(א) הֵ֤ן עַבְדִּי֙ אֶתְמָךְ־בּ֔וֹ בְּחִירִ֖י רָצְתָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֑י נָתַ֤תִּי רוּחִי֙ עָלָ֔יו מִשְׁפָּ֖ט לַגּוֹיִ֥ם יוֹצִֽיא׃ (ב) לֹ֥א יִצְעַ֖ק וְלֹ֣א יִשָּׂ֑א וְלֹֽא־יַשְׁמִ֥יעַ בַּח֖וּץ קוֹלֽוֹ׃ (ג) קָנֶ֤ה רָצוּץ֙ לֹ֣א יִשְׁבּ֔וֹר וּפִשְׁתָּ֥ה כֵהָ֖ה לֹ֣א יְכַבֶּ֑נָּה לֶאֱמֶ֖ת יוֹצִ֥יא מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ (ד) לֹ֤א יִכְהֶה֙ וְלֹ֣א יָר֔וּץ עַד־יָשִׂ֥ים בָּאָ֖רֶץ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּלְתוֹרָת֖וֹ אִיִּ֥ים יְיַחֵֽילוּ׃ (פ) (ה) כֹּֽה־אָמַ֞ר הָאֵ֣ל ׀ יְהוָ֗ה בּוֹרֵ֤א הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ וְנ֣וֹטֵיהֶ֔ם רֹקַ֥ע הָאָ֖רֶץ וְצֶאֱצָאֶ֑יהָ נֹתֵ֤ן נְשָׁמָה֙ לָעָ֣ם עָלֶ֔יהָ וְר֖וּחַ לַהֹלְכִ֥ים בָּֽהּ׃ (ו) אֲנִ֧י יְהוָ֛ה קְרָאתִ֥יךָֽ בְצֶ֖דֶק וְאַחְזֵ֣ק בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וְאֶצָּרְךָ֗ וְאֶתֶּנְךָ֛ לִבְרִ֥ית עָ֖ם לְא֥וֹר גּוֹיִֽם׃ (ז) לִפְקֹ֖חַ עֵינַ֣יִם עִוְר֑וֹת לְהוֹצִ֤יא מִמַּסְגֵּר֙ אַסִּ֔יר מִבֵּ֥ית כֶּ֖לֶא יֹ֥שְׁבֵי חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃
(1) This is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen one, in whom I delight. I have put My spirit upon him, He shall teach the true way to the nations. (2) He shall not cry out or shout aloud, Or make his voice heard in the streets. (3) He shall not break even a bruised reed, Or snuff out even a dim wick. He shall bring forth the true way. (4) He shall not grow dim or be bruised Till he has established the true way on earth; And the coastlands shall await his teaching. (5) Thus said God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and what it brings forth, Who gave breath to the people upon it And life to those who walk thereon: (6) I the LORD, in My grace, have summoned you, And I have grasped you by the hand. I created you, and appointed you A covenant people, a light of nations— (7) Opening eyes deprived of light, Rescuing prisoners from confinement, From the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible: Isaiah 42
1 Look, My servant, I have stayed him up, My chosen one, I have greatly favored. I have set My spirit on him, he shall bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He shall not cry out nor raise his voice nor let his voice be heard abroad.
3 A shattered reed he shall not break nor a guttering wick put out. In truth he shall bring forth justice.
4 He shall not gutter nor shall he be smashed till he sets out justice on earth and the coastlands yearn for his teaching.
5 Thus said God, the LORD, Creator of the heavens, He stretches them out, lays down the earth and its offspring, gives breath to the people upon it and life-breath to those who walk on it.
6 I the LORD have called you in righteousness and held your hand, and preserved you and made you a covenant for peoples and a light of the nations,
7 to open blind eyes, to bring out the captive from prison, those sitting in darkness from dungeons.
1 Look, My servant, I have stayed him up, My chosen one, I have greatly favored. I have set My spirit on him, he shall bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He shall not cry out nor raise his voice nor let his voice be heard abroad.
3 A shattered reed he shall not break nor a guttering wick put out. In truth he shall bring forth justice.
4 He shall not gutter nor shall he be smashed till he sets out justice on earth and the coastlands yearn for his teaching.
5 Thus said God, the LORD, Creator of the heavens, He stretches them out, lays down the earth and its offspring, gives breath to the people upon it and life-breath to those who walk on it.
6 I the LORD have called you in righteousness and held your hand, and preserved you and made you a covenant for peoples and a light of the nations,
7 to open blind eyes, to bring out the captive from prison, those sitting in darkness from dungeons.
