaiah 9:1-7) proclaim a glorious future under the reign of the Messiah, Isaiah 9:8 pivots sharply to the immediate reality of Israel's spiritual decline. The "word" mentioned here is not a message of comfort or salvation, but a divine decree of judgment. This section (verses 8-21) details the consequences of Israel's persistent pride, rebellion, and refusal to repent, highlighting their stubbornness in the face of various afflictions.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "word" here is dabar (דָּבָר), which means more than just spoken utterance. It can refer to a matter, a thing, or a decree. In this context, it carries the weight of a divine pronouncement or an irreversible decree that has tangible, often severe, consequences. The phrase "lighted upon" comes from the Hebrew naphal (נָפַל), meaning "to fall" or "to land upon." It vividly portrays the word of judgment as something that physically descends upon the nation, striking them and taking effect.
Practical Application
Isaiah 9:8 serves as a powerful reminder that God's word is living and active, always accomplishing its purpose. For believers today, it highlights the importance of heeding God's warnings and aligning our lives with His will. Just as God's word "lighted upon" ancient Israel with consequences, so too does His word illuminate truth and bring about spiritual realities in our lives. It encourages a posture of humility and repentance, knowing that God's decrees, whether of blessing or discipline, are sure to come to pass. Consider how this principle applies to personal and national righteousness, as also seen in Amos 3:2.