Isaiah 8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:12

Say ye not - Do not join in their purposes of forming a confederacy. Do not unite with the king and the people of Judah in their alarms about the threatened invasion by the kings of Syria and Samaria, and in their purpose to form an alliance with the king of Assyria. The reason why they should not do this, he states in Isaiah 8:13, where he exhorts the nation to put confidence in the Lord rather than in man. There has been, however, great diversity in the interpretation of this passage. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:13

Sanctify ... - Regard Yahweh as holy; that is, worship and honor him with pious fear and reverence. Regard him as the source of safety, and the true defense. Ahaz and his people sought for aid from Assyria against the armies of Syria and Samaria. The direction here is rather to seek aid from God.Let him be your fear - Do not be alarmed at what man can do Isaiah 8:12, but fear and honor God. Be afraid to provoke his wrath by looking to other sources of help when his aid only should be sought. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:14

And he shall be for a sanctuary - The word translated sanctuary means, literally, a holy place, a consecrated place, and is usually applied to the tabernacle, or to the temple; Exodus 25:8; Leviticus 12:4; Leviticus 21:12; Jeremiah 51:51. It also means an asylum, or a refuge, to which one might flee in case of danger, and be safe; see Ezekiel 11:16. Among all ancient nations, temples were regarded as safe places to which people might flee when pursued, and when in danger. It was deemed... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:15

And many among them - Many by the invasion under the Assyrian. Many were taken captive; many killed. and many were carried to Babylon. The repetition here of so many expressions so nearly synonymous is emphatic, and shows that it would be certainly done. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:16

Bind up - This expression is one that is applicable to a volume, or roll of writing. Thus far the prophet seems to have had the roll opened, which is mentioned in Isaiah 8:1. Now the prophecy is complete, and he directs to bind it up, or close it. Perhaps, also, it is implied that it would be useless any further to address a rebellious and headstrong people. He had delivered his message, but they disregarded it.The testimony - The message; especially that of which Uriah and Zechariah had been... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:17

And I will wait upon the Lord - This is the commencement of a new subject. The prophet had closed his former message; but had seen that in regard to the great mass of the nation, his exhortation had been in vain. He now says, that having delivered his message, he would patiently look to God alone. His hope was in him, though the nation looked elsewhere; and though calamities were coming, yet he would still trust in God only.That hideth his face - This is a figurative expression, denoting the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:18

Behold, I... - By ‘signs and wonders,’ here, it is meant that they, by the names given them, were intended to teach important lessons to the Jewish people. Their names were significant, and were designed to illustrate some important truth; and especially the prophet here intimates that they were to inculcate the truth in regard to the presence and protection of God, to induce the people to look to him. Thus the name immanuel, ‘God with us,’ Isaiah 7:14; and Shear-jashub, ‘the remnant shall... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:19

And when they shall say - When the people, instead of putting confidence in God, shall propose to apply to necromancers. In the time of Ahaz the people were, as they were often, much inclined to idolatry; 2 Kings 16:10. In their troubles and embarrassments, instead of looking to Yahweh, they imitated the example of surrounding nations, and applied for relief to those who professed to be able to hold converse with spirits. That it was common for idolatrous people to seek direction from those who... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:20

To the law ... - To the revelation which God has given. This is a solemn call of the prophet to try everything by the revealed will of God; see Isaiah 8:16.If they speak not - If the necromancers - those that pretended to have contact with the dead.According to this word - According to what God has revealed. By this standard all their pretended revelations were to be tried. By this standard all doctrines are still to be tried.It is because - There has been a great variety of criticism upon this... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:21

And they shall pass - The people who have been consulting necromancers. This represents the condition of these who have sought for counsel and direction, and who have not found it. They shall be conscious of disappointment, and shall wander perplexed and alarmed through the land.Through it - Through the land. They shall wander in it from one place to another, seeking direction and relief.Hardly bestead - Oppressed, borne down, agitated. The meaning is, that the people would wander about,... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:21

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