Isaiah 8:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 8:16-22

In these verses we have, I. The unspeakable privilege which the people of God enjoy in having the oracles of God consigned over to them, and being entrusted with the sacred writings. That they may sanctify the Lord of hosts, may make him their fear and find him their sanctuary, bind up the testimony, Isa. 8:16. Note, It is a great instance of God's care of his church and love to it that he has lodged in it the invaluable treasure of divine revelation. 1. It is a testimony and a law; not only... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 8:18

Behold, I, and the children whom the Lord hath given me ,.... These are the words of Christ, as is clear from Hebrews 2:13 who, upon the prophet's declaring his resolution to look and wait for him, presents himself and his children to him, as if he was actually come, or else continues his discourse from the preceding verse; for these are not the words of the prophet, speaking of himself and his natural children, Shearjashub and Mahershalalhashbaz; nor of his spiritual children, his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 8:18

Lord of hosts - One MS. reads צבאות אלהי Elohey tsebaoth , God of hosts. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:16-18

The teacher's distress and his consolation. Those who have taken positions of prominence or of influence in the Church of Christ have to bear their own peculiar burdens as they are gladdened with their own especial joys. The teacher of Divine truth, in whatever particular sphere he may be engaged, whether it be a high or a humble one, is subject to his own discouragements and encouragements. If we ask what are— I. HIS SPECIAL TRIALS , the answer to that question is this: Apparent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:16-22

The helplessness of superstition. Here a mass of thought is found, struggling for expression as the new-lighted fuel struggles into flame. I. THE ORACLE SEALED . 'Tis time to make an end. Let what has been written remain, rolled up and sealed and kept, until the day when those taciturn letters shall find their tongue and burst into flame. And, indeed, every true thing may be said to be "written down for the time to come, forever and ever." It may be lost sight of for a time, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:17-18

ISAIAH DEFINES HIS OWN ATTITUDE AND THAT OF HIS CHILDREN . It is questioned whether something has not fallen out between Isaiah 8:16 and Isaiah 8:17 . The transition is exceedingly abrupt, undoubtedly; but perhaps not more abrupt than elsewhere in Isaiah and the prophets contemporary with him. The Divine "instruction" comes to an end in verse 16; and Isaiah might have been expected to comment on it, or enforce its teaching; but he does neither. He simply states what his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:18

I and the children … are for signs. Isaiah's children seem to have been "for signs," especially in respect of their names. Shear-Jashub meant "A remnant shall return" ( Isaiah 10:21 ), and thus held out two hopes; one that a remnant of Israel would return to God and become his true servants, another that a remnant would return from the captivity that had been prophesied ( Isaiah 5:13 ). Maher-shalal-hash-baz—"Plunder speeds, spoil hastens"—was a "sign" of a different kind. Primarily, his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 8:18

Man every way God's instrument. "Behold, I and the children whom Jehovah hath given me are for signs and for omens in Israel from Jehovah Sabaoth, who dwelleth on Mount Zion" (Cheyne's translation). The thought here is very simple and very familiar, and no more than the statement of divisions, for the ordering of thought, can be necessary. Take St. Paul's figure of the "living sacrifice," as including body, soul, spirit, and relationships, all consecrated to God's service, and illustrate— ... 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

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

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