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Judges 7:2
And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people thatare with theeare too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

1 Samuel 14:20
And Saul and all the people thatwere with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow,and there was a very great discomfiture.

2 Kings 15:30
And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.

for all this

Isaiah 9:12,17
The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his handis stretched out still…

Isaiah 5:25
Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcaseswere torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his handis stretched out still.

Isaiah 10:4
Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his handis stretched out still.

together they turn against Judah.
The northern tribes, despite their internal conflicts, unite in hostility against Judah, the southern kingdom. This reflects the historical tensions between the two kingdoms following the division after Solomon's reign. The animosity between Israel and Judah is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often resulting in military conflicts and political alliances with foreign powers. This phrase underscores the broader theme of division among God's people and the failure to maintain unity and peace. It also foreshadows the eventual downfall of both kingdoms due to their collective unfaithfulness.

Despite all this, His anger is not turned away;
This part of the verse emphasizes the persistent nature of God's judgment against Israel. Despite the internal and external conflicts, the people have not repented, and thus God's anger remains. This reflects the prophetic theme of divine justice and the need for genuine repentance. The phrase suggests that the consequences of sin are not easily removed without a true return to God. It serves as a warning that God's patience has limits and that continued disobedience will lead to further judgment.

His hand is still upraised.
The imagery of God's hand being upraised signifies ongoing judgment and the readiness to continue executing justice. In biblical literature, the hand of God often represents power and authority. Here, it indicates that God's intervention is not yet complete, and further consequences are imminent if the people do not change their ways. This phrase serves as a call to repentance, urging the people to recognize the seriousness of their situation and turn back to God. It also highlights the theme of divine sovereignty, reminding the audience that God is in control and His purposes will ultimately prevail.

- The two half-tribes came from the same father, Joseph, yet Isaiah pictures them “devouring” one another—civil war and fratricide within the Northern Kingdom.

- Earlier conflicts foreshadowed this (Judges 12:1-6; “the men of Ephraim… fought against Gilead”), andIsaiah 9:19 has just lamented, “No one spares his brother.”

- God had warned that sin would bring internal ruin (Leviticus 26:17). Here, the warning is literally fulfilled: their own swords become God’s rod of discipline (compare2 Chronicles 28:6, where Pekah of Israel slaughters 120,000 in Judah in one day).

- The wording flips to show the hostility runs both directions. Nobody is innocent; everyone is consuming the other to survive.

-Hosea 10:2 echoes the theme: “Their hearts are deceitful; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will demolish their altars.”

- The picture is of a nation so turned inward by idolatry and pride that even family bonds are sacrificed (Matthew 24:12 reminds that “because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold”).

- When not killing each other, the northern tribes unite to attack their southern kinsmen (2 Kings 16:5;2 Chronicles 28:5-8).

- The prophecy underscores Judah’s isolation: the very people who should support her press the attack.

- This fulfillsAmos 1:11, where Edom is judged “because he pursued his brother with the sword.” Israel now behaves like Edom toward Judah.

- The refrain repeats fromIsaiah 5:25: “Yet His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.” Persistent sin keeps judgment active.

- Covenant curses promised escalating discipline if the people remained defiant (Leviticus 26:21-24). Their refusal to repent—despite famine, war, and internal strife—means God’s righteous anger continues.

-Romans 2:5 warns of “storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath,” showing the principle is timeless.

- The upraised hand is a vivid image of ongoing action; God is mid-stroke, not finished.

-Exodus 6:6 presents the same hand delivering judgment on Egypt, proving the Lord’s hand can rescue or strike.

-Psalm 75:8 pictures a cup in God’s hand: “He pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its dregs.” Isaiah tells us that cup has not been drained yet for Israel.

-Hebrews 10:31 concludes, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” a sober reminder that divine patience has limits.

Isaiah 9:21 portrays a nation eating itself alive—tribe against tribe, then all against Judah—while God’s anger remains because sin remains. The literal conflicts among Manasseh and Ephraim expose the destructive power of rebellion, and the upraised hand of the Lord shows judgment is not a momentary flash but a sustained response until repentance occurs. The verse calls readers to see the faithfulness of God’s warnings and to seek the mercy that only His still-extended hand can provide before it falls in full judgment.

Parallel Commentaries ...