2 Nephi 19 Commentary

Differences with the King James Version of Isaiah 9

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, and afterwards (KJV has no “s“) did more grievously afflict (KJV adds “her“) by the way of the Red Sea (“Red Sea” KJV says “sea“) beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and (KJV has “not“) increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor (KJV adds “as in the day of Midian“).

5 For every battle of the warrior (KJV adds “is“) with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

7 Of the increase of (KJV adds “his“) government and peace there is (“is” KJV uses “shall be“) no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

8 The Lord sent his (“his” KJV uses “a“) word unto Jacob and it hath lighted upon Israel.

9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitants (KJV has no “s“) of Samaria, that say in the pride and the (KJV has no “the“) stoutness of heart,

12 the Syrians before, and the Philistines behind and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand (KJV adds “is“) stretched out still.

15 The ancient (KJV adds “and honorable“), he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

20 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

21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: (KJV adds “and“) they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand stretched out still.

Commentary

In Isaiah Chapter 9 or 2 Nephi 19, Isaiah now changes topic from the destruction of Israel to the wonderful future. This is a Messianic prophesy which covers the birth of Jesus Christ and Millennial reign.

First Fulfillment or verse 1 – From time to time the region was invaded by hostile hordes. Concerning the invasion of Benhadad, the Syrian, see Kings 15:20. Of the havoc wrought by Tiglath Pileser, the Assyrian, see 2 Kings 15: 29-32. ^{[source 7]}

Second Fulfillment including verse 2 is contained in Matthew 4. The Light is Christ.^{[source 4 page 21]}

---

These three verses are not yet fulfilled but should be soon as the earth is cleansed of wickedness as Christ takes his place as the eternal king in millennial reign. The events leading up to this will be full of bloodshed.

This is the beautiful prophesy of the birth of Jesus Christ – the first line – and a prophecy of his kingdom during Millennial reign which is the rest of the prophesy.

Verse 7 – judgement will be executed as he destroys the wicked. Justice will be executed as the wicked who lived but would not repent shall suffer for their sins and they shall be subject to the wills of Satan as Satan shall be bound from exercising his power on the earth. Christ shall reign forever and the zeal of the believers under Christ’s leadership will see to it.

Verse 8 – Jesus is that light.

Isaiah is now back to talking about Israel and in a manner that will also receive a dual fulfillment in the last days to the top nation – The United States. In the pride of their hearts, they will mock God and their attitude will be like unto verse 10.

David Ridges says the following about verse 10.

Isaiah points out how full of pride rebellious Israel is. In effect, they boast that God’s punishments won’t humble them. They don’t need God and they are not afraid of Him. They are basically saying. “Go ahead and tear down our cities. We will simply rebuild them and with better materials than ever.” ^{[source 6 page 32]}

The adversaries of Rezin (Syria) shall be joined together including the Philistines, and they shall overthrow Israel.

Nevertheless, the Lord is ready to receive you if you repent.

But for now, no repentance is found.

• The head are the leaders.
• The tail are the false prophets.
• The palm branch represents triumph and victory.
• The rush being people of low social status.[source 6 page 32]

Wickedness is spread throughout all the people. But remember that the arm of the Lord is stretched out if you would just repent.

It is not going to be pretty. Not for them the Israelites when the Assyrians come (Isaiah’s day), and not for the United States of America – the top nation of the world (our day).

Manasseh and Ephraim will strive against one another and against Judah at the time the Assyrians come. In the last days, all nations will be fighting against each other – the wicked fighting the wicked. Yet they will all be united in fighting against Judah or Jerusalem (Israel today).

Yet despite this, if you will repent, the Lord’s hand is stretched out to you.

Commentary Sources

1. The website Isaiah Explained – by Avriham Gileadi.
2. The book Understanding Isaiah by Donald and Jay Parry, and Tina Peterson published by Deseret Book Company, 1998.
3. The book Annotated Edition – The Book of Mormon published by David R. Hocking and Rod Meldrum, 2018.
4. The book The Book of Isaiah – Annotated Edition eBook published by David R. Hocking, 2020.
5. Verse by Verse – The Book of Mormon by D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner, published by Deseret Book Company, 2011.
6. Isaiah Made Easier by David J Ridges, Second Edition, published by Cedar Fort, Inc., 2009.
7. Commentary of the Book of Mormon – writings from George Reynolds and Janne Sjodahl.
8. My own understanding.

Isaiah Explained

This video file was downloaded from the website at Isaiah Explained – Avraham Gileadi. He has a very detailed commentary to this chapter.

The website Isaiah Explained has this type of detailed description for all chapters of Isaiah.

Commentary from George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl taken from Commentary on the Book of Mormon published in 1955:

VERSE 1. Galilee of the Nations. The northern part of Palestine, allotted to Zebulon and Naphtali and bordering on Phoenicia and Syria, was known as the “Galilee of the Nations,” or, Gentiles, because of its mixed population. The manners and customs of the people, and even the dialect spoken became affected by foreign settlers. From time to time the region was invaded by hostile hordes. Concerning the invasion of Benhadad, the Syrian, see Kings 15:20. Of the havoc wrought by Tiglath Pileser, the Assyrian, see 2 Kings 15: 29-32.