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible Commentary: Isaiah 42
1. My servant. The servant of the LORD, ʿeved YHWH, will become an important motif in the prophecies of Second Isaiah. Although some scholars have proposed that the reference here is to Cyrus II, it seems more likely, and more in keeping with later uses of this designation, that the servant is Israel, or perhaps an exemplary leader who will arise from the people. The idea in verses 2–3 that the servant will not raise his voice or so much as break an already shattered reed scarcely accords with Cyrus commanding a powerful conquering army.
greatly favored. The adverb is added to intimate the intensifying effect of nafshi, not just “I” but “my very self.”
2. raise his voice. The Hebrew merely says raise, but this is surely elliptical for “raise his voice,” a common biblical idiom.
4. nor shall he be smashed. This received text appears to say “nor shall he run,” weloʾ yaruts, but the verb is probably mistakenly vocalized and should be read yeirots, “be smashed.”
6. a covenant for peoples. Literally, this should be a “people’s covenant” as the received text shows, but the phrase is a little peculiar. The Qumran Isaiah instead of the Masoretic brit-ʿam reads brit-ʿolam, “an everlasting covenant.”
7. to open blind eyes. This is not an eschatological granting of vision to the sightless but rather the imparting of the gift of sight to those who have been plunged in the darkness of a dungeon.
to bring out the captive from prison. Here and elsewhere, prison is probably used metaphorically as an image of exile.
1. My servant. The servant of the LORD, ʿeved YHWH, will become an important motif in the prophecies of Second Isaiah. Although some scholars have proposed that the reference here is to Cyrus II, it seems more likely, and more in keeping with later uses of this designation, that the servant is Israel, or perhaps an exemplary leader who will arise from the people. The idea in verses 2–3 that the servant will not raise his voice or so much as break an already shattered reed scarcely accords with Cyrus commanding a powerful conquering army.
greatly favored. The adverb is added to intimate the intensifying effect of nafshi, not just “I” but “my very self.”
2. raise his voice. The Hebrew merely says raise, but this is surely elliptical for “raise his voice,” a common biblical idiom.
4. nor shall he be smashed. This received text appears to say “nor shall he run,” weloʾ yaruts, but the verb is probably mistakenly vocalized and should be read yeirots, “be smashed.”
6. a covenant for peoples. Literally, this should be a “people’s covenant” as the received text shows, but the phrase is a little peculiar. The Qumran Isaiah instead of the Masoretic brit-ʿam reads brit-ʿolam, “an everlasting covenant.”
7. to open blind eyes. This is not an eschatological granting of vision to the sightless but rather the imparting of the gift of sight to those who have been plunged in the darkness of a dungeon.
to bring out the captive from prison. Here and elsewhere, prison is probably used metaphorically as an image of exile.
Endtime Prophecy (p. 88) Gileadi. Avraham
He who summons God’s elect from dispersion and gathers them in the new exodus to Zion is his endtime servant—a latter-day David: “I will make with you an everlasting covenant: [my] loving fidelity toward David. See, I have appointed him as a witness to the nations, a prince and lawgiver of the peoples. You will summon a nation that you did not know; a nation that did not know you will hasten to you—because of Jehovah your God, the Holy One of Israel, who gloriously endows you” (Isaiah 55:3–5; cf. 52:11–13) ...God’s servant establishes God’s kingdom by assembling a righteous remnant of his people “from the four directions of the earth” (Isaiah 11:12). That new “nation”—called Zion and Jerusalem—is “born” or reborn in God’s Day of Judgment (Isaiah 66:8).
