Isaiah 9:4

Change the order as in R.V. For the yoke of his burden, &c.… thou hast broken.

the staff of his shoulder (better back) means the staff with which his back was beaten; the pronouns refer to Israel.

rod of his oppressor task-master, as in Exodus 5:6.

in the day of Midian when the dominion of the Midianites was for ever broken (Judges 7; cf. Isaiah 10:26). "Day" here means "day of battle," as often in Arabic. The Arabs speak of the hero of many fights as dhu-l" ayyâmîn, "master of days."