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
Isaiah 8:13-15. Sanctify the Lord of hosts Give him the glory of his power, and goodness, and faithfulness, by trusting in his promises for deliverance; and let him be your fear Let God, and not the kings of Syria and Israel, be the chief object of your fear. And he shall be for a sanctuary A sure refuge to all that truly fear him, and rely upon him; but for a stone of stumbling An occasion of sin and ruin, at whom they will take offence, and stumble, so as to fall and be broken, as... read more
Judah rejects Isaiah’s preaching (8:11-22)Once again God reminds Isaiah to trust in him alone. Isaiah is not to follow Ahaz and the people, whether in fearing the Israelite-Syrian alliance or in trusting in Judah’s alliance with Assyria (11-12). God should be the means of Judah’s safety; but if the people do not trust in him they will find that he is the means of their destruction (13-15).When neither the king nor the people heed the messages he brings them from God, Isaiah ceases his public... read more
for a stone of stumbling. Compare 1 Peter 2:7 , 1 Peter 2:8 . Luke 20:17 . Romans 9:32 , Romans 9:33 ; Romans 11:11 . gin = a trap. read more
stumble. fall, &c. Note the Figure of speech Synomymia. read more
Isaiah 8:14-15. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone— We have here, in this third part of the present discourse, first, a prophetic denunciation of the judgment to be displayed in the time of the Messiah, both upon the pious and the impious,—in these verses. Secondly, an exposition of that judgment, in the manner of a dialogue between two persons; God, and a certain illustrious teacher: the former explaining his design concerning the disciples of the latter; the latter assenting to... read more
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
15. stumble . . . taken—images from the means used in taking wild animals. read more
This procedure would make God a refuge and a holy place of peace for the prophet. The Israelites generally, however, would not trust God and would, consequently, find that He tripped them up by bringing judgment on them (cf. Matthew 21:44; Luke 2:34; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8). He would trap them, eventually leading them into captivity. read more
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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