20 To the law H8451 and to the testimony: H8584 if they speak H559 not according to this word, H1697 it is because there is no light H7837 in them.
We have G2192 also G2532 a more sure G949 word G3056 of prophecy; G4397 whereunto G3739 ye do G4160 well G2573 that ye take heed, G4337 as G5613 unto a light G3088 that shineth G5316 in G1722 a dark G850 place, G5117 until G2193 G3757 the day G2250 dawn, G1306 and G2532 the day star G5459 arise G393 in G1722 your G5216 hearts: G2588
Therefore night H3915 shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; H2377 and it shall be dark H2821 H2821 unto you, that ye shall not divine; H7080 and the sun H8121 shall go down H935 over the prophets, H5030 and the day H3117 shall be dark H6937 over them.
Now go, H935 write H3789 it before them in a table, H3871 and note H2710 it in a book, H5612 that it may be for the time H3117 to come H314 for H5704 ever H5703 and ever: H5769 That this is a rebellious H4805 people, H5971 lying H3586 children, H1121 children H1121 that will H14 not hear H8085 the law H8451 of the LORD: H3068 Which say H559 to the seers, H7200 See H7200 not; and to the prophets, H2374 Prophesy H2372 not unto us right things, H5229 speak H1696 unto us smooth things, H2513 prophesy H2372 deceits: H4123 Get you out H5493 of the way, H1870 turn aside H5186 out of the path, H734 cause the Holy One H6918 of Israel H3478 to cease H7673 from before H6440 us.
For G1063 G1487 had ye believed G4100 Moses, G3475 ye would have believed G4100 G302 me: G1698 for G1063 he G1565 wrote G1125 of G4012 me. G1700 But G1161 if G1487 ye believe G4100 not G3756 his G1565 writings, G1121 how G4459 shall ye believe G4100 my G1699 words? G4487
The wise H2450 men are ashamed, H3001 they are dismayed H2865 and taken: H3920 lo, they have rejected H3988 the word H1697 of the LORD; H3068 and what wisdom H2451 is in them?
Bind up H6887 the testimony, H8584 seal H2856 the law H8451 among my disciples. H3928
And G1161 the scripture, G1124 foreseeing G4275 that G3754 God G2316 would justify G1344 the heathen G1484 through G1537 faith, G4102 preached before the gospel G4283 unto Abraham, G11 saying, G3754 In G1722 thee G4671 shall G1757 all G3956 nations G1484 be blessed. G1757 So then G5620 they which be of G1537 faith G4102 are blessed G2127 with G4862 faithful G4103 Abraham. G11 For G1063 as many as G3745 are G1526 of G1537 the works G2041 of the law G3551 are G1526 under G5259 the curse: G2671 for G1063 it is written, G1125 Cursed G1944 is every one G3956 that G3739 continueth G1696 not G3756 in G1722 all things G3956 which G3588 are written G1125 in G1722 the book G975 of the law G3551 to do G4160 them. G846 But G1161 that G3754 no man G3762 is justified G1344 by G1722 the law G3551 in the sight G3844 of God, G2316 it is evident: G1212 for, G3754 The just G1342 shall live G2198 by G1537 faith. G4102 And G1161 the law G3551 is G2076 not G3756 of G1537 faith: G4102 but, G235 The man G444 that doeth G4160 them G846 shall live G2198 in G1722 them. G846 Christ G5547 hath redeemed G1805 us G2248 from G1537 the curse G2671 of the law, G3551 being made G1096 a curse G2671 for G5228 us: G2257 for G1063 it is written, G1125 Cursed G1944 is every one G3956 that hangeth G2910 on G1909 a tree: G3586 That G2443 the blessing G2129 of Abraham G11 might come G1096 on G1519 the Gentiles G1484 through G1722 Jesus G2424 Christ; G5547 that G2443 we might receive G2983 the promise G1860 of the Spirit G4151 through G1223 faith. G4102 Brethren, G80 I speak G3004 after the manner of G2596 men; G444 Though it be but G3676 a man's G444 covenant, G1242 yet if it be confirmed, G2964 no man G3762 disannulleth, G114 or G2228 addeth thereto. G1928 Now