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.
The Lord sends warning before He wounds; He spoke through His prophets, but Israel refused to hear. Those willingly ignorant of God's wrath revealed against sin shall be made to know it by feeling it. The people's insolence defies justice itself: they say, let God do His worst, we will hold our ground, rebuild stronger than before. They will not repent at the word, so they shall learn through the blow.
AI summary
Commenting on Isaiah 9:8-21
PROPHECY AS TO THE TEN TRIBES. (Isa. 9:8-10:4) Heading of the prophecy; (Isa 9:8-12), the first strophe. unto Jacob--against the ten tribes [LOWTH]. lighted upon--fallen from heaven by divine revelation (Dan 4:31).
Commenting on Isaiah 9:8-12
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 Kg2 16:9; Jer 35:11), [ABEN EZRA, GESENIUS].