Isaiah 9:11
New International Version
But the LORD has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on.

New Living Translation
But the LORD will bring Rezin’s enemies against Israel and stir up all their foes.

English Standard Version
But the LORD raises the adversaries of Rezin against him, and stirs up his enemies.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him and joined his enemies together.

King James Bible
Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;

New King James Version
Therefore the LORD shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on,

New American Standard Bible
Therefore the LORD raises superior adversaries against them from Rezin And provokes their enemies,

NASB 1995
Therefore the LORD raises against them adversaries from Rezin And spurs their enemies on,

NASB 1977
Therefore the LORD raises against them adversaries from Rezin, And spurs their enemies on,

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore Yahweh exalts against them adversaries from Rezin And incites their enemies,

Amplified Bible
Therefore the LORD raises against Ephraim adversaries from Rezin [king of Aram] And spurs their enemies on,

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD has raised up Rezin’s adversaries against him and stirred up his enemies.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD has raised up Rezin’s adversaries against him and stirred up his enemies.

American Standard Version
Therefore Jehovah will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies,

Contemporary English Version
The LORD made their enemies attack them.

English Revised Version
Therefore the LORD shall set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and shall stir up his enemies;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD will set Rezin's oppressors against Israel and will stir up its enemies-

Good News Translation
The LORD has stirred up their enemies to attack them.

International Standard Version
But the LORD has raised adversaries from Rezin against him, and he stirs up his enemies—

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him and joined his enemies together.

NET Bible
Then the LORD provoked their adversaries to attack them, he stirred up their enemies--

New Heart English Bible
Therefore the LORD will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies,

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore the LORD will set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;

World English Bible
Therefore Yahweh will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH sets the adversaries of Rezin on high above him, "" And he joins his enemies together,

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah setteth the adversaries of Rezin on high above him, And his enemies he joineth together,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will set on high the adversaries of Rezin against him, and he will arouse his enemies:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord shall set up the enemies of Rasin over him, and shall bring on his enemies in a crowd:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord will raise up the enemies of Rezin over him, and he will turn his adversaries into a tumult:

New American Bible
So the LORD raises up their foes against them and stirs up their enemies to action—

New Revised Standard Version
So the LORD raised adversaries against them, and stirred up their enemies,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore the LORD shall cause the adversaries of Rezin to prevail against him, and incite his enemies,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH shall strengthen the oppressors of Retsan against him, and he shall provoke his enemies
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore the LORD doth set upon high the adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And God shall dash down them that rise up against him on mount Sion, and shall scatter his enemies;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment Against Israel's Pride
10“The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with finished stone; the sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” 11The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him and joined his enemies together. 12Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.…

Cross References
2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria.

2 Kings 17:5-6
Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. / In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.

2 Kings 18:9-12
In the fourth year of Hezekiah’s reign, which was the seventh year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and besieged it. / And at the end of three years, the Assyrians captured it. So Samaria was captured in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel. / The king of Assyria exiled the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes. ...

Hosea 5:13
When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.

Hosea 7:11
So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.

Hosea 8:9
For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey on its own. Ephraim has hired lovers.

Amos 3:11
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: “An enemy will surround the land; he will pull down your strongholds and plunder your citadels.”

Amos 5:27
Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the LORD, whose name is the God of Hosts.

Micah 5:5-6
And He will be our peace when Assyria invades our land and tramples our citadels. We will raise against it seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men. / And they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn. So He will deliver us when Assyria invades our land and marches into our borders.

Jeremiah 4:16-17
Warn the nations now! Proclaim to Jerusalem: “A besieging army comes from a distant land; they raise their voices against the cities of Judah. / They surround her like men guarding a field, because she has rebelled against Me,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 5:15-17
Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand. / Their quivers are like open graves; they are all mighty men. / They will devour your harvest and food; they will consume your sons and daughters; they will eat up your flocks and herds; they will feed on your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust.”

Jeremiah 6:22-23
This is what the LORD says: “Behold, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is stirred up from the ends of the earth. / They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Zion.”

Matthew 11:21-24
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ...

Luke 10:13-15
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades!

Acts 13:40-41
Watch out, then, that what was spoken by the prophets does not happen to you: / ‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;

set up

Isaiah 8:4-7
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria…

Isaiah 10:9-11
Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus? …

Isaiah 17:1-5
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap…

join.

