Isaiah 9:1

The dimness. In Hebrew Bibles ch. 9:1 is ch. 8:23. Verses 1-7 of 9 are closely related to the closing verses of ch. 8, which present a picture of extreme misery and darkness. In Isaiah’s day the armies of Assyria brought misery and “darkness” (ch. 9:2) to Zebulun and Naphtali, two of the northernmost tribes of Israel. In the realization that this experience came as the result of spiritual darkness, Isaiah, with prophetic eye, looks forward to the “great light” (vs. 2, 6, 7), which will dispel the darkness of men’s souls (John 1:4-9; 8:12; 9:5). The same regions that once saw so much distress will see a revelation of glory and light. The picture is one of the coming of the world’s Messiah with His message of life and hope. Over a world shrouded in darkness (see DA 34, 35) the Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in His wings (Mal. 4:2).

Zebulun. At the time Isaiah wrote these words the land of Israel was in great distress, particularly the border regions to the north and east, for Tiglath-pileser III had invaded the country and had taken “Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria” (2 Kings 15:29).

More grievously afflict. Literally, “cause to be [made, or, considered] more weighty,” that is, here probably, to be given greater consideration and thus to be honored or to be made glorious. The parallel of v. 2 between “darkness” and “light” seems to require a contrast in v. 1 between affliction and honor.

The way of the sea. In ancient times highways were given descriptive names (see Num. 21:22; Deut. 1:2; see on Num. 20:17; Deut. 2:27). Some identify the “way of the sea” with the famous caravan route that led from Damascus and the regions beyond the Jordan, across Galilee, to the Mediterranean Sea (see on Mark 2:14). Others identify “the way of the sea” with the coast road northward to Tyre and Sidon.

Galilee of the nations. The Kedesh mentioned in 2 Kings 15:29 was in Galilee, and was a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7; 21:32). In the days of Solomon the district of Galilee extended to the region of Tyre (1 Kings 9:11). The name “Galilee” means “circle” or “circuit.” In NT times Galilee included a somewhat larger area than formerly. It was called “Galilee of the nations” because it was always inhabited by a mixed populace, only a small portion of whom were Jews. This region, however, was linked to the world by means of roads leading to Damascus, the Euphrates, and Mesopotamia, to Tyre, Asia Minor, and Europe in the north, and to Samaria, Judea, and Egypt in the south. It was in such a region, readily accessible to the world, that Jesus spent much of His time in ministry to mankind.