G1161 to Abraham G11 and G2532 his G846 seed G4690 were G4483 the promises G1860 made. G4483 He saith G3004 not, G3756 And G2532 to seeds, G4690 as G5613 of G1909 many; G4183 but G235 as G5613 of G1909 one, G1520 And G2532 to thy G4675 seed, G4690 which G3739 is G2076 Christ. G5547 And G1161 this G5124 I say, G3004 that the covenant, G1242 that was confirmed before G4300 of G5259 God G2316 in G1519 Christ, G5547 the law, G3551 which was G1096 four hundred G5071 and G2532 thirty G5144 years G2094 after, G3326 cannot G3756 disannul, G208 that G1519 it should make G2673 the promise G1860 of none effect. G2673 For G1063 if G1487 the inheritance G2817 be of G1537 the law, G3551 it is no more G3765 of G1537 promise: G1860 but G1161 God G2316 gave G5483 it to Abraham G11 by G1223 promise. G1860 Wherefore G5101 then G3767 serveth the law? G3551 It was added G4369 because of G5484 transgressions, G3847 till G891 G3757 the seed G4690 should come G2064 to whom G3739 the promise was made; G1861 and it was ordained G1299 by G1223 angels G32 in G1722 the hand G5495 of a mediator. G3316 Now G1161 a mediator G3316 is G2076 not G3756 a mediator of one, G1520 but G1161 God G2316 is G2076 one. G1520 Is the law G3551 then G3767 against G2596 the promises G1860 of God? G2316 God forbid: G3361 G1096 for G1063 if G1487 there had been G1325 a law G3551 given G1325 which G3588 could G1410 have given life, G2227 verily G3689 righteousness G1343 should G302 have been G2258 by G1537 the law. G3551 But G235 the scripture G1124 hath concluded G4788 all G3956 under G5259 sin, G266 that G2443 the promise G1860 by G1537 faith G4102 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 might be given G1325 to them that believe. G4100 But G1161 before G4253 faith G4102 came, G2064 we were kept G5432 under G5259 the law, G3551 shut up G4788 unto G1519 the faith G4102 which should afterwards G3195 be revealed. G601 Wherefore G5620 the law G3551 was G1096 our G2257 schoolmaster G3807 to bring us unto G1519 Christ, G5547 that G2443 we might be justified G1344 by G1537 faith. G4102 But G1161 after that faith G4102 is come, G2064 we are G2070 no longer G2089 G3765 under G5259 a schoolmaster. G3807 For G1063 ye are G2075 all G3956 the children G5207 of God G2316 by G1223 faith G4102 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424 For G1063 as many of you as G3745 have been baptized G907 into G1519 Christ G5547 have put on G1746 Christ. G5547 There is G1762 neither G3756 Jew G2453 nor G3761 Greek, G1672 there is G1762 neither G3756 bond G1401 nor G3761 free, G1658 there is G1762 neither G3756 male G730 nor G2532 female: G2338 for G1063 ye G5210 are G2075 all G3956 one G1520 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424 And G1161 if G1487 ye G5210 be Christ's, G5547 then G686 are ye G2075 Abraham's G11 seed, G4690 and G2532 heirs G2818 according G2596 to the promise. G1860
But G1063 he that G3739 lacketh G3361 G3918 these things G5023 is G2076 blind, G5185 and cannot see afar off, G3467 and hath forgotten G3024 G2983 that he was purged from G2512 his G846 old G3819 sins. G266
And G2532 that G3754 from G575 a child G1025 thou hast known G1492 the holy G2413 scriptures, G1121 which G3588 are able G1410 to make G4679 thee G4571 wise G4679 unto G1519 salvation G4991 through G1223 faith G4102 which G3588 is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424 All G3956 scripture G1124 is given by inspiration of God, G2315 and G2532 is profitable G5624 for G4314 doctrine, G1319 for G4314 reproof, G1650 for G4314 correction, G1882 for G4314 instruction G3809 in G1722 righteousness: G1343 That G2443 the man G444 of God G2316 may be G5600 perfect, G739 throughly furnished G1822 unto G4314 all G3956 good G18 works. G2041
