Trust the Lord, Not Alliances or Diviners
Isaiah 8:11-22
Isa.8.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כחזקת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- היד: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויסרני: VERB,piel,impf,3,m,sg
- מלכת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Exodus 6:1 (verbal): Uses the phrase of the LORD acting/declaring 'with a strong hand'—similar imagery of divine authoritative action conveyed to the prophet/leader.
- Deuteronomy 5:15 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD's 'mighty hand' as decisive divine action; parallels the motif of Yahweh's powerful intervention that undergirds prophetic command.
- Isaiah 8:12-13 (structural): Immediate literary continuation: the prophet is further instructed not to fear or adopt the ways of the people and to 'sanctify the LORD'—directly develops the command introduced in v.11.
- Ezekiel 2:6-7 (thematic): God commissions Ezekiel to speak God's words to a rebellious people and not to be swayed by them—parallel theme of prophetic obedience and separation from the people's ways.
- Jeremiah 7:24 (thematic): Describes Israel's refusal to listen and their following of their own counsels; parallels Isaiah's warning against walking in the way of this people and the prophet's opposite summons.
Alternative generated candidates
- For thus the LORD spoke to me, with a strong hand; he restrained me from walking in the way of this people, saying,
- For thus the LORD said to me: 'By a mighty hand I have restrained you and turned you from walking in the way of this people, saying—'
Isa.8.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תאמרון: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,pl
- קשר: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- לכל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יאמר: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- קשר: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- מוראו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תיראו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- תעריצו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 8:11 (structural): Immediate context: the prophet is commanded by the LORD about how to respond to the people's alarm; 8:11–12 form a unit instructing Isaiah not to follow public fear.
- Isaiah 8:13 (thematic): Contrasts 8:12: instead of fearing popular conspiracies, the people are told to 'sanctify the LORD' and make Him their fear—redirecting fear toward God alone.
- Isaiah 7:4–9 (thematic): Earlier prophecy to Ahaz likewise warns against yielding to panic over neighboring kings and urges trust rather than fear; shares the motif of refusing the people's alarm.
- Deuteronomy 20:1 (thematic): Instruction in a covenant context not to be afraid of human enemies because the LORD is with Israel—parallels the admonition to reject human-induced fear and trust God.
- Isaiah 41:10 (thematic): Divine reassurance 'Fear not, for I am with you' echoes the call to abandon human fears and find security in God's presence and support.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not say, 'A conspiracy!' concerning all that this people call a conspiracy; and do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.
- Do not say, “A conspiracy!” concerning all that this people calls a conspiracy; and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread of it.
Isa.8.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- תקדישו: VERB,qal,impf,2,pl
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- מוראכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:2,m,pl
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- מערצכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:2,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 8:12 (structural): Immediate context: verse 12 contrasts the people's fear and conspiratorial talk with the prophetic alternative; 8:13 issues the counter-command to sanctify the LORD instead of yielding to that fear.
- Isaiah 8:14 (structural): Direct continuation: 8:14 develops the consequence of 8:13—Yahweh as sanctuary for some and as a stone of stumbling for others, linking sanctification/fear to judgment and protection.
- Deuteronomy 6:13 (verbal): Parallel command-language: Deut 6:13 likewise demands exclusive reverence and fear of Yahweh (‘Fear the LORD your God’/’Sanctify the LORD of hosts’), emphasizing single-minded devotion to God.
- Proverbs 9:10 (thematic): Shared theological theme: both verses place the fear of the LORD at the center of proper orientation to God—Proverbs calls it the beginning of wisdom, Isaiah insists on making Yahweh the object of fear and reverence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
- Sanctify the LORD of hosts; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Isa.8.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- למקדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולאבן: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נגף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולצור: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מכשול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשני: PREP+NUM,card,dual,m
- בתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפח: NOUN,m,sg,abs,prep_l
- ולמוקש: NOUN,m,sg,abs,prep_l,conj_vav
- ליושב: PREP+PTCP,qal,ptcp,m,sg
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:16 (verbal): Introduces the image of a divinely laid stone/foundation (precious cornerstone) that in later interpretation is paired with Isaiah 8:14’s stumbling‑stone motif.
- Romans 9:33 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites Isaiah’s 'stone of stumbling' (and Isaiah 28:16) to describe Christ as both a cornerstone and a cause of stumbling to unbelief.
- 1 Peter 2:6-8 (quotation): Peter quotes Isaiah’s stone‑images (combining Isaiah 28:16 and 8:14) to portray Christ as a chosen cornerstone and a 'stone of stumbling' to those who reject him.
- Psalm 118:22 (thematic): Speaks of 'the stone which the builders rejected' becoming the cornerstone; NT writers link this cornerstone image with Isaiah’s stumbling‑stone theme to describe Christ.
- Matthew 21:44 (allusion): Jesus’ teaching that a stone will crush anyone on whom it falls echoes the dual motif of the stone as foundation/cornerstone and as an instrument of judgment or stumbling (cf. Isaiah 8:14).
Alternative generated candidates
- For he will be a sanctuary and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both houses of Israel— a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
- He will be for a sanctuary and for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both houses of Israel; for a trap and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Isa.8.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכשלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ונפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ונשברו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- ונוקשו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- ונלכדו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 8:14 (verbal): Immediate context: verse 14-15 present the same image—God as a sanctuary yet also a stone of stumbling, a rock of offense, a trap and snare leading many to stumble, fall, and be taken.
- Isaiah 28:16 (allusion): Parallel 'stone' imagery: God lays a tested/precious cornerstone in Zion—contrast between the stone as a sure foundation for some and a stone of stumbling for others (cf. Isa 8:14–15).
