isaiah 9:12 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 is stretched out still.

isaiah 9:12 The Arameans on the east and the Philistines on the west; And they devour Israel with gaping jaws. In [spite of] all this His anger does not turn away, And His hand is still stretched out.

12. Syrians--Though now allies of Ephraim, after Rezin's death they shall join the Assyrians against Ephraim. "Together," in Isa 9:11, refers to this. Conquering nations often enlist in their armies the subject races (Isa 22:6; compare 2Ki 16:9; Jer 35:11), [ABEN EZRA, GESENIUS]. HORSLEY less probably takes "Syrians before," as the Syrians to the east, that is, not Rezin's subjects, but the Assyrians: "Aram" being the common name of Syrians and Assyrians.
Philistines--of Palestine.
behind--from the west: in marking the points of the compass, Orientalists face the east, which is before them: the west is behind. The right hand is the south: the left, the north.
devour--as a ravenous beast (Isa 1:20; Jer 10:25; 30:16; Nu 14:9).
For all this, &c.--The burden of each strophe.

isaiah 9:12 The Arameans on the east and the Philistines on the west; And they devour Israel with gaping jaws. In [spite of] all this His anger does not turn away, And His hand is still stretched out.

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