Isaiah 8

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:5-10

THE FLOOD OF ASSYRIAN INVASION WILL PASS FROM SYRIA AND SAMARIA INTO JUDAEA , BUT WILL THERE BE ARRESTED . Syria and Samaria were barriers, breakwaters, so placed as to stem the tide of invasion, and be a defense to Judaea against Assyrian attack. When once they were overwhelmed, the waters would have free course, and the submersion of Judaea was certain. It might be delayed by the Divine favor, and would be, so long as the people, or even a remnant of them,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:5-15

God with us. The prophet looks out on the troubled prospect as on a deluge, amidst which the ark of promise carrying the elect, the remnant, the Church of the faithful and chosen, is seen riding. I. TEMPORAL ALLUSIONS . 1. The foreign sympathies of the people . Tired of the inefficient reign of Ahaz, they watch for the approach of the two northern kings with interest. They have forgotten their patriotism, which once rallied round the house of David as a political and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:6

Forasmuch as this people. It is a question which people is intended, Judah or Israel. Ewald supposes Judah, and draws the conclusion that there was a strong party in Jerusalem which favored "the son of Tabeal." Dr. Kay does the same, but understands the charge against Judah to be, not that it sympathized with Rezin, but that it fell into the same sins. Other commentators suggest that Israel is the people intended (as in Isaiah 9:16 ), the sense being carried on from Isaiah 8:4 , where... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:6

Waters of Shiloah. The waters of Shiloah issued from the rock where God had set his Name and fixed the symbol of his presence. They were a copious supply, ever welling forth from an inscrutable source for the refreshment and delectation of Israel. Their overplus irrigated numerous gardens in the valley at the base of the temple bill, and made the desert "blossom like the rose." Shiloah is the same as "Shiloh" ( Genesis 49:10 ), and " Shiloh " means "sent," or "he who is sent." Hence we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:6

Jehovah like the waters of Shiloah. The fountain of Siloam, at the mouth of the Tyropaean valley, and so at the roots of both Zion and Moriah, is fed with water which flows through a narrow subterranean conduit from the "Pool of the Virgin." The point of the comparison presented by Isaiah cannot be better stated than in the following passage: "These waters of Shiloah, the sacred waters that came forth from the holy mountain, seemed poor and ignoble in comparison with the Abana and Pharpar of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:7

The waters of the river, strong and many. "The river" is, of course, the Euphrates, as in Isaiah 7:20 . In its lower course the Euphrates often overflows its banks, and inundates the adjacent districts, causing vast damage to crops, and some-limes threatening to break down the walls of cities. It is scarcely likely, however, that Isaiah had any acquaintance with this fact. His experience would probably have been limited to the "swellings of Jordan" ( Jeremiah 12:5 ; comp. Joshua 3:15 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:8

And he shall pass through Judah ; rather, he shall pass on into Judah ("He shall sweep onward into Judah," Revised Version). The Assyrians will not be content with invading Syria and Samaria; they will " pass on into Judaea." It is not clear whether this is to be done immediately by Tiglath-Pileser , or by one of his successors at a later date. There is reason to believe from Tiglath-Pileser's inscriptions that he used the territory of Ahaz for the passage of his armies as those of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:8

Immanuel's land. The figure used in this text is that of an overflowing river, sweeping along in desolating flood, and the great stretches of water, covering the cultivated lands on either side of the stream, are poetically likened to the outspread wings of a flying bird. The first reference of the expression, "Thy land, O Immanuel," may be to the prophetic child that was to be born in the land ( Isaiah 7:14 ). The distant reference may be to the coming of the Lord Jesus, as Immanuel, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:9

Associate yourselves . It is impossible to obtain this meaning from the existing Hebrew text, which must be translated, "Be angry," or "Rage" ("Make an uproar," Revised Version). The prophet passes from the consideration of the opposition offered to Jehovah by Israel , Syria, and Assyria, to a general consideration of all the nations of the earth. He challenges them to the combat against Jehovah, and confidently predicts their defeat. O ye people ; rather, O ye peoples (compare the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:9-10

The impotence of ungodliness. We learn— I. THAT SIN SOMETIMES APPEARS IN IMPOSING ASPECTS . There were four aspects, not to say elements, of power in these world-kingdoms—confederation , preparation (gird yourselves), consultation (take counsel together), authority (speak the word). Sin, which is the great enemy conducting a long campaign against the Church of Christ, certainly seems as superior in strength to its present foe as did these great kingdoms of the East... read more

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