Israel's Arrogance and Coming Punishment
Isaiah 9:8-10:4
Isa.9.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידעו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויושב: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שמרון: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בגאוה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובגדל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Isaiah 9:9-10 (structural): Immediate continuation of 9:8 — the same oracle against Ephraim/Samaria; exposes the people's pride and records the divine judgment and the nation's arrogant response.
- Hosea 5:5 (verbal): Explicitly names Ephraim/Israel and links their pride to coming downfall — language of Israel's pride and culpability parallels Isaiah's charge against Ephraim/Samaria.
- Hosea 13:6 (thematic): Describes Israel's complacency and swollen heart after prosperity ('their heart has become proud'), connecting proud forgetfulness of God with the judgment motifs found in Isaiah 9:8.
- Amos 6:1,8 (thematic): Condemns the ease and proud complacency of Zion/Samaria and declares God's abhorrence of Jacob's pride — echoes Isaiah's accusation of Samaria's arrogance before judgment.
- 2 Kings 17:7-18 (structural): Historical summary of Samaria/Israel's sins and the Assyrian exile — provides the historical outcome and background corresponding to Isaiah's prophetic indictment of Ephraim's pride.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the people have come to know it—Ephraim; the inhabitant of Samaria sits in pride, haughty in heart, saying:
- All the people—Ephraim, the inhabitant of Samaria—know it: he sits in pride, lifted up in heart, saying:
Isa.9.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לבנים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וגזית: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נבנה: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- שקמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גדעו: VERB,piel,perf,3,m,pl
- וארזים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נחליף: VERB,hiphil,impf,1,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 10:34 (verbal): Speaks of cutting down the forest and felling cedars—echoes the image of sycamores/cedars being hewn down as judgment.
- Ezekiel 31:3-9 (allusion): Uses the cedar-of-Lebanon motif to portray the fall of a great tree/nation; parallels the fall of high trees as a symbol of national overthrow.
- Psalm 29:5 (verbal): Describes God’s voice breaking the cedars of Lebanon—similar language of cedars being shattered as manifestation of divine judgment.
- Zechariah 11:2 (thematic): Calls for Lebanon’s gates to be opened so fire may devour its cedars; parallels the theme of cedar‑trees (symbols of strength) being removed in judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- The bricks have fallen—let us rebuild with hewn stone; the sycamores are cut down—let us replace them with cedars.
- “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with hewn stone; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will set cedars in their place.”
Isa.9.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישגב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- צרי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רצין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- איביו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:3ms
- יסכסך: VERB,hiphil,imperfect,3,m,sg,obj:2ms
Parallels
- Isaiah 5:26 (verbal): Uses the image of the LORD calling or 'hissing' to the nations from afar to bring them in — similar summons of foreign forces found in Isa.9:10.
- Isaiah 10:5 (thematic): Portrays Assyria as the rod of the LORD's anger raised up to punish Israel — parallels the theme of God raising or using an enemy as instrument of judgment.
- Jeremiah 25:9 (thematic): God declares he will summon the kings of the north to execute judgment on the land — a parallel of the LORD stirring foreign powers against His people.
- Psalm 2:4 (allusion): The LORD's sovereign reaction to rebellious nations ('He who sits in the heavens laughs') echoes the motif of divine action against enemies in Isaiah 9:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet the LORD will lift up against them the foes of Rezin, and will stir up their enemies.
- Therefore the LORD will raise up the adversaries of Rezin against them, and will stir up their enemies.
Isa.9.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מקדם: PREP
- ופלשתים: CONJ+NOUN_PROP,m,pl,abs
- מאחור: ADV
- ויאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פה: ADV
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אפו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff3ms
- ועוד: CONJ
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- נטויה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 9:12-17 (structural): Immediate context/continuation of v.11 listing Aram and Philistia's devastation of Israel and the persistent anger of the LORD; shows the same theme developed across the pericope.
- Isaiah 5:25 (verbal): Uses very similar language about the LORD's anger being kindled and his hand being stretched out against the people—close verbal and thematic parallel about punitive divine action.
- Amos 1:3-6 (thematic): Oracles against Damascus (Aram) and Gaza (Philistia) show divine judgment upon those nations; parallels Isaiah’s naming of Aram and the Philistines as agents/objects of conflict and judgment.
- Hosea 5:14 (thematic): Describes the LORD as a consuming/punishing force against Ephraim and Judah despite surrounding enemies—parallel theme of God's active wrath against Israel amid external assaults.
