A Child Is Born
Isaiah 9
Isaiah proclaims that a great light will shine on a people walking in darkness, for a child is born whose government and peace will have no end upon the throne of David, yet the surrounding verses describe the Lord's continuing anger at the pride and unrepentance of Israel and Ephraim. The chapter closes with a nation torn by internal strife and violence, its leaders and false teachers held responsible while the Lord's hand remains stretched out in judgment.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomsonye people who walk in darkness, behold! a great light! and ye who dwell in a region, the shade of death, on you a light shall shine.
BrentonO people walking in darkness, behold a great light: ye that dwell in the region and shadow of death, a light shall shine upon you.
GreekὉ λαὸς ὁ πορευόμενος ἐν σκότει, ἴδετε φῶς μέγα· οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν χώρᾳ σκιᾷ θανάτου, φῶς λάμψει ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς.
KJVThe people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
JPSThe people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
2
ThomsonWith regard to the bulk of the people, whom Thou hast brought back in Thy joy, they shall rejoice in Thy presence, like them who rejoice in the harvest, and like them who are dividing spoils;
BrentonThe multitude of the people which thou hast brought down in thy joy, they shall even rejoice before thee as they that rejoice in harvest, and as they that divide the spoil.
GreekΤὸ πλεῖστον τοῦ λαοῦ, ὃ κατήγαγες ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ σου· καὶ εὐφρανθήσονται ἐνώπιόν σου, ὡς οἱ εὐφραινόμενοι ἐν ἀμήτῳ, καὶ ὃν τρόπον οἱ διαιρούμενοι σκῦλα.
KJVThou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
JPSThou hast multiplied the nation, Thou hast increased their joy; they joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
3
Thomsonbecause the yoke which lay upon them, is taken away, and the rod which was over their neck. For He hath broken the rod of the exactors, as in the day of Madiam:
BrentonBecause the yoke that was laid upon them has been taken away, and the rod that was on their neck: for he has broken the rod of the exactors, as in the day of Madiam.
GreekΔιότι ἀφῄρηται ὁ ζυγὸς ὁ ἐπʼ αὐτῶν κείμενος, καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος ἡ ἐπὶ τοῦ τραχήλου αὐτῶν· τὴν γὰρ ῥάβδον τῶν ἀπαιτούντων διεσκέδασεν, ὡς τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἐπὶ Μαδιάμ.
KJVFor thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
JPSFor the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, Thou hast broken as in the day of Midian.
4
Thomsonfor, with a renewal of friendship, they shall make compensation for every robe collected by deceit, and for every garment; and shall be willing to do so, if they were burned with fire:
BrentonFor they shall compensate for every garment that has been acquired by deceit, and all raiment with restitution; and they shall be willing, even if they were burnt with fire.
GreekὍτι πᾶσαν στολὴν ἐπισυνήγμένην δόλῳ, καὶ ἱμάτιον μετὰ καταλλαγῆς ἀποτίσουσι· καὶ θελήσουσιν, εἰ ἐγένοντο πυρίκαυστοι.
KJV—
JPS—
5
ThomsonBecause for us a child is born, and to us a son is given, whose government is on his own shoulder; and his name is called The Messenger of Great Counsel. For I will bring peace on the rulers and health for him.
BrentonFor a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder: and his name is called the Messenger of great counsel: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to him.
GreekὍτι παιδίον ἐγεννήθη ἡμῖν, υἱὸς καὶ ἐδόθη ἡμῖν, οὗ ἡ ἀρχὴ ἐγενήθη ἐπὶ τοῦ ὤμου αὐτοῦ, καὶ καλεῖται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, Μεγάλης βουλῆς ἄγγελος· ἄξω γὰρ εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας, καὶ ὑγίειαν αὐτῷ.
KJVFor 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.
JPSFor a child is born unto us, a son is given unto us; and the government is upon his shoulder; and his name is called Pele-joez-el-gibbor Abi-ad-sar-shalom;
6
ThomsonHis government shall be great and to his peace there is no boundary, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to re-establish it, and support it with judgment and justice, henceforth and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.
BrentonHis government shall be great, and of his peace there is no end: it shall be upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to support it with judgment and with righteousness, from henceforth and for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this.
GreekΜεγάλη ἡ ἀρχὴ αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῆς εἰρήνης αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ὅριον· ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον Δαυεὶδ, καὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ, κατορθῶσαι αὐτὴν, καὶ ἀντιλαβέσθαι ἐν κρίματι καὶ ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· ὁ ζῆλος Κυρίου σαβαὼθ ποιήσει ταῦτα.
