Isaiah8
English Standard Version
1Then the Lord to me, a and it in , Belonging to .
2And I will , the and the of , to for me.
3And I to the , and she and a . Then the Lord to me, his ;
4 the knows to My or My , the of and the of will be the of .
5The Lord to me :
6 has the of that , and over and the of ,
7 , , the is them the of the , and , the of and his . And it will its and its ,
8and it will into , it will and pass , even the , and its will the of your , O .
9Be , you , and be ; , you ; strap on your and be ; strap on your and be .
10 , but it will come to ; a , but it will , is us.
11For the Lord to me with his upon me, and me to in the of , :
12Do , and do what they , be in .
13But the Lord of , him you shall honor as . Let him be your , and let him be your .
14And he will become a and a of and a of to of , a and a to the of .
15And shall on it. They shall and be ; they shall be and .
16 the ; the among my .
17I will for the Lord, who is his the of , and I will in him.
18 , I and the the Lord has me are and in the Lord of , who on .
19And they to you, of the and the who and , should a of their ? Should they inquire of the on of the ?
20To the and to the ! they will according to this , is they have .
21They will the land, and . And they are , they will be and will against their and their , and turn their .
22And they will to the , but , and , the of . And they will be into .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 8.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Exhortations and warnings. (1-8). Comfort for those who fear God. (9-16). Afflictions to idolaters. (17-22).
vv1-8
The prophet is to write on a large roll, or on a metal tablet, words which meant, "Make speed to spoil, hasten to the prey:" pointing out that the Assyrian army should come with speed, and make great spoil. Very soon the riches of Damascus and of Samaria, cities then secure and formidable, shall be taken away by the king of Assyria. The prophet pleads with the promised Messiah, who should appear in that land in the fulness of time, and, therefore, as God, would preserve it in the mean time. As a gentle brook is an apt emblem of a mild government, so an overflowing torrent represents a conqueror and tyrant. The invader's success was also described by a bird of prey, stretching its wings over the whole land. Those who reject Christ, will find that what they call liberty is the basest slavery. But no enemy shall pluck the believer out of Emmanuel's hand, or deprive him of his heavenly inheritance.
vv9-16
The prophet challenges the enemies of the Jews. Their efforts would be vain, and themselves broken to pieces. It concerns us, in time of trouble, to watch against all such fears as put us upon crooked courses for our own security. The believing fear of God preserves against the disquieting fear of man. If we thought rightly of the greatness and glory of God, we should see all the power of our enemies restrained. The Lord, who will be a Sanctuary to those who trust in him, will be a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, to those who make the creature their fear and their hope. If the things of God be an offence to us, they will undo us. The apostle quotes this as to all who persisted in unbelief of the gospel of Christ, I Pet. 2:8. The crucified Emmanuel, who was and is a Stumbling-stone and Rock of offence to unbelieving Jews, is no less so to thousands who are called Christians. The preaching of the cross is foolishness in their esteem; his doctrines and precepts offend them.
vv17-22
The prophet foresaw that the Lord would hide his face; but he would look for his return in favour to them again. Though not miraculous signs, the children's names were memorials from God, suited to excite attention. The unbelieving Jews were prone to seek counsel in difficulties, from diviners of different descriptions, whose foolish and sinful ceremonies are alluded to. Would we know how we may seek to our God, and come to the knowledge of his mind? To the law and to the testimony; for there you will see what is good, and what the Lord requires. We must speak of the things of God in the words which the Holy Ghost teaches, and be ruled by them. To those that seek to familiar spirits, and regard not God's law and testimony, there shall be horror and misery. Those that go away from God, go out of the way of all good; for fretfulness is a sin that is its own punishment. They shall despair, and see no way of relief, when they curse God. And their fears will represent every thing as frightful. Those that shut their eyes against the light of God's word, will justly be left to darkness. All the miseries that ever were felt or witnessed on earth, are as nothing, compared with what will overwhelm those who leave the words of Christ, to follow delusions.
Key Words
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
לָקַח: to take (in the widest variety of applications)
גָּדוֹל: great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
גִּלָּיוֹן: a tablet for writing (as bare); by analogy, a mirror (as a plate)
כָּתַב: to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֱנוֹשׁ: a man in general (singly or collectively)
חֶרֶט: a chisel or graver; also a style forwriting
מַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּז: Maher-Shalal-Chash-Baz; the symbolical name of the son of Isaiah
עוּד: to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
Cross References
Isaiah 8Identifies the child 'Immanuel' whose land is threatened as the promised Messiah, Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Directly quotes Isa 8:14, applying the 'stone of stumbling' to those who reject Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Quotes the 'stumblingstone and rock of offence' to describe Israel's rejection of Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Quotes 'Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me' in a messianic context.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Explicitly connects the 'waters of Shiloah' with the pool of Siloam, which means 'Sent'.
Supported by JFB
Directly connects the title 'O Immanuel' back to the virgin birth prophecy of chapter 7.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Identifies 'Uriah the priest' as Ahaz's idolatrous accomplice, making him an indisputable historical witness.
Supported by JFB
Records Tiglath-Pileser taking Damascus and Samaria, fulfilling the prophecy of verse 4.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Alludes to Isaiah's command 'neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid' in times of trial.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels writing a vision plainly on tablets/rolls so that the common man can read it.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explains the biblical metaphor of overflowing, strong waters representing invading armies and nations.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the Assyrian flood reaching 'to the neck', sparing the head (Jerusalem) in Sennacherib's invasion.
Supported by JFB
Simeon prophesies that Christ is set for the 'fall and rising again' of many in Israel.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates seeking 'familiar spirits' in times of distress, as Saul sought the witch of Endor.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Intra-chapter link highlighting 'the law' and 'the testimony' as the ultimate standards of truth.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes pointing seekers to 'Moses and the prophets' rather than seeking signs from the dead.
Supported by Matthew Henry