| KJV 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. | 3 |
IIT (Isaiah Institute Translation) 55:3 Give ear and come unto me; pay heed, that your souls may live!And I will make with you an everlasting covenant:my loving fidelity toward David. |
הַטּוּ אָזְנְכֶם וּלְכוּ אֵלַי שִׁמְעוּ וּתְחִי נַפְשְׁכֶם וְאֶכְרְתָה לָכֶם בְּרִית עוֹלָם חַסְדֵי דָוִד הַנֶּאֱמָנִים ׃ |
| Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. | 4 | See, I have appointed him as a witness to the nations,a prince and lawgiver of the peoples. | הֵן עֵד לְאוּמִּים נְתַתִּיו נָגִיד וּמְצַוֵּה לְאֻמִּים ׃ |
| Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. | 5 | You will summon a nation that you did not know;a nation that did not know you will hasten to you—because of Jehovah your God,the Holy One of Israel, who gloriously endows you. | הֵן גּוֹי לֹא־תֵדַע תִּקְרָא וְגוֹי לֹא־יְדָעוּךָ אֵלֶיךָ יָרוּצוּ לְמַעַן יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְלִקְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי פֵאֲרָךְ ׃ |
(ג) הַטּ֤וּ אָזְנְכֶם֙ וּלְכ֣וּ אֵלַ֔י שִׁמְע֖וּ וּתְחִ֣י נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם וְאֶכְרְתָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ בְּרִ֣ית עוֹלָ֔ם חַֽסְדֵ֥י דָוִ֖ד הַנֶּאֱמָנִֽים׃ (ד) הֵ֛ן עֵ֥ד לְאוּמִּ֖ים נְתַתִּ֑יו נָגִ֥יד וּמְצַוֵּ֖ה לְאֻמִּֽים׃ (ה) הֵ֣ן גּ֤וֹי לֹֽא־תֵדַע֙ תִּקְרָ֔א וְג֥וֹי לֹֽא־יְדָע֖וּךָ אֵלֶ֣יךָ יָר֑וּצוּ לְמַ֙עַן֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ וְלִקְד֥וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כִּ֥י פֵאֲרָֽךְ׃ (ס)
(3) Incline your ear and come to Me; Hearken, and you shall be revived. And I will make with you an everlasting covenant, The enduring loyalty promised to David. (4) As I made him a leader of peoples, A prince and commander of peoples, (5) So you shall summon a nation you did not know, And a nation that did not know you Shall come running to you— For the sake of the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel who has glorified you.
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible
3 Bend your ear and come to Me, listen and be revived, and I will make with you a perpetual pact, the faithful kindness shown to David.
4 Look, I made him witness to the peoples, prince and commander of the peoples.
5 To a nation you knew not you shall call, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, for the sake of the LORD your God and Israel’s Holy One, for He made you glorious.
3 Bend your ear and come to Me, listen and be revived, and I will make with you a perpetual pact, the faithful kindness shown to David.
4 Look, I made him witness to the peoples, prince and commander of the peoples.
5 To a nation you knew not you shall call, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, for the sake of the LORD your God and Israel’s Holy One, for He made you glorious.
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible Commentary:
3. the faithful kindness shown to David. The Hebrew says merely “the faithful kindness of David,” but the clear sense is the faithful kindness, or staunch commitment to the divine promise, that God has shown to David. The poet is not necessarily speaking of a revival of the Davidic dynasty but is invoking God’s commitment to David and his descendants as a model for how He remains committed to His exiled people.
4. witness to the peoples, / prince and commander of the peoples. This would have to be a reference to David’s military dominance, his success in establishing a mini-empire (which biblical writers tend to exaggerate). As David was once a triumphant leader of the nation, Israel will again be triumphant. That notion is perfectly in keeping with the previous prophecies of a restored Israel to which kings to do Israel’s bidding.
3. the faithful kindness shown to David. The Hebrew says merely “the faithful kindness of David,” but the clear sense is the faithful kindness, or staunch commitment to the divine promise, that God has shown to David. The poet is not necessarily speaking of a revival of the Davidic dynasty but is invoking God’s commitment to David and his descendants as a model for how He remains committed to His exiled people.
4. witness to the peoples, / prince and commander of the peoples. This would have to be a reference to David’s military dominance, his success in establishing a mini-empire (which biblical writers tend to exaggerate). As David was once a triumphant leader of the nation, Israel will again be triumphant. That notion is perfectly in keeping with the previous prophecies of a restored Israel to which kings to do Israel’s bidding.
