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Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/9-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/23_Isa_09_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 9:20 - Judgment Against Israel's Unrepentance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. 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Each will feed on the flesh of their own offspring:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They will attack their neighbor on the right but will still be hungry. They will devour their neighbor on the left but will not be satisfied. In the end they will even eat their own children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They slice meat on the right, but are still hungry, and they devour on the left, but are not satisfied; each devours the flesh of his own arm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he shall snatch on the right hand And be hungry; He shall devour on the left hand And not be satisfied; Every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They devour <i>what is</i> on the right hand but are <i>still</i> hungry, And they eat <i>what is</i> on the left hand, but they are not satisfied; Each of them eats the flesh of his own arm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They slice off what is on the right hand but still are hungry, And they eat what is on the left hand but they are not satisfied; Each of them eats the flesh of his own arm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they slice off <i>what is</i> on the right hand but <i>still</i> are hungry, And they eat <i>what is</i> on the left hand but they are not satisfied; Each of them eats the flesh of his own arm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They slice off <i>what is</i> on the right hand but <i>still</i> are hungry, And they eat <i>what is</i> on the left hand but they are not satisfied; Each of them eats the flesh of his own arm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They slice off [in discord] <i>what is</i> on the right hand but are <i>still</i> hungry, And they eat <i>what is</i> on the left hand but they are not satisfied; Each eats the flesh of his own arm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They carve meat on the right, but they are still hungry; they have eaten on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one eats the flesh of his arm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They carve meat on the right, but they are still hungry; they have eaten on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one eats the flesh of his own arm. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And one 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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />like wild animals attacking and eating everyone around them, even their own relatives. But still they were not satisfied. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And one 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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />On the right, one gobbles up food and is still hungry. On the left, another eats and is never full. Each person eats the flesh from his own arm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Everywhere in the country people snatch and eat any bit of food they can find, but their hunger is never satisfied. They even eat their own children! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They cut meat on the right, but they're still hungry, and they devour also on the left, but they're not satisfied; each devours the flesh of his own children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They devoured on the right, but were still hungry, they ate on the left, but were not satisfied. People even ate the flesh of their own arm! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm: <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And cuts down on the right, and has been hungry, "" And he devours on the left, "" And they have not been satisfied, "" They each devour the flesh of his own arm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And cutteth down on the right, and hath been hungry, And he devoureth on the left, And they have not been satisfied, Each the flesh of his own arm they devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he shall cut upon the right hand, and hungering; and he shall eat upon the left, and they were not satisfied: they shall eat a man the flesh of his arm.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he shall turn to the right hand, and shall be hungry: and shall eat on the left hand, and shall not be filled: every one shell eat the flesh of his own arm: Manasses Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasses, and they together shall be against Juda. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he will turn toward the right, and he will be hungry. And he will eat toward the left, and he will not be satisfied. Each one will eat the flesh of his own arm: Manasseh Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh, and together they will be against Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They hack on the right, but remain hungry; they devour on the left, but are not filled. Each devours the flesh of the neighbor; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They gorged on the right, but still were hungry, and they devoured on the left, but were not satisfied; they devoured the flesh of their own kindred;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own kinsmen;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he shall cut up on his right and he shall hunger and he shall eat on his left, and they shall not be satisfied; a man shall eat the flesh of his own arm<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And one snatcheth on the right hand, and is hungry; And he eateth on the left hand, and is not satisfied; They eat every man the flesh of his own arm:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But <i>one</i> shall turn aside to the right hand, for he shall be hungry; and shall eat on the left, and a man shall by no means be satisfied with eating the flesh of his own arm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/9-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=2063" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/9.htm">Judgment Against Israel's Unrepentance</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>By the wrath of the LORD of Hosts the land is scorched, and the people are fuel for the fire. No man even spares his brother. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1504.htm" title="1504: way·yiḡ·zōr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To cut, divide. A primitive root; to cut down or off; to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide.">They carve out</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">what is on</a> <a href="/hebrew/3225.htm" title="3225: yā·mîn (N-fs) -- Right hand. From yaman; the right hand or side of a person or other object; locally, the south.">the right,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7456.htm" title="7456: wə·rā·‘êḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To be hungry. A primitive root; to hunger.">but they are still hungry;</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: way·yō·ḵal (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">they eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">what is on</a> <a href="/hebrew/8040.htm" title="8040: śə·mō·wl (N-ms) -- The left. ">the left,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but they are still not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7646.htm" title="7646: śā·ḇê·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be sated, satisfied or surfeited. Or sabeay; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. Fill to satisfaction.">satisfied.