Isaiah 9:14

Cut off from Israel. Because Israel failed to repent, the Lord had no recourse but to send further judgments, which would cut off from them both “head and tail” (see on v. 13). The nation would be utterly destroyed, with the judgments falling particularly upon those who had led the nation astray (see v. 16).

Branch and rush. The “branch” was probably that of the stately palm, answering to the nobles and rulers of the land. The “rush,” or reed, may refer to an affected lowliness (ch. 58:5), or, according to ch. 9:14, 15, to the false prophets.