Isaiah 9:7

Of the increase... — Better, “For the increase of the government, and for peace with no end ... The “throne of David,” though in harmony with the whole body of prophetic tradition as to the Messiah, may be noted as the first appearance of that tradition in Isaiah.

Henceforth even for ever. — The words admit, as in the parallels of Psalms 21:4; Psalms 61:6; 2 Samuel 7:12, of being interpreted of the perpetuity of the dynasty of which the anointed king is to be the founder; but the “Everlasting Father “of the context, and the parallels of Psalms 45:6; Psalms 110:4, are in favour of its referring to a personal immortality of sovereignty.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform... — As in Greek so in Hebrew, we have the same root-word and root-idea for “zeal” and “jealousy,” and here, perhaps, the latter thought is dominant. It is because Jehovah loves the daughter of Zion with an absorbing love that He purposes such great things for her future, and that what He purposes will be assuredly performed. (Comp. Ezekiel 5:13.)