| KJV 52:11Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. | 11 | IIT (Isaiah Institute Translation) 52:11Turn away, depart;touch nothing defiled as you leave Babylon.cCome out of her and be pure,you who bear Jehovah’s vessels. | סוּרוּ סוּרוּ צְאוּ מִשָּׁם טָמֵא אַל־תִּגָּעוּ צְאוּ מִתּוֹכָהּ הִבָּרוּ נֹשְׂאֵי כְּלֵי יְהוָה ׃ |
| For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward. | 12 | But you shall not leave in haste or go in flight:Jehovah will go before you,the God of Israel behind you. | כִּי לֹא בְחִפָּזוֹן תֵּצֵאוּ וּבִמְנוּסָה לֹא תֵלֵכוּן כִּי־הֹלֵךְ לִפְנֵיכֶם יְהוָה וּמְאַסִּפְכֶם אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל ׃ |
| ¶ Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. | 13 | My servant, being astute, shall be highly exalted;he shall become exceedingly eminent: | הִנֵּה יַשְׂכִּיל עַבְדִּי יָרוּם וְנִשָּׂא וְגָבַהּ מְאֹד ׃ |
(יא) ס֤וּרוּ ס֙וּרוּ֙ צְא֣וּ מִשָּׁ֔ם טָמֵ֖א אַל־תִּגָּ֑עוּ צְא֣וּ מִתּוֹכָ֔הּ הִבָּ֕רוּ נֹשְׂאֵ֖י כְּלֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃ (יב) כִּ֣י לֹ֤א בְחִפָּזוֹן֙ תֵּצֵ֔אוּ וּבִמְנוּסָ֖ה לֹ֣א תֵלֵכ֑וּן כִּֽי־הֹלֵ֤ךְ לִפְנֵיכֶם֙ יְהוָ֔ה וּמְאַסִּפְכֶ֖ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (ס) (יג) הִנֵּ֥ה יַשְׂכִּ֖יל עַבְדִּ֑י יָר֧וּם וְנִשָּׂ֛א וְגָבַ֖הּ מְאֹֽד׃
(11) Turn, turn away, touch naught unclean As you depart from there; Keep pure, as you go forth from there, You who bear the vessels of the LORD! (12) For you will not depart in haste, Nor will you leave in flight; For the LORD is marching before you, The God of Israel is your rear guard. (13) “Indeed, My servant shall prosper, Be exalted and raised to great heights.
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible
11 Turn aside, turn aside, come out from there, no unclean thing do touch. Come out from its midst, bearers of the LORD’s vessels.
12 For not in haste shall you come out, nor in flight shall you go, for the LORD goes before you, and your rearguard is Israel’s God.
13 Look, My servant shall prosper, be lofty, exalted, and very high.
11 Turn aside, turn aside, come out from there, no unclean thing do touch. Come out from its midst, bearers of the LORD’s vessels.
12 For not in haste shall you come out, nor in flight shall you go, for the LORD goes before you, and your rearguard is Israel’s God.
13 Look, My servant shall prosper, be lofty, exalted, and very high.
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible Commentary:
11. come out from there. “There” has to be the condition of exile.
12. for the LORD goes before you, / and your rearguard is Israel’s God. This is a purposeful paradox: as you march back to Zion, God both leads the way as vanguard and protects you from behind as rearguard.
11. come out from there. “There” has to be the condition of exile.
12. for the LORD goes before you, / and your rearguard is Israel’s God. This is a purposeful paradox: as you march back to Zion, God both leads the way as vanguard and protects you from behind as rearguard.
| KJV 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. | 12 |
IIT (Isaiah Institute Translation) 11:12 He will raise the ensign to the nations and assemble the exiled of Israel; he will gather the scattered of Judah from the four directions of the earth. |
וְנָשָׂא נֵס לַגּוֹיִם וְאָסַף נִדְחֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּנְפֻצוֹת יְהוּדָה יְקַבֵּץ מֵאַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת הָאָרֶץ ׃ |
| The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. | 13 | Ephraim’s jealousy shall pass away and the hostile ones of Judah be cut off; Ephraim will not envy Judah, nor Judah resent Ephraim. | וְסָרָה קִנְאַת אֶפְרַיִם וְצֹרְרֵי יְהוּדָה יִכָּרֵתוּ אֶפְרַיִם לֹא־יְקַנֵּא אֶת־יְהוּדָה וִיהוּדָה לֹא־יָצֹר אֶת־אֶפְרָיִם |
(יב) וְנָשָׂ֥א נֵס֙ לַגּוֹיִ֔ם וְאָסַ֖ף נִדְחֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּנְפֻצ֤וֹת יְהוּדָה֙ יְקַבֵּ֔ץ מֵאַרְבַּ֖ע כַּנְפ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (יג) וְסָ֙רָה֙ קִנְאַ֣ת אֶפְרַ֔יִם וְצֹרְרֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה יִכָּרֵ֑תוּ אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ לֹֽא־יְקַנֵּ֣א אֶת־יְהוּדָ֔ה וִֽיהוּדָ֖ה לֹֽא־יָצֹ֥ר אֶת־אֶפְרָֽיִם׃
(12) He will hold up a signal to the nations And assemble the banished of Israel, And gather the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth. (13) Then Ephraim’s envy shall cease And Judah’s harassment shall end; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, And Judah shall not harass Ephraim.
