Yesaya 9:2

9:2 (9:1) The people walking in darkness

see a bright light; ¹ 

light shines

on those who live in a land of deep darkness. ² 

Yesaya 59:9

Israel Confesses its Sin

59:9 For this reason deliverance ³  is far from us ⁴ 

and salvation does not reach us.

We wait for light, ⁵  but see only darkness; ⁶ 

we wait for ⁷  a bright light, ⁸  but live ⁹  in deep darkness. ¹⁰ 

[9:2]  ¹ sn The darkness symbolizes judgment and its effects (see 8:22); the light represents deliverance and its effects, brought about by the emergence of a conquering Davidic king (see vv. 3-6).

[9:2]  ² tn Traditionally צַלְמָוֶת (tsalmavet) has been interpreted as a compound noun, meaning “shadow of death” (so KJV, ASV, NIV), but usage indicates that the word, though it sometimes refers to death, means “darkness.” The term should probably be repointed as an abstract noun צַלְמוּת (tsalmut). See the note at Ps 23:4.

[59:9]  ³ tn מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat), which refers to “justice” in the earlier verses, here refers to “justice from God,” or “vindication.” Because the people are unjust, God refuses to vindicate them before their enemies. See v. 11.

[59:9]  ⁴ sn The prophet speaks on behalf of the sinful nation and confesses its sins.

[59:9]  ⁵ sn Light here symbolizes prosperity and blessing.

[59:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “but, look, darkness”; NIV “but all is darkness.”

[59:9]  ⁷ tn The words “we wait for” are supplied in the translation; the verb is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[59:9]  ⁸ tn The plural noun form may indicate degree here.

[59:9]  ⁹ tn Or “walk about”; NCV “all we have is darkness.”

[59:9]  ¹⁰ tn The plural noun form may indicate degree here.