VERSE 2. A Great Light. Isaiah was shown, in this vision, that God had selected this darkened portion of the land of promise for the appearance there of a great Light, even the Messiah, Jesus, of Nazareth. See Matt. 4:15, 16.

VERSE 3. The Joy of the Nation. The Prophet sees in the coming of the Messiah the beginning of an era of liberty and prosperity. There will be general rejoicing, as in the time of harvest, or after a notable victory over an enemy. The same thought is continued in the next verse.

This verse reads somewhat different from the text in the authorized version: “Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy.” In connection with what follows, this makes poor sense. Nephi had the copy of the prophecy that had been in the possession of Laban, and we may conclude that its text was purer than that of some later manuscripts. The word translated “not” can be a word meaning, “to him;” that is, to the nation, and that makes quite a difference.

VERSE 4. Oppressor. In this verse, after the last word, the translators of King James Bible have added, “as in the day of Midian,” evidently referring to the story of Gideon in Judges 6-8. The words may be a marginal note which, somehow, has crept into the text in later copies.

VERSE 5. Burning and Fuel. The meaning seems to be this: The era of peace and prosperity will not come through war, for wars bring only confusion, noise and bloodshed. It will come when the nations are sensible enough to consign all their blood – stained war equipments to the flames – make a bonfire of them. And that time is near.

VERSE 6. A Child Is Born. The Messiah. To the vision of the Prophet this event, marking a new epoch in the existence of the world, was a present reality: “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” It was already done in the great Council in heaven. Even the names of the Messiah, indicating his mission on earth, had been selected. These names, if we drop the comma after Wonderful, as I believe we may do safely, since punctuation marks are very arbitrary, are four:

• Wonderful Counselor
• Mighty God
• Everlasting Father
• Prince of Peace

Wonderful Counselor. See Pearl of Great Price, Mos. 4: 1-3; Abraham 3:27, 28. The full meaning of this name is better understood when read in the light of the revelations in the Pearl of Great Price concerning the plan of salvation. The translators who made the Greek translation known as the Septuagint, must have had a Hebrew text different to that now commonly accepted. Their rendition of the passage, transformed into English, is:

“For unto us a child is born, and to us a son is given, whose government is on his own shoulder; and his name shall be called, Messenger of a Great Counsel. Great is his government and to his peace there is no boundary,” etc.

The important and remarkable fact is here made clear that the early translators of the Hebrew text of Isaiah, understood the “Wonderful,” “Counselor” of the English version to mean, “The Messenger of a Great Counsel,” as revealed in the Pearl of Great Price.

Mighty God. Some modern scholars would like to understand this to mean that our Redeemer is here referred to as mighty “warrior.” He was that in the conflict that ended with the expulsion of the fallen angel from the presence of God. See Luke 10:18; Rev. 12: 9; 2 Ne. 2:17, 18; D. and C. 29:36, 37; Pearl of Great Price, Mos. 4: 3, 4. But he was also “God.” The name indicates his divinity.

Everlasting Father. Literally: “Father of Eternity.” Meaning the originator and ruler of ages, or eras. Comp. Isaiah 57:15; Jer. 10:10; Micah 5: 2.

Prince of Peace. If we divide mankind into two great divisions, one governed by law and the peaceful administration of the law, and the other by tyrannic violence, then we will find the Prince of peace at the head of the first of these divisions. That is his kingdom, as the Prince of Peace.

VERSE 7. The Throne of David. Refers, evidently, to Jerusalem. Palestine has yet an important role in the making of world history. The mission of the Prince of Peace will be carried out, not with murderous war implements, but with the burning love – zeal – of the Lord of Hosts for his people.

VERSE 8. A Word Unto Jacob. This is a prophecy against Israel. It begins with verse 9 of this chapter and ends with verse 4 of the next. Jacob and Israel here stand for Israel, also called Ephraim.

VERSE 11. The Adversaries of Rezin. The Assyrians, who had conquered Rezin, the head of Damascus. The Lord would now send the Assyrians against Israel.

VERSE 12. Other Enemies. Also the Syrians and Philistines, who, as conquered peoples, were compelled to fight in the ranks of the conquerors.

VERSE 14. Head and Tail. See verse 15.

VERSE 17. Young Men. A timely warning to youth of all Times. The Lord loves young people who dedicate themselves to his service, but he has no joy in evil doers, whether young or old.

VERSE 18. Wickedness. Is here compared to a flame that begins in the briers and thorns in the field, spreads little by little and ends in a raging forest fire, dark ening the sky with masses of thick smoke.

VERSE 20. The Flesh of His Own Arm. Internal strife, brother against brother, is just like tearing one’s own flesh to pieces and eating the shreds. It is raving madness.

VERSE 21. Ephraim and Manasseh. But that was the condition. The two brothers were fighting each other. But they were uniting in attacks on Judah.