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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 8:9-15

The prophet here returns to speak of the present distress that Ahaz and his court and kingdom were in upon account of the threatening confederacy of the ten tribes and the Syrians against them. And in these verses, I. He triumphs over the invading enemies, and, in effect, sets them at defiance, and bids them do their worst (Isa. 8:9, 10): ?O you people, you of far countries, give ear to what the prophet says to you in God's name.? 1. ?We doubt not but you will now make your utmost efforts... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 8:11

For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand ,.... In the strength of prophecy, as the Targum explains it; and so all the Jews' interpreters understand it of prophecy, as in Ezekiel 1:3 , or, "the Lord spake thus to me, when he took (me) by the hand" F20 בחזקת היד "apprehensione manus", Piscator; "cum manu me apprehenderit", Tigurine version. ; as parents or masters take hold of the hands of children, while they are advising and instructing them, as expressive of their great... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 8:11

With a strong hand "As taking me by the hand" - Eleven MSS., (two ancient), of Kennicott's, thirty-four of De Rossi's, and seven editions, read כחזקת kechezkath ; and so Symmachus, the Syriac, and Vulgate. Or rather with a strong hand, that is, with a strong and powerful influence of the prophetic Spirit. 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 8:11

For the Lord. Mr. Cheyne regards this passage as "a short oracle, complete in itself," and entirely unconnected with what has preceded. But the initial ki , "for," is in that case inexplicable. Spake thus to me with a strong hand ; literally, with strength of hand—i.e. laying a strong grasp upon him; and, as it were, constraining him to attend (comp. Ezekiel 1:3 ; Ezekiel 3:14 , Ezekiel 3:22 , etc.). That I should not walk in the way of this people . Isaiah was bidden not to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:11-15

Our personal relation to God. It is clearly insufficient to know that we are on the same side as that of the majority of the good. The voice of God's people is not always his voice; their way not always his way ( Isaiah 8:11 ). They may call for "a confederacy" when he disapproves of it. They may cry "peace" when he sees only present confusion and future disaster. They may be shaken with fear when they ought to be calm and trustful ( Isaiah 8:12 ). They may be full of complacency when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:11-16

THE GROUNDS OF ISAIAH 'S CONFIDENCE . Having declared his absolute confidence, not only that the attack of Pekah and Rezin will fail ( Isaiah 8:1-4 ), but that Assyria also ( Isaiah 8:8 ), nay, that all the nations of the earth ( Isaiah 8:9 ) will fail, and bring destruction upon themselves, if they "devise devices" against God's true people, the prophet explains the ground of his confidence by relating a special "instruction" which he had received from God some time... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 8:11

For the Lord spake thus - Spake that which immediately follows in the next verse. Warned him not to Unite in the alliance with foreign kingdoms which the nation was about forming.With a strong hand - Margin, ‘With strength of hand.’ That is, when the hand of God urged me. A strong prophetic impulse is often represented as being produced by God’s laying his hand on the prophet; or by his being thus, as it were, urged or impelled to it; Ezekiel 3:14 : ‘The hand of Jehovah was strong upon me;’ 2... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 8:11-12

Isaiah 8:11-12. For the Lord spake thus unto me Here the prophet teaches the people by his own example, as one immediately taught by God, with what dispositions they should receive all the attempts of their enemies, to subvert the kingdom of God in their land, even to the time of the Messiah, of whose manifestation this instruction contains a repeated prophecy for the consolation of the pious, together with a denunciation of the most grievous judgments, spiritual and temporal, upon the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 8:11-22

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

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