Isaiah 9:14

“Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail, &c.] The former of these is afterwards interpreted of “the ancient and honourable”, men in high places, civil magistrates, judges, governors, and elders of the people, the king as supreme, and all subordinate officers; and so the Targum, “the Lord will destroy from Israel the prince and the ruler;” and the latter is interpreted of the false prophet. The people of Israel are compared to a beast with a tail, being so sadly degenerated and corrupted; as the Romish antichrist, in both his capacities, civil and ecclesiastical, is compared to a beast; the one being the head, and the other the tail, (<661301>Revelation 13:1,2,11) and Rome…”

“head and tail--proverbial for the highest and lowest (Deu 28:13, Deu 28:44). branch and rush--another image for the same thought (Isa 19:15). The branch is elevated on the top of the tree: the rush is coarse and low.”

“Will cut off head and tail - This is a proverbial expression, which is explained in the following verse; see also Deuteronomy 28:13-14. The head is often used to denote those in honor and authority. The tail is an expression applicable to the lower ranks, and would commonly indicate more than simply the common people. It would imply contempt; a state of great abjectness and meanness. Branch and rush - This is also a proverbial expression, meaning the highest and lowest; see the note at Isaiah 19:15. The word here translated branch, means properly the bough or top of the palm tree. The palm grew to a great height before it gave out any branches, and hence, the image is a beautiful one to…”

“Head - High and low. Branch - The goodly branches of tall trees, the mighty and noble. Rush - The bulrush, the weakest and meanest persons. One day - All together, one as well as another. Isaiah 9:15”

“will cut: Isa 3:2, Isa 3:3, Isa 19:15; Kg2 17:6-20; Hos 1:4, Hos 1:6, Hos 1:9, Hos 4:5, Hos 5:12-14, Hos 8:8, Hos 9:11-17; Hos 13:3; Amo 2:14-16, Amo 3:12, Amo 5:2, Amo 5:3, Amo 6:11, Amo 7:8, Amo 7:9, Amo 7:17, Amo 9:1-9; Mic 1:6-8 in one day: Isa 10:17, Isa 30:13; Hos 10:15; Rev 18:8, Rev 18:10, Rev 18:17 Isaiah 9:15”