Tell G3004 me, G3427 ye that desire G2309 to be G1511 under G5259 the law, G3551 do ye G191 not G3756 hear G191 the law? G3551 For G1063 it is written, G1125 that G3754 Abraham G11 had G2192 two G1417 sons, G5207 the one G1520 by G1537 a bondmaid, G3814 G2532 the other G1520 by G1537 a freewoman. G1658
The law H8451 of the LORD H3068 is perfect, H8549 converting H7725 the soul: H5315 the testimony H5715 of the LORD H3068 is sure, H539 making wise H2449 the simple. H6612 The statutes H6490 of the LORD H3068 are right, H3477 rejoicing H8055 the heart: H3820 the commandment H4687 of the LORD H3068 is pure, H1249 enlightening H215 the eyes. H5869
Professing themselves G5335 to be G1511 wise, G4680 they became fools, G3471
G1161 These G3778 were G2258 more noble G2104 than those in G1722 Thessalonica, G2332 in that they G3748 received G1209 the word G3056 with G3326 all G3956 readiness of mind, G4288 and searched G350 the scriptures G1124 daily, G2250 G2596 whether G1487 those things G5023 were G2192 so. G3779
Abraham G11 saith G3004 unto him, G846 They have G2192 Moses G3475 and G2532 the prophets; G4396 let them hear G191 them. G846 And G1161 he said, G2036 Nay, G3780 father G3962 Abraham: G11 but G235 if G1437 one G5100 went G4198 unto G4314 them G846 from G575 the dead, G3498 they will repent. G3340 And G1161 he said G2036 unto him, G846 If G1487 they hear G191 not G3756 Moses G3475 and G2532 the prophets, G4396 neither G3761 will they be persuaded, G3982 though G1437 one G5100 rose G450 from G1537 the dead. G3498
G1161 He said G2036 unto G4314 him, G846 What G5101 is written G1125 in G1722 the law? G3551 how G4459 readest thou? G314
Howbeit G1161 in vain G3155 do they worship G4576 me, G3165 teaching G1321 for doctrines G1319 the commandments G1778 of men. G444 For G1063 laying aside G863 the commandment G1785 of God, G2316 ye hold G2902 the tradition G3862 of men, G444 as the washing G909 of pots G3582 and G2532 cups: G4221 and G2532 many G4183 other G243 such G5108 like things G3946 ye do. G4160 And G2532 he said G3004 unto them, G846 Full well G2573 ye reject G114 the commandment G1785 of God, G2316 that G2443 ye may keep G5083 your own G5216 tradition. G3862
Jesus G2424 answered G611 and G1161 said G2036 unto them, G846 Ye do err, G4105 not G3361 knowing G1492 the scriptures, G1124 nor G3366 the power G1411 of God. G2316
Hear H8085 the word H1697 of the LORD, H3068 ye rulers H7101 of Sodom; H5467 give ear H238 unto the law H8451 of our God, H430 ye people H5971 of Gomorrah. H6017
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Isaiah 8
Commentary on Isaiah 8 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 8
Isa 8:1-9:7.
The first seven verses of the ninth chapter belong to this section. The eighth chapter continues the subject of the seventh chapter, but at a later period (compare Isa 8:4 with Isa 7:16); implying that the interval till the accomplishment is shorter now than then. The tone of Isa 8:17, 21, 22, expresses calamity more immediate and afflictive than Isa 7:4, 15, 22.
1. great—suitable, for letters large enough to be read by all.
roll—rather, tablet of wood, metal, or stone (Isa 30:8; Hab 2:2); sometimes coated with wax, upon which characters were traced with a pointed instrument, or iron stylus; skins and papyrus were also used (Isa 19:7).
man's pen—that is, in ordinary characters which the humblest can read (so Hab 2:2). Hebrew, enosh means a "common man," is contrasted with the upper ranks (Re 21:17; Ro 3:5). Not in hieroglyphics. The object was that, after the event, all might see that it had been predicted by Isaiah.
concerning—the title and subject of the prophecy.
