イザヤ書 8:17-20 JC

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:19-22

The confession of ungodliness, etc. The prevalence of the evil and sinister arts of necromancy is exceedingly significant. The attempt to supply knowledge for the living by appealing to the dead ( Isaiah 8:19 ) has been made in every latitude and longitude, in every age, in every condition of society. What is the significance of this fact? We have here— I. THE CONFESSION OF UNGODLINESS AND ITS DEGRADATION . When men have thrown off their allegiance to God, when they have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:20

To the Law and to the testimony . A sort of watchword or battle-cry, to be used by the faithful when God's enemies assailed them. Compare Gideon's cry ( 7:18 ), "For the Lord and for Gideon." If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them ; rather, Surely they will speak according to this word , when there is no dawn for them ; i.e. when they are plunged in darkness ( Isaiah 8:22 ) and distress, and see no prospect of better days, surely... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:20

The standard of truth and morals. This text is not merely a Divine declaration. It rests upon the great fact that man can never be satisfied until he gets a standard of truth and duty outside of and apart from himself. No man anywhere can reach an intelligent satisfaction by becoming wholly a law unto himself. The moral sense in every man is vitiated, and its attestations are uncertain. The testimony of conscience is variable; it is not now always prompt, decided, and faithful in its... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 8:17-18

Isaiah 8:17-18. And Or yet, as the same particle is translated, Jeremiah 2:32; Jeremiah 2:35, and elsewhere; I will wait on the Lord Notwithstanding this dreadful prophecy, concerning the unbelief and rejection of Israel, I will cast my care upon him, and expect the accomplishment of his promise, in sending the Messiah, and in conferring upon me, and all believing Israelites, all his mercies and blessings, to be procured for mankind by his merits; that hideth his face from the house of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 8:19

Isaiah 8:19. And when, &c. The prophet, having foretold the coming of the Messiah, and spoken of the disciples he should have, takes this occasion of addressing the Jews, and reminding them of their duty, as he had done, Isaiah 2:6, compared with Isaiah 8:1-2. He saw the nation much inclined to foreign superstitions, particularly to the divinations, soothsayings, and astrology of the Syrians, Egyptians, &c., but not regarding the pure doctrine of God’s word as they ought: he... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 8:20

Isaiah 8:20. To the law and to the testimony Let this dispute between you and them be determined by God’s word, which is here, and in many other places, called the law, to signify their obligation to believe and obey it; and the testimony, because it is a witness between God and man, of God’s will, and of man’s duty. If they speak not, &c. Your antagonists, who seek to pervert you. No light This proceeds from the darkness of their minds; they are blind, and cannot see. But these... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:19-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:20

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 8:17-18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 8:19

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 8:20

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