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

ISAIAH 9:11KJV
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Isaiah 9:11 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 9:11 mean?

Isaiah 9:11 says that the LORD will bring together the enemies of Rezin to fight against him, uniting those who oppose him. This is a warning that God will use outside forces to punish or confront those who have acted against His will.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel during a time of political turmoil. Rezin was the king of Aram (Syria), and he had been an enemy of Israel. The verse describes how God will not only allow but actively arrange for Rezin’s adversaries to unite against him, showing that God controls the rise and fall of nations and uses them to accomplish His purposes.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 9:11

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that it is God Himself taking action, not just a general force or fate.
  • adversaries (צָר, tsar): This word means "enemies" or "oppressors." Here, it highlights that those who oppose Rezin are being stirred up deliberately.
  • join (סָכַךְ, sakhakh): This word often means "to cover" or "to join together." In this context, it suggests that God is not just sending enemies, but is actively uniting them, making them a more formidable threat.
  • enemies (אֹיֵב, oyev): This is a general word for "enemies," reinforcing the idea that multiple hostile groups are being brought together against Rezin.

Why Isaiah 9:11 matters

  • Isaiah 9:11 clarifies that God is not passive in history; He actively directs events, even using foreign nations to achieve His plans.
  • The verse emphasizes that alliances and enmities among nations are ultimately under God’s control, not just human politics.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Isaiah of God warning His people through the rise and fall of other nations, urging them to trust in Him rather than in political alliances.

Where else these words appear

“Rezin” Hebrew H7526 · used in 11 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:37 In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
  • 2 Kings 16:9 And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
  • Isaiah 7:1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

“up” Hebrew H7682 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:36 From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:
  • Psalms 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
  • Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

“join” Hebrew H5526 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
  • 1 Kings 8:7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
  • Psalms 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

“adversaries” Hebrew H6862 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
  • Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
  • Psalms 136:24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.