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible
12And He shall raise a banner to the nations, and gather the banished of Israel and the dispersed of Judah He shall assemble from the four corners of the earth.
13And the envy of Ephraim shall vanish, and the foes of Judah be cut off. Ephraim shall not envy Judah, nor Judah be hostile to Ephraim.
12And He shall raise a banner to the nations, and gather the banished of Israel and the dispersed of Judah He shall assemble from the four corners of the earth.
13And the envy of Ephraim shall vanish, and the foes of Judah be cut off. Ephraim shall not envy Judah, nor Judah be hostile to Ephraim.
| KJV 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. | 8 |
IIT (Isaiah Institute Translation) 66:8 Who has heard the like, or who has seen such things? Can the earth labor but a day and a nation be born at once? For as soon as she was in labor, Zion gave birth to her children. |
מִי־שָׁמַע כָּזֹאת מִי רָאָה כָּאֵלֶּה הֲיוּחַל אֶרֶץ בְּיוֹם אֶחָד אִם־יִוָּלֵד גּוֹי פַּעַם אֶחָת כִּי־חָלָה גַּם־יָלְדָה צִיּוֹן אֶת־בָּנֶיהָ ׃ |
(ח) מִֽי־שָׁמַ֣ע כָּזֹ֗את מִ֤י רָאָה֙ כָּאֵ֔לֶּה הֲי֤וּחַל אֶ֙רֶץ֙ בְּי֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד אִם־יִוָּ֥לֵֽד גּ֖וֹי פַּ֣עַם אֶחָ֑ת כִּֽי־חָ֛לָה גַּם־יָלְדָ֥ה צִיּ֖וֹן אֶת־בָּנֶֽיהָ׃
(8) Who ever heard the like? Who ever witnessed such events? Can a land pass through travail In a single day? Or is a nation born All at once? Yet Zion travailed And at once bore her children!
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible
8Who heard the like of this, who has seen things like these? Can a land go through birth in a single day, can a nation be born in a single breath? For Zion went into labor, gave birth to her children.
8Who heard the like of this, who has seen things like these? Can a land go through birth in a single day, can a nation be born in a single breath? For Zion went into labor, gave birth to her children.
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible Commentary:
8. in a single breath. Literally, “in one time.”
8. in a single breath. Literally, “in one time.”
Endtime Prophecy (p. 154) Gileadi, Avraham
If “the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage” (TPJS, 339), where in the scriptures is that prophesied? The answer is in Isaiah 9:5–7; 16:5; 22:20–24; 55:3–5, and in all scriptures that predict God’s raising up a latter-day David who restores Israel before Jehovah/Jesus comes to reign on the earth.
If “the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage” (TPJS, 339), where in the scriptures is that prophesied? The answer is in Isaiah 9:5–7; 16:5; 22:20–24; 55:3–5, and in all scriptures that predict God’s raising up a latter-day David who restores Israel before Jehovah/Jesus comes to reign on the earth.
(ה) כִּי־יֶ֣לֶד יֻלַּד־לָ֗נוּ בֵּ֚ן נִתַּן־לָ֔נוּ וַתְּהִ֥י הַמִּשְׂרָ֖ה עַל־שִׁכְמ֑וֹ וַיִּקְרָ֨א שְׁמ֜וֹ פֶּ֠לֶא יוֹעֵץ֙ אֵ֣ל גִּבּ֔וֹר אֲבִיעַ֖ד שַׂר־שָׁלֽוֹם׃ (ו) לםרבה [לְמַרְבֵּ֨ה] הַמִּשְׂרָ֜ה וּלְשָׁל֣וֹם אֵֽין־קֵ֗ץ עַל־כִּסֵּ֤א דָוִד֙ וְעַל־מַמְלַכְתּ֔וֹ לְהָכִ֤ין אֹתָהּ֙ וּֽלְסַעֲדָ֔הּ בְּמִשְׁפָּ֖ט וּבִצְדָקָ֑ה מֵעַתָּה֙ וְעַד־עוֹלָ֔ם קִנְאַ֛ת יְהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת תַּעֲשֶׂה־זֹּֽאת׃ (ס) (ז) דָּבָ֛ר שָׁלַ֥ח אֲדֹנָ֖י בְּיַעֲקֹ֑ב וְנָפַ֖ל בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
(5) For a child has been born to us, A son has been given us. And authority has settled on his shoulders. He has been named “The Mighty God is planning grace; The Eternal Father, a peaceable ruler”— (6) In token of abundant authority And of peace without limit Upon David’s throne and kingdom, That it may be firmly established In justice and in equity Now and evermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts Shall bring this to pass. (7) My Lord Let loose a word against Jacob And it fell upon Israel.
