Who does 'us' refer to in Isaiah 9:6?
The pronoun 'us' in Isaiah 9:6 refers to the nation of Israel. The prophet Isaiah was writing to Israel, so when he says 'unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,' he means that the child and son were given to Israel.
Les explains that Isaiah 9:6-7 is addressed to the nation of Israel, so the pronoun 'us' refers to Israel. He notes this passage fits with Ephesians and speaks of the Christ who died for us, feeds us today, and is coming again. The child born and son given will have the government upon His shoulder, ruling as King of kings and Lord of lords in the thousand-year reign. His name is called Jesus Christ, our God, showing God the Father and God the Son entwined.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
More Questions
Who is the 'us' in Isaiah 9:6?
Isaiah is addressing the nation of Israel in Isaiah 9:6, so the 'us' in 'unto us a child is born' refers to Israel.
Why is there a parenthesis in Isaiah 9:6 between the son given and the government?
In Isaiah 9:6, the parenthesis goes after 'son is given,' because the child born and son given happened at Jesus' first advent to Israel, but the government upon His shoulder (His kingdom) has not yet occurred.
On whose shoulder will the future government rest according to Isaiah 9:6?
The future government will rest on the shoulder of the Son who was given, that is, the same Son described in Isaiah 9:6 and John 3:16.