Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:15
15. stumble . . . taken—images from the means used in taking wild animals. read more
Isaiah 8
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:16
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 ( :-); 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 (Isaiah 6:9; Isaiah 6:10), except in part among God's "disciples,"... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:17
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 (Isaiah 50:10; Isaiah 54:8; Habakkuk 2:3; Luke 2:25; Luke 2:38). read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:18
18. I and the children—Isaiah means "salvation of Jehovah"; His children's names, also (Isaiah 7:3; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 8:3), were "signs" suggestive of the coming and final deliverance. wonders—that is, symbols of the future (Isaiah 20:3; Zechariah 3:8). "Behold I . . . me" is quoted in Hebrews 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 Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 8:18,... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:19
19. Seek unto—Consult in your national difficulties. them . . . familiar spirits—necromancers, spirit charmers. So Saul, when he had forsaken God (1 Samuel 28:7, c.), consulted the witch of En-dor in his difficulties. These follow in the wake of idolatry, which prevailed under Ahaz (2 Kings 16:3 2 Kings 16:4; 2 Kings 16:10). He copied the soothsaying as he did the idolatrous "altar" of Damascus (compare Leviticus 20:6, which forbids it, Isaiah 19:3). wizards—men claiming supernatural knowledge;... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:20
20. To the law, c.—the revelation of God by His prophet ( :-), 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... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:21
21, 22. More detailed description of the despair, which they shall fall into, who sought necromancy instead of God; Isaiah 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. (Isaiah 8:20- :). 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... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 8
Clarification of the issue 8:11-9:7Having received two signs of God’s dealing with them in the immediate crisis that they faced, plus accompanying warnings, the people of Judah next received additional incentives to trust Yahweh. read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 8:1
Yahweh instructed Isaiah to take a large flat surface (Heb. gillayon) appropriate for posting as a placard. He was to write clearly on it Maher-shalal-hash-baz ("speeding to the plunder, hurrying to the spoil")."Soldiers would shout these words to their comrades as they defeated and plundered their foes." [Note: J. Martin, p. 1050.] This public notice had a double purpose: to announce a coming attack on Syria and Israel and to announce the birth of Isaiah’s son."Isaiah was to make his message... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:14
14. sanctuary—inviolable asylum, like the altar of the temple (1 Kings 1:50; 1 Kings 2:28; Ezekiel 11:16; compare Proverbs 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... read more