</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">Each one</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: yō·ḵê·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">devours</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bə·śar- (N-msc) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">the flesh</a> <a href="/hebrew/2220.htm" title="2220: zə·rō·‘ōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Arm, shoulder, strength. Or zroao; and zrowpah; or zrowah; from zara'; the arm, or the foreleg; figuratively, force.">of his own offspring.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-2.htm">Micah 7:2-6</a></span><br />The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net. / Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. / The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Jeremiah 19:9</a></span><br />I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh in the siege and distress inflicted on them by their enemies who seek their lives.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/5-10.htm">Ezekiel 5:10</a></span><br />As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter all your remnant to every wind.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9</a></span><br />Then I said, “I will no longer shepherd you. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish; and let those who remain devour one another’s flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-53.htm">Deuteronomy 28:53-57</a></span><br />Then you will eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters whom the LORD your God has given you, in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you. / The most gentle and refined man among you will begrudge his brother, the wife he embraces, and the rest of his children who have survived, / refusing to share with any of them the flesh of his children he will eat because he has nothing left in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you within all your gates. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-10.htm">Lamentations 4:10</a></span><br />The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-28.htm">2 Kings 6:28-29</a></span><br />Then the king asked her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him, and tomorrow we will eat my son.’ / So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-10.htm">Matthew 24:10</a></span><br />At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-15.htm">Galatians 5:15</a></span><br />But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-1.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a></span><br />But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Romans 1:29-31</a></span><br />They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. / They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-1.htm">James 4:1-2</a></span><br />What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? / You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-12.htm">Mark 13:12</a></span><br />Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-16.htm">Luke 21:16</a></span><br />You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-21.htm">Matthew 10:21</a></span><br />Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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:</p><p class="hdg">and he</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/49-26.htm">Isaiah 49:26</a></b></br> And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD <i>am</i> thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Leviticus 26:26-29</a></b></br> <i>And</i> when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver <i>you</i> your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Jeremiah 19:9</a></b></br> And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.</p><p class="hdg">snatch.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/9-11.htm">Arm</a> <a href="/job/16-12.htm">Bits</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-14.htm">Cutteth</a> <a href="/songs/2-12.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-18.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-18.htm">Devoureth</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-18.htm">Devours</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-22.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-22.htm">Eateth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-2.htm">Eats</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-16.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-2.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-19.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-17.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-21.htm">Hungry</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-3.htm">Left</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-12.htm">Making</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-19.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-21.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-17.htm">Neighbor's</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-5.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-19.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-16.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-7.htm">Satisfied</a> <a href="/songs/6-7.htm">Slice</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-29.htm">Snatch</a> <a href="/job/9-12.htm">Snatcheth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/17-5.htm">Arm</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-14.htm">Bits</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Cutteth</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-7.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-17.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-11.htm">Devoureth</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-21.htm">Devours</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-7.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-7.htm">Eateth</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-4.htm">Eats</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-20.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-21.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-18.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-21.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-8.htm">Hungry</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Left</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-21.htm">Making</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-21.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-4.htm">Need</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-8.htm">Neighbor's</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-2.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-18.