KJVOf 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.
JPSThat the government may be increased, and of peace there be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it through justice and through righteousness From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts doth perform this.
7
ThomsonThe Lord hath sent death against Jacob; and it hath come upon Israel.
BrentonThe Lord has sent death upon Jacob, and it has come upon Israel.
GreekΘάνατον ἀπέστειλε Κύριος ἐπὶ Ἰακώβ, καὶ ἦλθεν ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVThe Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
JPSThe Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
8
ThomsonAnd all the people of Ephraim shall know it, and all the inhabitants of Samaria, who with haughtiness and a lofty heart say,
BrentonAnd all the people of Ephraim, and they that dwelt in Samaria shall know, who say in their pride and lofty heart,
GreekΚαὶ γνώσονται πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τοῦ Ἐφραὶμ, καὶ οἱ καθήμενοι ἐν Σαμαρείᾳ, ἐφʼ ὕβρει καὶ ὑψηλῇ καρδίᾳ λέγοντες,
KJVAnd all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
JPSAnd all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in pride and in arrogancy of heart:
9
ThomsonThe bricks are fallen; but come, let us hew stones and let us cut down sycamores and cedars and build for ourselves a tower.
BrentonThe bricks are fallen down, but come, let us hew stones, and cut down sycamores and cedars, and let us build for ourselves a tower.
Greekπλίνθοι πεπτώκασιν, ἀλλὰ δεῦτε λαξεύσωμεν λίθους, καὶ κόψωμεν συκαμίνους καὶ κέδρους, καὶ οἰκοδομήσωμεν ἑαυτοῖς πύργον.
KJVThe bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
JPS‘The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but cedars will we put in their place.’
10
ThomsonThough God will dash down them, who rise up against Him on Mount Sion; and disperse His enemies—
BrentonAnd God shall dash down them that rise up against him on mount Sion, and shall scatter his enemies;
GreekΚαὶ ῥάξει ὁ Θεὸς τοὺς ἐπανισταμένους ἐπὶ ὄρος Σιὼν ἐπὶ αὐτὸν, καὶ τοὺς ἐχθροὺς διασκεδάσει·
KJV—
JPS—
11
ThomsonSyria in the east, and the Greeks in the west, who are devouring Israel with open mouth; for all this His anger is not turned away, but still His hand is lifted high.
Brentoneven Syria from the rising of the sun, and the Greeks from the setting of the sun, who devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but still his hand is exalted.
GreekΣυρίαν ἀφʼ ἡλίου ἀνατολῶν, καὶ τοὺς Ἕλληνας ἀφʼ ἡλίου δυσμῶν, τοὺς κατεσθίοντας τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ὅλῳ τῷ στόματι· ἐπὶ πᾶσι τούτοις οὐκ ἀπεστράφη ὁ θυμὸς, ἀλλʼ ἔτι ἡ χεὶρ ὑψηλή.
KJVThe 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 hand is stretched out still.
JPSThe Arameans on the east, and the Philistines on the west; and they devour Israel with open mouth. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.
12
ThomsonThe people did not turn till they were smitten; as they indeed did not seek the Lord;
BrentonBut the people turned not until they were smitten, and they sought not the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ὁ λαὸς οὐκ ἀπεστράφη, ἕως ἐπλήγη, καὶ τὸν κύριον οὐκ ἐζήτησαν.
KJV—
JPS—
13
Thomsontherefore the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail, great and little in one day—
BrentonSo the Lord took away from Israel the head and tail, great and small, in one day:
GreekΚαὶ ἀφεῖλε Κύριος ἀπὸ Ἰσραὴλ κεφαλὴν καὶ οὐρὰν, μέγαν καὶ μικρὸν, ἐν μιᾷ ἡμέρᾳ, πρεσβύτην, καὶ τοὺς τὰ πρόσωπα θαυμάζοντας, αὕτη ἡ ἀρχή·
KJVTherefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
JPSTherefore the LORD doth cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day.
14
Thomsonthe aged and the honourable, this was the head; and the prophet who teacheth falsehood, he is the tail.
Brentonthe old man, and them that respect persons, this is the head; and the prophet teaching unlawful things, he is the tail.
Greekκαὶ προφήτην διδάσκοντα ἄνομα, οὗτος ἡ οὐρά.