Maher-shalal-hash-baz—"They (that is, the Assyrians) hasten to the spoil (namely, to spoil Syria and Samaria), they speed to the prey" [Gesenius]. Otherwise, "The spoil (that is, spoiler) hastens, the rapine speeds forward" [Maurer].
2. I took—rather, "The Lord said to me, that I should take," &c. [Maurer].
Uriah—an accomplice of Ahaz in idolatry, and therefore a witness not likely to assist the prophet of God in getting up a prophecy after the event (2Ki 16:10). The witnesses were in order that when the event should come, they might testify that the tablet containing the prophecy had been inscribed with it at the time that it professed.
Zechariah—(2Ch 29:13).
3. prophetess—perhaps the same as the "virgin" (Isa 7:14), in the interim married as Isaiah's second wife: this is in the primary and temporary sense. Immanuel is even in this sense distinct from Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Thus nineteen months at least intervene from the prophecy (Isa 7:14), nine before the birth of Immanuel, and ten from that time to the birth of Maher-shalal-hash-baz: adding eleven or twelve months before the latter could cry, "Father" (Isa 8:4), we have about three years in all, agreeing with Isa 7:15, 16.
4. before, &c.—within a year.
6. waters of Shiloah … softly—Their source is on the southeast of Zion and east of Jerusalem. It means "sent," the water being sent through an aqueduct (Joh 9:7). Figurative for the mild, though now weak, sway of the house of David; in the highest sense Shiloah expresses the benignant sway of Jehovah in the theocracy, administered through David. Contrast to the violent Euphrates, "the river" that typifies Assyria (Isa 8:7; Re 17:15). "This people" refers both to Israel, which preferred an alliance with Rezin of Syria to one with the kings of Judah, and to Judah, a party in which seems to have favored the pretentions of the son of Tabeal against David's line (Isa 7:6); also to Judah's desire to seek an Assyrian alliance is included in the censure (compare Isa 7:17). Isa 8:14 shows that both nations are meant; both alike rejected the divine Shiloah. Not "My people," as elsewhere, when God expresses favor, but "this people" (Isa 6:9).
7. therefore—for the reason given in Isa 8:6, the Assyrian flood, which is first to overflood Syria and Samaria, shall rise high enough to reach rebel Judah also (Isa 8:8).
the river—Euphrates swollen in spring by the melting of the snow of the Armenian mountains (compare Isa 8:6; Isa 7:20).
all his glory—Eastern kings travel with a gorgeous retinue.
channels—natural and artificial in the level region, Mesopotamia.
8. pass through—The flood shall not stop at Syria and Samaria, but shall penetrate into Judea.
the neck—When the waters reach to the neck, a man is near drowning; still the head is not said to be overflowed. Jerusalem, elevated on hills, is the head. The danger shall be so imminent as to reach near it at Sennacherib's invasion in Hezekiah's reign; but it shall be spared (Isa 30:28).
wings—the extreme bands of the Assyrian armies, fulfilled (Isa 36:1; 37:25).
thy land, O Immanuel—Though temporarily applied to Isaiah's son, in the full sense this is applicable only to Messiah, that Judea is His, was, and still is, a pledge that, however sorely overwhelmed, it shall be saved at last; the "head" is safe even now, waiting for the times of restoration (Ac 1:6); at the same time these words imply that, notwithstanding the temporary deliverance from Syria and Israel, implied in "Immanuel," the greatest calamities are to follow to Judah.
