And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
ISAIAH 9:20KJVWhat does Isaiah 9:20 mean?
Isaiah 9:20 describes a time of extreme desperation and hunger, where people are so unsatisfied that they turn against each other and even themselves, symbolized by eating the flesh of their own arm. This verse uses vivid imagery to show the depth of suffering and the breakdown of community during a period of judgment.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, warning them about the consequences of their persistent disobedience to God. The verse paints a picture of social collapse, where hunger is so severe that people act in unnatural and self-destructive ways. This is part of a larger passage describing the results of turning away from God’s ways, emphasizing how far things can fall apart when a nation ignores justice and righteousness.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 9:20
- The word for "snatch" (גָּזַל, gazal) means to seize or grab violently, highlighting the desperate and aggressive actions people take out of hunger.
- "Hand" appears twice: יָמִין (yamin, right hand) and שְׂמֹאול (semol, left hand), showing that the hunger and strife affect everyone, no matter which side they turn to.
- "Eat" (אָכַל, akal) is used both for literal eating and for the shocking image of eating one’s own "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar) and "arm" (זְרוֹעַ, zeroa‘), underlining the unnatural and tragic results of the crisis.
Why Isaiah 9:20 matters
- Isaiah 9:20 clears up that the language is symbolic, not literal cannibalism, but is meant to show how dire and unnatural things become when society breaks down.
- The verse emphasizes the consequences of ignoring warnings and continuing in injustice, as described in the surrounding chapters.
- Understanding this verse helps the reader see the seriousness of the prophet’s message and the depth of the crisis facing Israel at that time.