Alternative generated candidates
- Aram on the east and Philistia on the rear—they devour Israel at every mouth; in spite of all this his anger did not turn away, and his hand remained outstretched.
- Aram from the east and the Philistines from the west—they will devour Israel with open mouth. Yet his anger did not turn away, and his hand is still outstretched.
Isa.9.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והעם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- המכהו: NOUN,f,sg,def,suff:3,m
- ואת: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- דרשו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Amos 4:6-11 (verbal): Series of judgments sent by God with the repeated refrain that the people did not return to the LORD—language and theological point (judgment because they would not repent/seek God) parallels Isa 9:12.
- Hosea 5:6 (thematic): Speaks of people going to seek the LORD but finding him withdrawn (‘they shall seek me’/‘they shall not find me’), reflecting the motif of failure to seek God and consequent judgment in Isa 9:12.
- Isaiah 30:1-2 (allusion): Condemns those who refuse to consult the LORD and seek help elsewhere; thematically parallels Isa 9:12’s critique that the people did not seek the LORD and so suffer punishment.
- Psalm 78:34-37 (structural): Describes the pattern that people only sought God after he struck them—mirrors Isa 9:12’s link between divine striking and the people’s failure to return/seek until judgment.
- Jeremiah 8:5 (thematic): Accuses the people of perpetual backsliding and refusal to return to the LORD—echoes Isa 9:12’s charge that the people did not turn back or seek the LORD, precipitating judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people did not repent until he had struck them; nor did they seek the LORD of hosts.
- The people did not turn until he struck them; they did not seek the LORD of hosts.
Isa.9.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכרת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מישראל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וזנב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואגמון: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 9:14-15 (structural): Immediate continuation: explains the imagery of 'head and tail'—the elder and honorable as head, the false prophet as tail—showing the same judgment on Israel’s leaders.
- Isaiah 7:20 (verbal): Uses the image of cutting/shaving (a razor) to describe divine judgment that removes visible signs of leadership and status, echoing the 'cut off head and tail' motif.
- Isaiah 3:2-5 (thematic): Describes the LORD removing mighty men, judges, advisors and elders so that children and unfit leaders rule—paralleling the theme of God cutting off Israel’s leadership.
- Jeremiah 5:30-31 (thematic): Condemns false prophets and corrupt leaders whose guidance misleads the people; like Isa.9:13, it links leadership failure with prophetic deceit and impending judgment.
- Micah 3:11 (thematic): Accuses heads and princes of taking bribes and prophets of teaching for pay—connecting the motif of corrupt leadership and false prophets that Isaiah’s 'head and tail' judgment addresses.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore the LORD cut off both head and tail, the principal and the rear, in one day.
- So the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed in a single day.
Isa.9.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זקן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ונשוא: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- פנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- הראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונביא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מורה: VERB,qal,ptcp,NA,m,sg
- שקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- הזנב: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Jeremiah 14:14 (verbal): God condemns prophets who ‘prophesy lies’ in His name—directly parallels Isaiah’s rebuke of prophets who teach falsehood.
- Jeremiah 23:16–17 (thematic): Warns the people not to listen to prophets who speak visions of their own heart and give false consolation—echoes the theme of misleading/false prophets in Isaiah 9:14.
- Ezekiel 13:6–7 (thematic): Condemns prophets who enact lying visions and give false hope; like Isaiah, Ezekiel attacks prophetic leaders who mislead the community.
- Micah 3:5–7 (thematic): Denounces prophets who prophecy for money and promise peace when there is none—parallels Isaiah’s critique of corrupt/false prophetic leadership.
- Isaiah 3:2 (structural): Within Isaiah’s own judgment sequence leadership is targeted (mighty, judge, prophet, elder removed); parallels the book’s broader theme of failed leaders (head/tail imagery).
Alternative generated candidates
- The elder, the honored, is the head; the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
- The head is the elder and the honored man; the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
Isa.9.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מאשרי: PREP+ADJ,m,pl
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- מתעים: VERB,qal,ptc,pl
- ומאשריו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss3ms
- מבלעים: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Jer. 23:16 (thematic): Condemns prophets who speak vain/false words and lead the people astray—same theme of leaders/prophets misleading the nation.
- Ezek. 13:6-9 (thematic): Denounces false prophets who give deceitful comfort and cause the people to err; parallels Isaiah’s charge against those who mislead and ‘swallow’ the people.
- Mic. 3:5-8 (thematic): Accuses prophets and leaders of prophesying for reward and perverting justice—echoes the motif of corrupt leaders misleading and destroying the people.
