Isa 9:6, Zec 9:10 | JFB | STEP | 6. For —the ground of these great expectations, unto us —for the benefit of the Jews first, and then the Gentiles (compare "unto you, " ). son . . . given — ( ). God's gratuitous gift, on which man had no claim ( ). government . . . upon . . . shoulder —The ensign of office used to be worn on the shoulder, in token of sustaining the government ( ). Here the government on Messiah's shoulder is in marked antithesis to the "yoke and staff" of the oppressor on Israel's "shoulder" ( ). He shall receive the kingdom of the earth from the Father, to vindicate it from the misrule of those to whom it was entrusted to hold it for and under the Most High, but who sought to hold it in defiance of His right; the Father asserts His right by the Son, the "Heir of all things," who will hold it for Him ( ). name . . . called —His essential characteristics shall be. Wonderful —(See on ; , Margin; ). Counsellor — ( ). mighty God — ( ) HORSLEY translates: "God the mighty man." "Unto us . . . God" is equivalent to "Immanuel" ( ). everlasting Father —This marks Him as "Wonderful," that He is "a child," yet the "everlasting Father " ( ). Earthly kings leave their people after a short reign; He will reign over and bless them for ever [HENGSTENBERG ]. Prince of Peace —(See on ; ; Shiloh, "The Tranquillizer"). Finally ( ). Even already He is "our peace" ( ).

Isaiah 9:6

6. For—the ground of these great expectations,

unto us—for the benefit of the Jews first, and then the Gentiles (compare "unto you," Lu 2:11).

son . . . given— (Ps 2:7). God's gratuitous gift, on which man had no claim (Joh 3:16; Ro 6:23).

government . . . upon . . . shoulder—The ensign of office used to be worn on the shoulder, in token of sustaining the government (Isa 22:22). Here the government on Messiah's shoulder is in marked antithesis to the "yoke and staff" of the oppressor on Israel's "shoulder" (Isa 9:4). He shall receive the kingdom of the earth from the Father, to vindicate it from the misrule of those to whom it was entrusted to hold it for and under the Most High, but who sought to hold it in defiance of His right; the Father asserts His right by the Son, the "Heir of all things," who will hold it for Him (Da 7:13, 14).

name . . . called—His essential characteristics shall be.

Wonderful—(See on Isa 8:18; Jud 13:18, Margin; 1Ti 3:16).

Counsellor— (Ps 16:7; Ro 11:33, 34; 1Co 1:24; Col 2:3).

mighty God— (Isa 10:21; Ps 24:8; Tit 2:13) HORSLEY translates: "God the mighty man." "Unto us . . . God" is equivalent to "Immanuel" (Isa 7:14).

everlasting Father—This marks Him as "Wonderful," that He is "a child," yet the "everlasting Father" (Joh 10:30; 14:9). Earthly kings leave their people after a short reign; He will reign over and bless them for ever [HENGSTENBERG].

Prince of Peace—(See on Isa 9:5; Ge 49:10; Shiloh, "The Tranquillizer"). Finally (Ho 2:18). Even already He is "our peace" (Lu 2:14; Eph 2:14).

Zechariah 9:10

10. (Isa 2:4; Ho 2:18; Mic 5:10).

Ephraim . . . Jerusalem—the ten tribes, and Judah and Benjamin; both alike to be restored hereafter.

speak peace—command it authoritatively.

dominion . . . from sea . . . river . . . ends of . . . earth—fulfilling Ge 15:18; Ex 23:31; and Ps 72:8. "Sea . . . sea," are the Red Sea and Mediterranean. The "river" is the Euphrates. Jerusalem and the Holy Land, extended to the limits promised to Abraham, are to be the center of His future dominion; whence it will extend to the remotest parts of the earth.