King James Version

What Does Isaiah 63:9 Mean?

Isaiah 63:9 in the King James Version says “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redee... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 63 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9 · KJV


Context

7

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

8

For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.

9

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

10

But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

11

Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him? shepherd: or, shepherds


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.' The Hebrew 'tsar' (affliction) God shares. He doesn't observe suffering from distance but enters into it. The angel of His presence suggests divine presence in redemptive action.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This sympathetic suffering points to incarnation - God fully entering human affliction in Christ. The 'angel of his presence' anticipates Christ as the exact representation of God's being.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sharing in your affliction comfort you?
  2. What does it mean that God has 'carried' His people through history?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
בְּֽכָל1 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צָרָתָ֣ם׀2 of 16

In all their affliction

H6869

transitively, a female rival

ל֣אֹ3 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

צָ֗ר4 of 16

he was afflicted

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ5 of 16

and the angel

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

פָּנָיו֙6 of 16

of his presence

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הֽוֹשִׁיעָ֔ם7 of 16

saved

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

בְּאַהֲבָת֥וֹ8 of 16

them in his love

H160

love

וּבְחֶמְלָת֖וֹ9 of 16

and in his pity

H2551

commiseration

ה֣וּא10 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

גְאָלָ֑ם11 of 16

he redeemed

H1350

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

וַֽיְנַטְּלֵ֥ם12 of 16

them and he bare

H5190

to lift; by implication, to impose

וַֽיְנַשְּׂאֵ֖ם13 of 16

them and carried

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

כָּל14 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְמֵ֥י15 of 16

them all the days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עוֹלָֽם׃16 of 16

of old

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 63:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 63:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study