Jump to Previous
Adversaries Arm Cause Driving Enemies Foes Haters High Israel Join Raises Rezin Spur Spurred Spurs Stir Stirs Strengthened Strong Together War
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Adversaries Arm Cause Driving Enemies Foes Haters High Israel Join Raises Rezin Spur Spurred Spurs Stir Stirs Strengthened Strong Together War
Isaiah 9
1. What joy shall be in the midst of afflictions, by the birth and kingdom of Christ
8. The judgments upon Israel for their pride
13. For their hypocrisy
18. And for their unrepentance














The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him
In this context, "the LORD" refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is sovereign over all nations and events. The phrase indicates divine intervention where God actively orchestrates the rise of adversaries. Rezin was the king of Aram (Syria), and his reign is historically placed in the 8th century BC. The foes mentioned are likely the Assyrians, whom God uses as instruments of judgment against both Aram and Israel. This reflects the biblical theme of God using foreign nations to accomplish His purposes, as seen in other instances like the Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 25:9). Theologically, it underscores God's control over history and His ability to use even those outside the covenant community to fulfill His plans.

and joined his enemies together
This phrase suggests a coalition or alliance of adversaries against Rezin. Historically, this could refer to the Assyrian Empire's expansion under Tiglath-Pileser III, who conquered Damascus and executed Rezin around 732 BC. The uniting of enemies can be seen as a fulfillment of divine prophecy, where God brings together various forces to achieve His judgment. This reflects the broader biblical narrative where God often uses alliances, whether for or against Israel, to bring about His divine will (e.g., the coalition of nations in Psalm 83). Culturally, alliances were common in the ancient Near East as smaller states often banded together for mutual defense against larger empires. This passage highlights the futility of relying on human alliances instead of trusting in God's sovereignty.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The sovereign God of Israel, who is actively involved in the affairs of nations and individuals.

2. Rezin
The king of Aram (Syria) during the time of Isaiah, who was an adversary of Israel.

3. Foes of Rezin
These are the enemies that God raises up against Rezin, indicating divine intervention in geopolitical affairs.

4. Enemies
Refers to the collective adversaries that God uses to fulfill His purposes against Rezin and, by extension, against Israel for their disobedience.

5. Israel
The northern kingdom, which is under judgment for its rebellion against God.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is in control of nations and uses them to accomplish His purposes, including judgment.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Israel's rebellion leads to divine judgment, reminding us of the importance of obedience to God.

Divine Intervention in World Affairs
God actively intervenes in geopolitical events, demonstrating His power and authority over all creation.

The Role of Enemies in God's Plan
God can use even adversaries to fulfill His divine purposes, showing that nothing is outside His control.

Trust in God's Ultimate Plan
Believers are encouraged to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem dire, knowing He works all things for good.(11) Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries . . .--The Hebrew tenses are in the past (has set up), but probably as representing the prophet's visions of an accomplished future. The "adversaries" of the text can hardly be any other than the Assyrians; yet the context that follows clearly points to an attack on Ephraim in which the armies of Rezin were to be conspicuous. The natural explanation is that Syria, after the conquest by the Assyrian king (2Kings 16:9), was compelled to take part in a campaign against Samaria. The reading of the text may be retained with this explanation, and the sentence paraphrased thus, "Jehovah will stir up the adversaries of Rezin (the Assyrians who have conquered Syria) against him (Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria), and shall join his enemies against him, and those enemies shall include the very nations on whose support he had counted, the Syrians and the Philistines" (Psalm 83:7-8). The latter people were, it is true, enemies to Judah (2Chronicles 28:18), but their hostilities extended to the northern kingdom also.

Verse 11. - Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him. "Against him" means "against Ephraim," or the kingdom of Israel. "The adversaries of Rezin" could only be the Assyrians; but these seem precluded by the next verse, which mentions only "Syrians" and Philistines." Hence many critics accept the variant reading of several manuscripts sarey for tsarey - which gives the sense of "the princes of Rezin" (so Lowth, Ewald, Houbigant, Weir, Cheyne).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has raised up
וַיְשַׂגֵּ֧ב (way·śag·gêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7682: To be, lofty, inaccessible, safe, strong

the foes
צָרֵ֥י (ṣā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

of Rezin
רְצִ֖ין (rə·ṣîn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7526: Rezin -- a king of Aram (Syria), also an Israelite

against him
עָלָ֑יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and joined
יְסַכְסֵֽךְ׃ (yə·saḵ·sêḵ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5526: To entwine as a, screen, to fence in, cover over, protect

his enemies {together}.
אֹיְבָ֖יו (’ō·yə·ḇāw)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 9:11 Therefore Yahweh will set up on high (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 9:10
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