| KJV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. | 6 | IIT For to us a child is born, a son appointed, who will shoulder the burden of government. He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, One Mighty in Valor, a Father for Ever, a Prince of Peace— | כִּי־יֶלֶד יֻלַּד־לָנוּ בֵּן נִתַּן־לָנוּ וַתְּהִי הַמִּשְׂרָה עַל־שִׁכְמוֹ וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ פֶּלֶא יוֹעֵץ אֵל גִּבּוֹר אֲבִיעַד שַׂר־שָׁלוֹם ׃ |
| Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. | 7 | that sovereignty may be peace have no end; that, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, his rule may be established and upheld by justice and righteousness from this time forth and forever. The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts will accomplish it. | לְמַרְבֵּה (לְמַרְבֵּה) הַמִּשְׂרָה וּלְשָׁלוֹם אֵין־קֵץ עַל־כִּסֵּא דָוִד וְעַל־מַמְלַכְתּוֹ לְהָכִין אֹתָהּ וּלְסַעֲדָהּ בְּמִשְׁפָּט וּבִצְדָקָה מֵעַתָּה וְעַד־עוֹלָם קִנְאַת יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת תַּעֲשֶׂה־זֹּאת ׃ |
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible:
5 For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us, and leadership is on his shoulders. And his name is called wondrous councillor, divine warrior, eternal father, prince of peace,
6 making leadership abound and peace without end on the throne of David and over his kingdom to make it firm-founded and stay it up in justice and righteousness, forever more. The zeal of the LORD of Armies shall do this.
7 A word has the Master sent out in Jacob and it has fallen in Israel.
5 For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us, and leadership is on his shoulders. And his name is called wondrous councillor, divine warrior, eternal father, prince of peace,
6 making leadership abound and peace without end on the throne of David and over his kingdom to make it firm-founded and stay it up in justice and righteousness, forever more. The zeal of the LORD of Armies shall do this.
7 A word has the Master sent out in Jacob and it has fallen in Israel.
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible Commentary:
5. a child has been born to us. The child who is born with wondrous qualities and who is to assume leadership is the ideal king who will be a stay against all enemies and establish an enduring reign of and leadership is on his shoulders. This expression reverses the rod of the oppressor on the shoulders in verse 3.
wondrous councillor / divine warrior, eternal father, prince of peace. This string of epithets has been associated by many generations of Christian commentators and readers with Christ. What the prophet has in mind, however, is not “messianic” except in the strictly political sense: he envisages an ideal king from the line of David who will sit on the throne of Judah and oversee a rule of justice and peace. The most challenging epithet in this sequence is ʾel gibor, which appears to say “warrior-god.” The prophet would be violating all biblical usage if he called the Davidic king “God,” and that term is best construed here as some sort of intensifier. In fact, the two words could conceivably be a scribal reversal of gibor ʾel, in which case the second word would clearly function as a suffix of intensification as it occasionally does elsewhere in the Bible.
6. The zeal of the LORD of Armies shall do this. This sentence is a kind of prose coda to the poetic prophecy. It underscores an important theological point: such an ideal ruler can come into being and sit on the throne of David only through God’s zealous intervention.
5. a child has been born to us. The child who is born with wondrous qualities and who is to assume leadership is the ideal king who will be a stay against all enemies and establish an enduring reign of and leadership is on his shoulders. This expression reverses the rod of the oppressor on the shoulders in verse 3.
wondrous councillor / divine warrior, eternal father, prince of peace. This string of epithets has been associated by many generations of Christian commentators and readers with Christ. What the prophet has in mind, however, is not “messianic” except in the strictly political sense: he envisages an ideal king from the line of David who will sit on the throne of Judah and oversee a rule of justice and peace. The most challenging epithet in this sequence is ʾel gibor, which appears to say “warrior-god.” The prophet would be violating all biblical usage if he called the Davidic king “God,” and that term is best construed here as some sort of intensifier. In fact, the two words could conceivably be a scribal reversal of gibor ʾel, in which case the second word would clearly function as a suffix of intensification as it occasionally does elsewhere in the Bible.
6. The zeal of the LORD of Armies shall do this. This sentence is a kind of prose coda to the poetic prophecy. It underscores an important theological point: such an ideal ruler can come into being and sit on the throne of David only through God’s zealous intervention.