Translation: The Revised English Version translates this verse: “The Lord has sent forth his word against Jacob and it will fall on Israel.” This translation refocuses on proximate events, rather than on the Messiah. Isaiah is returning to the theme of Israel’s destruction. Yahweh’s word comes to the entire house of Judah, and Yahweh’s wrath for violating those covenants will first fall on the northern kingdom.
Literature: Isaiah begins here a series of four stanzas of poetry, each terminating with: “For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still” (see vv. 12, 17, 21). This phrase also occurs at 20:4, the break between KJV Isaiah 9 and 10. The phrase signals emphases and parallels among the four stanzas.
The four stanzas alternate between two themes. The first stanza speaks of the people, the second the rulers, the third the people, and the fourth the rulers again. This poetic structure crosses the bounds of 2 Nephi 19/Isaiah 9 into 2 Nephi 20:4/ Isaiah 10:4. The entire passage is contained within unit 2 of the 1830 Book of Mormon, thus avoiding an artificial break in this literary unit.
Scripture: Yahweh is still angry at an unrepentant Israel (and Judah). The outstretched hand, a common metaphor for Yahweh’s exercise of power toward Israel or Judah, could connote either blessing or punishment. Probably, the ambiguity is intentional. In either case, Yahweh is ready to act, either to benefit or harm, depending on his people’s reaction. This first stanza applies the prophecy on a large scale—leaders and lands.