- Matt. 15:14 (thematic): Jesus’ image of ‘blind guides’ whose guidance makes their followers fall into the pit parallels the Bible’s critique of leaders who mislead and ruin the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- The leaders of this people lead them astray, and their rulers devour them.
- The leaders of this people lead them astray, and their guides swallow them up.
Isa.9.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- על: PREP
- בחוריו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישמח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- יתמיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- ואת: CONJ
- אלמנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
- לא: PART_NEG
- ירחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- כלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- חנף: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ומרע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- פה: ADV
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אפו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff3ms
- ועוד: CONJ
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- נטויה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 5:25 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD’s anger and that his hand remains outstretched against the people—language and judgment motif closely echoing 'עוד ידו נטויה' and continued divine wrath.
- Isaiah 1:24-25 (thematic): God pronounces judgment on corrupt leaders and people, removing mercy and purging the nation—parallels the theme of societal wickedness and God’s withholding of compassion.
- Hosea 4:6 (verbal): ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge’ highlights the people’s culpable ignorance and consequently withheld mercy, resonating with Isaiah’s indictment of pervasive evil and God’s refusal to relent.
- Jeremiah 5:30-31 (thematic): Condemns falsehood among prophets and the people’s love of deceit—matches Isaiah’s charge that mouths speak abomination and leaders/people are morally corrupt.
- Micah 3:5-7 (thematic): Denounces corrupt prophets and rulers who mislead and exploit, and predicts judgment without pity—parallels Isaiah’s portrayal of societal corruption and impending divine retribution.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore the LORD will not have joy over their young men, nor will he show mercy to their fatherless and their widows; for all are godless and evil, and every mouth utters foulness. In spite of all this his anger did not turn away, and his hand remained outstretched.
- Therefore the LORD will have no joy in their young men; he will not pity their orphans and their widows, for every one is godless and evil, and every mouth speaks foolishness. Yet his anger did not turn away, and his hand is still outstretched.
Isa.9.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- בערה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- כאש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רשעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שמיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ותצת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- בסבכי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,construct
- היער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויתאבכו: CONJ+VERB,hitp,impf,3,m,pl
- גאות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עשן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 9:18-19 (structural): Immediate context/continuation: the same image of fire consuming briars and thickets and rising as smoke—this verse forms part of the same prophetic denunciation and repeats the verbal imagery.
- Isaiah 5:24-25 (verbal): Uses the same judicial-fire motif—'fire devours stubble' and the consuming of the people's roots and blossoms—paralleling the idea of divine wrath as an uncontrollable consuming blaze.
- Nahum 1:10 (verbal): Describes enemies 'like thorns' and 'devoured as stubble'—shared vocabulary and the image of thorns/stubble being consumed, emphasizing total destruction by God’s judgment.
- Judges 9:15-20 (thematic): The parable of the bramble/thorn (shamir) as a symbol of disgrace and harmful rule; thematically related through the thorn/bramble motif used to signify ruin and reproach.
- Psalm 37:20 (thematic): Speaks of the wicked perishing and being consumed 'into smoke'; thematically parallels the motif of wickedness ending in consuming destruction like smoke and fire.
Alternative generated candidates
- For wickedness burned like a blaze of briars and thorns; it consumed and kindled among the thickets of the forest, and the roaring flame became smoke.
- For a burning is kindled in anger—a fire of the wicked; briar and thorn it will consume; in its thickets it shall blaze, and rise up like a column of smoke.
Isa.9.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בעברת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נעתם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כמאכלת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אחיו: NOUN,3,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יחמלו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Isa.9.19 (structural): Immediate continuation of the oracle; repeats the motif of the LORD's wrath burning the land and people consumed like fuel, with internecine violence ('they shall tear down... each man to his brother').
- Zeph.1.18 (thematic): Declares that neither silver nor gold can save in the day of the LORD's wrath because 'the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy'—a parallel image of the land and people consumed by divine fury.
- Nah.1.6 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD's indignation poured out like fire and asks who can stand before it—verbal and theological parallel to the 'fury of the LORD of hosts' consuming the land.
- Mic.3.3 (thematic): Describes leaders who 'eat' and 'pluck' the people—using consumption imagery for oppression; parallels Isaiah's image of the people as fuel and the breakdown of brotherly compassion.
Alternative generated candidates
- By the anger of the LORD of hosts the earth trembled, and the people became fuel for the fire; one did not spare his brother.
- By the blast of the LORD of hosts the land quakes; the people become fuel—each for his neighbor—no one spares his brother.