9. Associate yourselves—rather, "Raise tumults," or, Rage, that is, Do your worst [Maurer], referring perhaps to the attack of Rezin and Pekah on Jerusalem.
and … be broken in pieces—rather, "yet ye shall be thrown into consternation." Imperative in the Hebrew, according to the idiom whereby the second of two imperatives implies the future, namely, the consequence of the action contained in the first (so Isa 6:9). The name "Immanuel" in Isa 8:8 (compare Isa 8:10) suggests the thought of the ultimate safety of Immanuel's land, both from its present two invaders, and even from the Assyrians, notwithstanding the grievous flood, wherewith the previous verses foretell they shall deluge it. The succession of the house of David cannot be set aside in Judah, for Immanuel Messiah is to be born in it as heir of David, of whom Isaiah's son is but a type (Isa 9:4, 6).
give ear … far countries—witness the discomfiture of Judah's enemies. The prophecy probably looks on also to the final conspiracy of Antichrist and his supporters against the Heir of David's throne in the latter days and their utter overthrow [Horsley].
gird yourselves … gird yourselves—The repetition expresses vehemently the certainty of their being thrown into consternation (not as English Version, "broken in pieces").
10. the word—of command, for the assault of Jerusalem.
God is with us—"Immanuel" implies this (Nu 14:9; Ps 46:7).
11. with a strong hand—or else, "when He grasped me with His hand" [Horsley]. Maurer, as English Version, "with the impetus of His hand," that is, the felt impulse of His inspiration in my mind (Jer 15:17; Eze 1:3; 3:14, 22; 37:1).
way of … people—their distrust of Jehovah, and the panic which led them and Ahab to seek Assyrian aid.
12-16. The words of Jehovah.
confederacy—rather, a conspiracy; an appropriate term for the unnatural combination of Israel with Syrian foreigners against Judea and the theocracy, to which the former was bound by ties of blood and hereditary religion [Maurer].
to all … say—rather, of all which this people calleth a conspiracy [G. V. Smith].
their fear—namely, object of fear: the hostile conspiracy.
be afraid—rather [Maurer], "nor make others to be afraid."
13. Sanctify—Honor His holy name by regarding Him as your only hope of safety (Isa 29:23; Nu 20:12).
him … fear—"fear" lest you provoke His wrath by your fear of man and distrust of Him.
14. sanctuary—inviolable asylum, like the altar of the temple (1Ki 1:50; 2:28; Eze 11:16; compare Pr 18:10); namely, to those who fear and trust in Him.
but … offence—that is, a rock over which they should fall to their hurt; namely those who would not believe.
both … houses—Israel and Judah. Here again the prophecy expands beyond the temporary application in Ahaz' time. The very stone, Immanuel, which would have been a sanctuary on belief, becomes a fatal stumbling-block through unbelief. Jesus Christ refers to this in Mt 21:44. (Compare De 32:4, 15, 18, 30, 31, 37; Da 2:34; Ro 9:33; 1Pe 2:8).
gin—trap, in which birds are unexpectedly caught (Lu 21:35; 1Th 5:2). So at the destruction of Jerusalem under Titus.
15. stumble … taken—images from the means used in taking wild animals.
16. Bind up … seal—What Isaiah had before briefly noted by inscribing Maher-shalal-hash-baz in a tablet, fixed up in some public place, he afterwards wrote out more in detail in a parchment roll (Isa 30:8); this he is now to seal up, not merely in order that nothing may be added to, or taken from it, as being complete, but to imply that it relates to distant events, and is therefore to be a sealed and not understood testimony (Isa 6:9, 10), except in part among God's "disciples," that is, those who "sanctify the Lord" by obedient trust (Ps 25:14). Subsequent revelations would afterwards clear up what now was dark. So the Apocalypse explains what in Daniel was left unexplained (compare Da 8:26; 12:9). "The words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end"; but Re 22:10, "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy … for the time is at hand" (compare Re 5:1, 5, 9),
testimony—attested by Uriah and Zechariah (Isa 8:2).
law—the revelation just given, having the force of a law.
disciples—not as Maurer, Uriah and Zechariah (compare Joh 7:17; 15:15).
17. I—Whatever the rest of the nation may do, I will look to Jehovah alone.
that hideth … face—though He seems now to withdraw His countenance from Judah (the then representative of "the house of Jacob"). Let us wait and trust in, though we cannot see, Him (Isa 50:10; 54:8; Hab 2:3; Lu 2:25, 38).
