Isaiah 9:6 – For Unto Us a Child Is Born
“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.” Isaiah’s declaration stands among Scripture’s most majestic prophecies, combining the intimacy of a child’s birth with titles that can only belong to deity. A child born—human. The mighty God—divine. In one verse, Isaiah announces the incarnation: God coming to us in the form of a son, bearing names that reveal His nature and mission.
Isaiah’s Context of Hope
Isaiah 9 follows chapter 8’s warning of Assyrian invasion and national darkness. The northern kingdom of Israel faced imminent judgment, and Judah’s future looked bleak. Into this darkness, Isaiah proclaimed light: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:2). From the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali—Galilee of the Gentiles—light would dawn.
The promised deliverance would come through a child. Not through military alliance, political strategy, or human wisdom, but through a baby born into the royal line. The verse structure emphasizes this: a child is born, a son is given. Birth indicates humanity; the passive verb “given” suggests divine initiative. This is heaven’s gift to earth.
The government resting on this child’s shoulder indicates royal authority. But the weight of government upon a child seems strange—infants do not rule. The text looks beyond the child’s infancy to His maturity and reign. Yet even here, something extraordinary emerges: the shouldered government is singular, not shared. This ruler will not delegate His authority to others or depend upon advisors. He bears the weight alone.
Traditional interpretation recognized this as messianic prophecy, anticipating the coming king from David’s line who would establish an eternal kingdom. “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom” (Isaiah 9:7). The promised son would fulfill the covenant with David, reigning forever in righteousness and justice.
Names Beyond Human Capacity
The four compound names given to this child create the theological heart of the prophecy. Each title pushes beyond what any mere human could rightfully claim. Together, they describe someone who is both child and God, both born in time and existing in eternity.
“Wonderful, Counsellor” (or “Wonderful Counselor”) indicates wisdom beyond human capacity. The Hebrew word for “wonderful” relates to miraculous acts that only God can perform. This counselor gives advice that partakes of divine omniscience—not the best human judgment but perfect wisdom from the One who knows all things.
“The mighty God” presents the strongest statement of deity in the passage. The Hebrew El Gibbor uses a term (El) consistently applied to God throughout the Old Testament, combined with “mighty” or “warrior.” This child is not merely godlike or a representative of God—He is the mighty God Himself. No honest reading can reduce this title to something less than deity.
“The everlasting Father” initially puzzles those familiar with Trinitarian theology. Is the Son being identified as the Father? More precisely, the term means “Father of Eternity” or “Father Forever”—One who possesses eternity, who relates to His people with paternal care that never ends. Unlike earthly fathers who die, this Father remains forever. The title speaks to His eternal nature and enduring relationship with His own.
“The Prince of Peace” indicates His kingdom’s character. Peace—shalom—means wholeness, completeness, well-being in every dimension. This prince establishes comprehensive peace: peace with God, peace within oneself, peace among nations. His reign is not imposed through violence but established through reconciliation.
The Bethlehem Fulfillment
When Caesar Augustus ordered the census and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem with Mary, Isaiah’s prophecy moved from promise to reality. “For unto us a child is born”—a baby in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. “Unto us a son is given”—”God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). The giving was heaven’s initiative; the birth was earth’s reception.
Matthew connects Isaiah 9:1-2 directly to Jesus’ ministry in Galilee: “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matthew 4:16). The light Isaiah promised seven centuries earlier dawned when Jesus began preaching in Capernaum, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali. Geography confirmed prophecy.
Jesus demonstrated each title through His ministry. Wonderful Counselor—His teaching astonished the multitudes, surpassing the scribes in authority. Mighty God—He calmed storms, raised the dead, cast out demons, and forgave sins. Everlasting Father—He promised eternal life and declared that His sheep would never perish. Prince of Peace—He reconciled sinners to God through His blood, making peace through the cross.
The Already and Not Yet
Christ fulfilled Isaiah 9:6 at His first coming, yet the complete manifestation of His government awaits His return. The child has been born; the reign is not yet universally acknowledged. He is the mighty God; many still reject Him. He is the Prince of Peace; wars continue. The fulfillment begun at Bethlehem will be completed when He comes again.
This tension characterizes the church age. We know who the child is—Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We know His names are true—He is everything Isaiah declared. But we live between His first and second advents, when His rule is real but contested, His peace is available but not universal, His reign is established but not yet consummated.
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end” (Isaiah 9:7). The government keeps increasing. Every conversion extends His kingdom. Every knee that bows acknowledges His authority. The gospel spreads; the government grows. What began with a baby in Bethlehem expands until every tribe and tongue and nation includes worshippers of the mighty God who was born a child.
The final consummation will reveal what has been true since Bethlehem. When Christ returns, every eye will see Him. Every knee will bow—willingly in worship or unwillingly in acknowledgment. The government that rested on His shoulder at the incarnation will be visibly exercised over all creation. The Prince of Peace will reign where war once ruled. The Wonderful Counselor’s wisdom will govern all decisions. The mighty God will display His power in unmistakable triumph.
Unto Us
“Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” The pronouns are personal and possessive. This birth was for us. This gift is ours. The mighty God did not remain distant but came near—near enough to be laid in a manger, near enough to walk dusty roads, near enough to die on a cross.
Isaiah’s audience lived in darkness, walking in the shadow of death. Judgment was coming; hope seemed lost. Into that despair came the promise of light through a child. You may walk in your own darkness—guilt, fear, confusion, despair. The same promise extends to you. A child has been born. A son has been given. Light has dawned.
But the gift must be received. The son was given; will you accept Him? The government is upon His shoulder; will you submit to His rule? He is the Wonderful Counselor; will you heed His wisdom? He is the mighty God; will you trust His power? He is the everlasting Father; will you receive His care? He is the Prince of Peace; will you enter His peace?
Isaiah 9:6 is not merely information about who Jesus is. It is invitation to receive who Jesus is—for you, unto you, as your Wonderful Counselor, your mighty God, your everlasting Father, your Prince of Peace. The child born in Bethlehem reigns now in heaven and extends His kingdom through all who call upon His name. Call upon Him. Find in this child your God. Find in this son your salvation. Find in His government your freedom. Find in His peace your rest.