Isa.9.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגזר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ימין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ורעב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- שמאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- שבעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרעו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- יאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:53-57 (thematic): Covenantal curse language describing siege conditions and forced eating of one's own children/food — parallels Isaiah's horrific imagery of people eating their own flesh as divine judgment.
- 2 Kings 6:25-29 (thematic): Narrative account of the siege of Samaria with explicit instances of cannibalism; a historical example that echoes the graphic famine-judgment imagery of Isaiah 9:19.
- Jeremiah 19:9 (verbal): Prophetic declaration, 'I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters,' closely parallels the verbal phrase and theme of consuming one’s own offspring as divine punishment.
- Lamentations 4:10 (allusion): Poetic lament that depicts parents and survivors resorting to eating their children during Jerusalem's destruction; thematically mirrors Isaiah's depiction of societal collapse and cannibalism.
- Ezekiel 5:10 (thematic): Ezekiel's judgment oracle foretelling familial cannibalism and internal destruction within Israel parallels Isaiah's portrayal of extreme famine and social breakdown under divine wrath.
Alternative generated candidates
- He appointed the right hand a consuming fire and the left hand a famine; he devoured, and was not satisfied; they ate the flesh of their own offspring.
- One seizes on the right and famine devours on the left; they will not be satisfied—each will eat the flesh of his own arm.
Isa.9.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואפרים: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יחדו: ADV
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אפו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff3ms
- ועוד: CONJ
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- נטויה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 17:18 (verbal): Describes the LORD's anger against Israel and his removal of them from his sight—paralleling Isaiah’s note that God’s anger has not turned and his hand remains outstretched against Ephraim/Manasseh.
- Hosea 7:8-11 (verbal): Names Ephraim and depicts its political alliances and corruption (making covenants with foreign powers), echoing Isaiah’s charge that Ephraim and Manasseh act together against Judah and incur divine judgment.
- Hosea 5:5-6 (allusion): Speaks of Israel/Ephraim seeking the LORD but finding him withdrawn—resonates with Isaiah’s statement that God’s anger has not been turned and his hand is still stretched out in punishment.
- Isaiah 10:5-6 (thematic): Presents Assyria as the rod of God’s anger sent against a people—connects thematically with Isaiah 9:20’s depiction of ongoing divine hostility (hand outstretched) against Israel/Ephraim through foreign judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Manasseh with Ephraim—together they are against Judah; in spite of all this his anger did not turn away, and his hand remained outstretched.
- Manasseh with Ephraim, and Ephraim with Manasseh—together they press against Judah. Yet his anger did not turn away, and his hand is still outstretched.
Isa.10.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הוי: INTJ
- החקקים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- חקקי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- און: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומכתבים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כתבו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deut.16.18-20 (verbal): Commands appointment of judges and repeatedly forbids perverting justice or taking bribes—close verbal and legal parallel to condemning unjust decrees and oppressive writers.
- Exod.23.6-8 (verbal): Prohibits perverting justice for the poor and taking bribes that blind the eyes of the righteous—language and concern match Isaiah's rebuke of written oppression.
- Lev.19.15 (verbal): Direct injunction not to pervert justice or show partiality in judgment, echoing the critique of officials who issue unjust laws.
- Mic.3.9-11 (thematic): Denounces leaders, priests, and prophets who pervert justice, accept payment, and act oppressively—thematically parallel to Isaiah's woe against those who craft oppressive decrees.
- Isa.1.23 (thematic): Within Isaiah: accuses rulers of corruption and love of bribes; reinforces the prophet's ongoing critique of unjust officials and oppressive governance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and write oppressive decrees.
- Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and who write oppressive decrees,
Isa.10.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- להטות: VERB,hiph,inf
- מדין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דלים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולגזל: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עניי: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss,1,sg
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- אלמנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שללם: NOUN,m,sg,suff3p
- ואת: CONJ
- יתומים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יבזו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 22:22 (allusion): Legal prohibition against mistreating widows and orphans echoes Isaiah’s complaint about exploiting widows and despoiling fatherless children.
- Deuteronomy 24:17 (verbal): Forbids perverting justice for the sojourner and the fatherless—parallels Isaiah’s charge of denying justice to the needy and robbing orphans.
- Jeremiah 22:3 (thematic): God’s command to ‘do justice, deliver the oppressed… do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow’ responds to the same social injustice Isaiah condemns.
- Amos 2:6 (thematic): Prophetic denunciation of selling the righteous and taking a widow’s house parallels Isaiah’s indictment of exploiting the poor and despoiling widows and orphans.