18. I and the children—Isaiah means "salvation of Jehovah"; His children's names, also (Isa 7:3, 14; 8:3), were "signs" suggestive of the coming and final deliverance.
wonders—that is, symbols of the future (Isa 20:3; Zec 3:8). "Behold I … me" is quoted in Heb 2:13 to prove the manhood of the Messiah. This is the main and ultimate fulfilment of the prophecy; its temporary meaning is applied to Ahaz' time. Isaiah typically, in Isa 8:17, 18, personates Messiah, who is at once "Father" and "Son," Isaiah and Immanuel, "Child" and "Mighty God," and is therefore called here a "wonder," as in Isa 9:6, "Wonderful." Hence in Heb 2:13, believers are called His "children"; but in Isa 8:11, 12, His "brethren." On "the Lord hath given me," see Joh 6:37, 39; 10:29; 17:12.
which dwelleth in … Zion—and will therefore protect Jerusalem.
19. Seek unto—Consult in your national difficulties.
them … familiar spirits—necromancers, spirit charmers. So Saul, when he had forsaken God (1Sa 28:7, &c.), consulted the witch of En-dor in his difficulties. These follow in the wake of idolatry, which prevailed under Ahaz (2Ki 16:3, 4, 10). He copied the soothsaying as he did the idolatrous "altar" of Damascus (compare Le 20:6, which forbids it, Isa 19:3).
wizards—men claiming supernatural knowledge; from the old English, "to wit," that is, know.
peep—rather "chirp faintly," as young birds do; this sound was generally ascribed to departed spirits; by ventriloquism the soothsayers caused a low sound to proceed as from a grave, or dead person. Hence the Septuagint renders the Hebrew for "necromancers" here "ventriloquists" (compare Isa 29:4).
mutter—moan.
should not, &c.—The answer which Isaiah recommends to be given to those advising to have recourse to necromancers.
for the living, &c.—"should one, for the safety of the living, seek unto (consult) the dead?" [Gesenius]. Lowth renders it, "In place of (consulting) the living, should one consult the dead?"
20. To the law, &c.—the revelation of God by His prophet (Isa 8:16), to which he directs them to refer those who would advise necromancy.
if they speak not … it is because—English Version understands "they" as the necromancers. But the Hebrew rendered "because" is not this but "who"; and "if not," ought rather to be "shall they not"; or, truly they shall speak according to this word, who have no morning light (so the Hebrew, that is, prosperity after the night of sorrows) dawning on them [Maurer and G. V. Smith]. They who are in the dark night of trial, without a dawn of hope, shall surely say so, Do not seek, as we did, to necromancy, but to the law," &c. The law perhaps includes here the law of Moses, which was the "Magna Charta" on which prophetism commented [Kitto].
21, 22. More detailed description of the despair, which they shall fall into, who sought necromancy instead of God; Isa 8:20 implies that too late they shall see how much better it would have been for them to have sought "to the law," &c. (De 32:31). But now they are given over to despair. Therefore, while seeing the truth of God, they only "curse their King and God"; foreshadowing the future, like conduct of those belonging to the "kingdom of the beast," when they shall be visited with divine plagues (Re 16:11; compare Jer 18:12).
through it—namely, the land.
hardly bestead—oppressed with anxiety.
hungry—a more grievous famine than the temporary one in Ahaz' time, owing to Assyria; then there was some food, but none now (Isa 7:15, 22; Le 26:3-5, 14-16, 20).
their king … God—Jehovah, King of the Jews (Ps 5:2; 68:24).
look upward … unto the earth—Whether they look up to heaven, or down towards the land of Judea, nothing but despair shall present itself.
dimness of anguish—darkness of distress (Pr 1:27).
driven to darkness—rather, "thick darkness" (Jer 23:12). Driven onward, as by a sweeping storm. The Jewish rejection of "their King and God," Messiah, was followed by all these awful calamities.