Isaiah 9:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The northern tribes turn against each other and against Judah in mutual destruction; God's judgment remains unrelenting.
The Context of Isaiah 9:21
Isaiah concludes the judgment cycle by showing complete tribal and national breakdown, with God's judgment still active and aimed at restoration through accountability.
What Does Isaiah 9:21 Mean?
The verse names the specific tribes now in conflict: Manasseh and Ephraim (both major northern tribes) attack one another, then turn together against Judah (the southern kingdom). This is the ultimate fragmentation—not only family bonds but tribal and national unity shattered. Israel, once united under David, now consumes itself from within through tribal warfare.
The closing refrain, repeated throughout this passage, emphasizes that 'his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.' This is the final word: despite all the judgments described—military defeat, leadership destruction, moral corruption, starvation, self-consumption, tribal warfare—God has not finished His work of calling Israel to account. The hand of judgment remains extended, and the opportunity for repentance persists even amid devastation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 9:21
What does Isaiah 9:21 mean?
The northern tribes turn against each other and against Judah in mutual destruction; God's judgment remains unrelenting.
What is the context of Isaiah 9:21?
Isaiah concludes the judgment cycle by showing complete tribal and national breakdown, with God's judgment still active and aimed at restoration through accountability.