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-2.htm">Right</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-8.htm">Satisfied</a> <a href="/luke/11-11.htm">Slice</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">Snatch</a> <a href="/matthew/13-19.htm">Snatcheth</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/9-1.htm">What joy shall be in the midst of afflictions, by the birth and kingdom of Christ</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/9-8.htm">The judgments upon Israel for their pride</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/9-13.htm">For their hypocrisy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/9-18.htm">And for their unrepentance</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/isaiah/9.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>They carve out on the right</b><br />The phrase "carve out on the right" suggests an act of taking or consuming with a sense of desperation or greed. In the Hebrew context, the right side often symbolizes strength or favor. Here, it implies that despite using their strength or favored position to acquire resources, the people remain unfulfilled. This reflects a spiritual truth that material pursuits, even when seemingly successful, cannot satisfy the deeper needs of the soul. Historically, this could be seen as a critique of Israel's reliance on their own power and alliances rather than trusting in God.<p><b>but still are hungry</b><br />The hunger described here is not merely physical but also spiritual and emotional. The Hebrew word for hunger, "ra'eb," can denote a deep, gnawing emptiness. This highlights the futility of seeking fulfillment outside of God's provision. In a broader biblical context, this echoes the theme found throughout Scripture that true satisfaction comes only from God, as seen in Jesus' declaration in <a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>, "I am the bread of life."<p><b>they devour on the left</b><br />The act of devouring on the left suggests a frantic attempt to consume or acquire from all directions. The left side, often associated with weakness or lesser favor, indicates that even in areas where they might expect less, they are still striving to fill their void. This reflects the human tendency to seek satisfaction in all the wrong places, a theme prevalent in the prophetic literature where Israel often turned to idols and foreign nations for help.<p><b>but are not satisfied</b><br />The lack of satisfaction despite their efforts underscores the emptiness of pursuits apart from God. The Hebrew word "saba," meaning to be sated or full, is notably absent here, emphasizing the insatiable nature of desires not rooted in divine provision. This serves as a warning against idolatry and self-reliance, reminding believers that only God can truly fulfill the deepest longings of the heart.<p><b>Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring</b><br />This shocking imagery of cannibalism is a hyperbolic expression of the self-destructive nature of sin and disobedience. In the historical context, it may allude to the dire circumstances during sieges, such as those experienced by Israel and Judah, where famine led to desperate acts. Spiritually, it symbolizes the ultimate consequence of turning away from God—self-destruction and the breakdown of community and family. This serves as a powerful call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness, highlighting the destructive end of a life lived apart from God's guidance and provision.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He shall snatch</span>; rather, one <span class="accented">shall devour</span>. A man, <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, shall plunder and ravage in one quarter, and yet not be satisfied; then he shall do the same in another, and still desire more. "Increase of appetite shall grow by what it feeds on." There shall be no sense of satiety anywhere. <span class="cmt_word">The flesh of his own arm.</span> In a civil war, or a time of anarchy, each man is always "eating the flesh of his own arm" - <span class="accented">i.e.</span> injuring his neighbor, who is his own natural protector and defender. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/9-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They carve out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּגְזֹ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḡ·zōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1504.htm">Strong's 1504: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut down, off, to destroy, divide, exclude, decide</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what is on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the right,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִין֙</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3225.htm">Strong's 3225: </a> </span><span class="str2">The right hand, side, the south</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but they are still hungry;</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרָעֵ֔ב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rā·‘êḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7456.htm">Strong's 7456: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hungry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have eaten</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אכַל</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·ḵal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what is on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the left,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂמֹ֖אול</span> <span class="translit">(śə·mō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8040.htm">Strong's 8040: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dark, the north, the left hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but they are still not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">satisfied.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂבֵ֑עוּ</span> <span class="translit">(śā·ḇê·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7646.htm">Strong's 7646: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be sated, satisfied or surfeited</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Each one</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֥ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">devours</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹאכֵֽלוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ḵê·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the flesh</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשַׂר־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·śar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his own arm.</span><br /><span class="heb">זְרֹע֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(zə·rō·‘ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2220.htm">Strong's 2220: </a> </span><span class="str2">The arm, the foreleg, force</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/9-20.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 9:20 One will devour on the right hand (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/9-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 9:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 9:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/9-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 9:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 9:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>