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Isaiah 9:2-7

To Us a Child Is Born

December 25, 2025

The Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, Duccio di Buoninsegna
The Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308–1311National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
The stable built into the rock with the mother laid out across the whole width of it, and on the two wings, standing outside the scene and holding their own words on scrolls, the prophets who foretold it.The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders.Duccio di BuoninsegnaThe founder of Sienese painting, who kept the gold and the Byzantine patterns while letting real feeling into the faces.National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.Founded on Andrew Mellon's collection and his insistence that it carry no one's name, and free to the public by law.National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:1-14 (15-20)Lk 2:1-14 (15-20)
EpistleTitus 2:11-14Ti 2:11-14
Old TestamentIsa. 9:2-7Is 9:2-7
PsalterPs. 96Ps 96

Overview & Insights

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” (Isaiah 9:6)

The oracle belongs to the Syro-Ephraimite crisis of the 730s, when Assyrian campaigns fell first on the northern territories named just before it. Its opening contrast of darkness and great light is followed by three comparisons for the joy that arrives, harvest, the dividing of spoil and the breaking of a yoke (vv. 3 and 4), and then by a bonfire of military equipment (v. 5). The famous titles of verse 6 are best understood as a throne name given at accession, and the third of them, Mighty God, is what makes the verse hard to read of an ordinary Judean king. Verse 7 keeps the promise dynastic and political, an increasing government and a throne of David upheld by justice, and signs it with the zeal of the Lord of hosts, so the whole rests on God’s initiative rather than the child’s merit.

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Commentary

Isaiah 9 Commentary: Unto Us A Child Is BornIs 9 Commentary: Unto Us A Child Is Born Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse commentary on the child born and the government on his shoulders.

Isaiah 9:2-7 CommentaryIs 9:2-7 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed reading of light dawning on those in darkness and the titles of the coming king.

Commentary on Isaiah 9:2-7Commentary on Is 9:2-7 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary lectionary commentary on Isaiah 9:2-7 from Working Preacher.

Isaiah 9 Commentary | Precept AustinIs 9 Commentary | Precept Austin Precept Austin

Verse by verse study notes, Hebrew word studies, and gathered quotations on Isaiah 9.

Isaiah 9:2 CommentariesIs 9:2 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic and modern commentaries compiled side by side for Isaiah 9:2.

Background & Word Study

Book of Isaiah - Enter the BibleBook of Is - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background on the composition, setting, and themes of Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:2 Interlinear BibleIs 9:2 Interlinear Bible BibleHub

Hebrew text of Isaiah 9:2 with parsing, transliteration, and Strong's numbers for word study.

Isaiah 9 on SefariaIs 9 on Sefaria Sefaria

The Hebrew of Isaiah 9 with Jewish commentaries and cross references alongside the English.

The Church Fathers

Isaiah 9 - Catena Bible & CommentariesIs 9 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

A catena of the Church Fathers commenting verse by verse on Isaiah 9.

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