KJVThe ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
JPSThe elder and the man of rank, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
15
ThomsonStill there will be deceivers who will call this people happy, and lead them astray, that they may devour them;
BrentonAnd they that pronounce this people blessed shall mislead them; and they mislead them that they may devour them.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσονται οἱ μακαρίζοντες τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον πλανῶντες, καὶ πλανῶσιν, ὅπως καταπίνωσιν αὐτούς.
KJV—
JPS—
16
Thomsontherefore the Lord will have no pleasure in their young men; and on their orphans and their widows He will have no compassion because they are all wicked and regardless of law, and every mouth speaketh perversely. For all this His wrath is not turned away, but still His hand is lifted high.
BrentonTherefore the Lord shall not take pleasure in their young men, neither shall he have pity on their orphans or on their widows: for they are all transgressors and wicked, and every mouth speaks unjustly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is yet exalted.
GreekΔιατοῦτο ἐπὶ τοὺς νεανίσκους αὐτῶν οὐκ εὐφρανθήσεται ὁ Κύριος, καὶ τοὺς ὀρφανοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ τὰς χήρας αὐτῶν οὐκ ἐλεήσει· ὅτι πάντε ἄνομοι καὶ πονηροί, καὶ πᾶν στόμα λαλεῖ ἄδικα· ἐπὶ πᾶσι τούτοις οὐκ ἀπεστράφη ὁ θυμός, ἀλλʼ ἔτι ἡ χεὶρ ὑψηλή.
KJVTherefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
JPSTherefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall He have compassion on their fatherless and widows; For every one is ungodly and an evil-doer, And every mouth speaketh wantonness. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.
17
ThomsonStill iniquity will burn like a fire, and like dry stubble it shall be consumed by fire. It shall burn in the thickets of the forest, and consume all on the hills around.
BrentonAnd iniquity shall burn as fire, and shall be devoured by fire as dry grass: and it shall burn in the thickets of the wood, and shall devour all that is round about the hills.
GreekΚαὶ καυθήσεται ὡς πῦρ ἡ ἀνομία, καὶ ὡς ἄγρωστις ξηρὰ βρωθήσεται ὑπὸ πυρός· καὶ καυθήσεται ἐν τοῖς δάσεσι τοῦ δρυμοῦ, καὶ συγκαταφάγεται τὰ κύκλῳ τῶν βουνῶν πάντα.
KJV—
JPS—
18
ThomsonBy reason of the fierce anger of the Lord the whole country is in a flame; and the people shall be as fuel for the fire. A man will have no pity for his brother,
BrentonThe whole earth is set on fire because of the fierce anger of the Lord, and the people shall be as men burnt by fire: no man shall pity his brother.
GreekΔιὰ θυμὸν ὀργῆς Κυρίου συγκέκαυται ἡ γῆ ὅλη· καὶ ἔσται ὁ λαὸς ὡς κατακεκαυμένος ὑπὸ πυρὸς· ἄνθρωπος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐλεήσει.
KJVThrough the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
JPSThrough the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land burnt up; the people also are as the fuel of fire; No man spareth his brother.
19
Thomsonbut will turn to the right because he is hungry, and devour on the left, but shall not be satisfied. Man is devouring the flesh of his brother’s arm;
BrentonBut one shall turn aside to the right hand, for he shall be hungry; and shall eat on the left, and a man shall by no means be satisfied with eating the flesh of his own arm.
GreekἈλλὰ ἐκκλινεῖ εἰς τὰ δεξιά, ὅτι πεινάσει, καὶ φάγεται ἐκ τῶν ἀριστερῶν, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐμπλησθῇ ἄνθρωπος ἔσθων τὰς σάρκας τοῦ βραχίονος αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd 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:
JPSAnd one snatcheth on the right hand, and is hungry; and he eateth on the left hand, and is not satisfied; they eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
20
Thomsonfor Manasses is devouring Ephraim, and Ephraim, Manasses; for they will both together besiege Juda. For all this His anger is not turned away; but still His hand is lifted high.
BrentonFor Manasses shall eat the flesh of Ephraim, and Ephraim the flesh of Manasses; for they shall besiege Juda together. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is yet exalted.
GreekΦάγεται γὰρ Μανασσῆς τοῦ Ἐφραὶμ, καὶ Ἐφραὶμ τοῦ Μανασσῆ, ὅτι ἅμα πολιορκήσουσι τὸν Ἰούδαν. ἐπὶ τούτοις πᾶσιν οὐκ ἀπεστράφη ὁ θυμός, ἀλλʼ ἔτι ἡ χεὶρ ὑψηλή.
KJVManasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
JPSManasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together are against Judah. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.