- Zechariah 7:10 (verbal): Explicit prohibition ‘do not oppress the widow or the fatherless’ closely mirrors Isaiah’s language condemning abuse of widows and the fatherless.
Alternative generated candidates
- To pervert justice for the poor and to rob the afflicted of my people of their rights, to make the widow their spoil and to plunder the fatherless.
- to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil and that they may plunder the fatherless.
Isa.10.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- תעשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- ליום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פקדה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולשואה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ממרחק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תבוא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- תנוסו: VERB,qal,impf,2,pl
- לעזרה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואנה: ADV,interr
- תעזבו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- כבודכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,2,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 10:4 (verbal): Immediate context: continues the taunt of rhetorical questions about the day of punishment and loss of honor—same theme and language of helplessness when judgment comes.
- Isaiah 2:12-22 (thematic): The 'day of the LORD' humbles human pride; people hide, cast away their idols and the things in which they trusted—parallels the question of where to flee and the forfeiture of human glory.
- Joel 2:1,11 (thematic): Joel depicts a devastating army and a 'great and terrible day of the LORD' coming from afar; the unstoppable judgment and imagery of inescapable catastrophe echo 'a devastation that comes from afar' and the futility of seeking help.
- Zephaniah 2:3 (thematic): Calls the humble to seek the LORD 'perhaps you shall be hidden in the day of the LORD's anger'—directly engages the idea of fleeing or finding refuge on the day of divine punishment.
Alternative generated candidates
- What will you do on the day of reckoning, and on the ruin that comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help, and where will you leave your glory?
- What will you do on the day of reckoning, when devastation comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help, and where will you leave your glory?
Isa.10.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בלתי: NEG
- כרע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תחת: PREP
- אסיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותחת: CONJ+PREP
- הרוגים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יפלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אפו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff3ms
- ועוד: CONJ
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- נטויה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 10:5-6 (structural): Immediate context: the Aramean/Assyrian power is explicitly called the "rod of my anger" and described as God's instrument to punish—explains why prisoners and slain fall yet the hand remains outstretched.
- Habakkuk 1:6-7 (thematic): Depicts a brutal, God‑raised nation that sweeps in violently, seizing spoil and bringing slaughter and captivity—parallels the image of relentless violence and prisoners/slain in Isa 10:4.
- Exodus 9:15 (verbal): Uses the idiom of an outstretched hand to execute punishment ("I will stretch out my hand"); parallels the language of a hand still stretched out as a figure for continued hostile action.
- Psalm 2:9 (verbal): Speaks of breaking nations with a rod ("rod of iron"); echoes Isaiah's portrayal of a foreign power as the rod/agent of divine anger that crushes peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- Only to crouch among prisoners and to fall among the slain; in spite of all this his anger did not turn away, and his hand remained outstretched.
- Only those bowed down under the captive and those fallen among the slain—yet his anger did not turn away, and his hand is still outstretched.
All the people know—Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria—proud and haughty in heart, who say,
“The bricks have fallen; we will rebuild with hewn stone. The sycamores are cut down; we will replace them with cedars.”
Therefore the LORD will raise up the adversaries of Rezin against them, and will stir up their enemies.
Aram from the east and the Philistines from the west—they devour Israel with an open mouth; yet his anger is not turned away, and his hand is still outstretched.
The people do not turn back until he strikes them; they did not seek the LORD of hosts.
Therefore the LORD has cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and reed—both in one day.
The elder and honored man is the head; the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
The leaders of this people lead them astray, and their counselors swallow them up.
Therefore the LORD will not rejoice over their young men, nor will he have mercy on their orphans and widows; for all are faithless and evil, and every mouth speaks folly—yet his anger is not turned away, and his hand is still outstretched.
For a burning like the blaze of thorn and brier has kindled; it devours, sets the thickets of the forest on fire, and rolls up in a towering smoke.
By the burning of the anger of the LORD of hosts the land is burned up, and the people become fuel for the fire; one does not spare his brother.
A decree is against the right hand—famine; against the left—consumption; man shall eat the flesh of his own offspring.
Manasseh with Ephraim, and Ephraim with Manasseh—they together are against Judah; yet his anger is not turned away, and his hand is still outstretched.
Woe to those who frame unjust laws, who write oppressive decrees,
to turn aside the rights of the needy and to rob my people of justice, making widows their prey and fathers’ children their spoil.
What will you do on the day of visitation, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help, and where will you leave your glory?
You will crouch under the captor and fall among the slain; yet his anger is not turned away, and his hand is still outstretched.