- Romans 9:33 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites the 'stone of stumbling' tradition (quoting Isa. 8:14/28:16), applying it to Christ and to those who stumble over him (uses the same stumbling/offense motif).
- 1 Peter 2:8 (quotation): Peter cites the Isaiah tradition ('a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense') and explains that those who disobey the gospel stumble—directly echoing Isa. 8:14–15 imagery of stumbling, falling, and being snared.
Alternative generated candidates
- Many will stumble over it; they will fall and be broken, be snared and captured.
- Many shall stumble over him; they shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.
Isa.8.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- צור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תעודה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חתום: VERB,qal,ptcp,m,sg
- תורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בלמדי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 31:24-26 (structural): Moses finishes writing the law and instructs it be placed beside the ark — a parallel concern for fixing, safeguarding, and entrusting the written testimony of the covenant.
- Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (thematic): The king is commanded to write a copy of the law and keep it with him, echoing the theme of inscribing and preserving the Torah for disciples/leadership.
- Isaiah 30:8 (verbal): ‘Write it upon a table, and note it in a book’ — closely parallels Isaiah’s language of committing the testimony to writing and preserving it among followers.
- Isaiah 29:11-12 (verbal): Imagery of a sealed/book and the need for a learned reader recalls the sealed/inscribed book motif and the difficulty of access to the prophetic word.
- Daniel 12:4,9 (allusion): Daniel’s instruction to seal the book until the time of the end echoes the language and concept of sealing authoritative revelation for a preserved audience or future time.
Alternative generated candidates
- Bind up the testimony; seal the law among my disciples.
- Bind up the testimony; seal the law among my disciples.
Isa.8.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וחכיתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- המסתיר: PART,hip,ptc,_,m,sg,def
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וקויתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 13:1 (verbal): Uses the same language of God hiding his face from the petitioner (“How long… wilt thou hide thy face from me?”), echoing the sense of divine absence in Isaiah 8:17.
- Micah 7:7 (verbal): “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation” closely parallels Isaiah’s resolve to wait/hope in the LORD despite his hidden face—shared vocabulary and theme.
- Lamentations 3:24-26 (verbal): “The LORD is my portion… therefore will I hope in him” and the emphasis on waiting for the LORD correspond to Isaiah’s declaration to wait and hope in God despite apparent abandonment.
- Exodus 33:20,23 (thematic): God’s concealment of his face (No one may see my face and live; I will hide my face) provides an earlier theological backdrop for the motif of the LORD hiding his face from Israel that Isaiah articulates.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I will wait for the LORD who hides his face from the house of Jacob; I will wait for him.
- And I will wait for the LORD, who hides his face from the house of Jacob; I will hope in him.
Isa.8.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- והילדים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאתות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ולמופתים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעם: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- השכן: VERB,qal,ptcp,ms,sg,def
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 8:1-4 (structural): Immediate context: the prophet’s child Maher‑shalal‑hash‑baz is presented as a prophetic sign, paralleling the statement that Isaiah and his children are ‘for signs and wonders.’
- Isaiah 7:14 (thematic): Another birth‑sign in Isaiah (Immanuel) — a child given as a divine sign to Israel, echoing the motif of children as prophetic tokens.
- Exodus 4:2-9 (thematic): God gives miraculous ‘signs’ to his chosen messenger (Moses) to authenticate his word to Israel — parallels the idea of persons (here Isaiah and his children) functioning as signs from the LORD.
- Luke 2:25-32 (allusion): Simeon’s recognition of the infant Jesus as a light and revelation for Israel/Gentiles reflects the NT theme of a child serving as God’s decisive sign to Israel.
- Psalm 48:1-2 (thematic): Affirms the LORD dwelling in Zion — parallels the locative clause ‘from the LORD of hosts who dwelleth in Mount Zion,’ situating divine action and signs in Zion.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and portents in Israel, from the LORD of hosts who dwells on Mount Zion.
- Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and portents in Israel, from the LORD of hosts who dwells on Mount Zion.
Isa.8.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכי: CONJ
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- אליכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- דרשו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- האבות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- הידענים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- המצפצפים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והמהגים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הלוא: PART
- עם: PREP
- אל: NEG
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ידרש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בעד: PREP
- החיים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אל: NEG
- המתים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (verbal): Prohibits divination, necromancy, and consulting the dead—language and legal ban parallel Isaiah's rebuke of seeking mediums and wizards.
- Leviticus 19:31 (verbal): Commands Israel not to turn to mediums and spiritists; echoes Isaiah's warning against consulting the dead and the supernaturally inquisitive.
- 1 Samuel 28:7-20 (allusion): Narrative example in which Saul seeks a medium to summon Samuel from the dead; illustrates the practice Isaiah condemns and its disastrous consequences.
- 2 Chronicles 33:6 (thematic): Reports King Manasseh's use of mediums and spiritists to inquire of the dead—an historical instance of the forbidden practice Isaiah addresses.
- Isaiah 8:20 (structural): Immediate literary contrast and corrective: instead of consulting the dead, Isaiah points readers to 'the law and the testimony' as the authoritative standard.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they say to you, 'Consult the mediums and the necromancers who whisper and mutter,' should not a people consult their God? Will they consult the dead on behalf of the living?
- When they say to you, “Consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should a people not inquire of their God? Shall they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?
Isa.8.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לתורה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולתעודה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אין: PART,neg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- שחר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 8:16 (structural): Immediate context—'Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples' echoes the same language of 'law' and 'testimony' and frames them as the standard for prophetic instruction.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (thematic): Gives the canonical criterion for testing prophets: if a prophet's word does not come to pass, he is not sent by the LORD—parallel to Isaiah's injunction to judge words by the law and testimony.
- Psalm 119:105 (thematic): Describes God's word as a lamp/light; Isaiah's warning 'there is no light in them' echoes the motif of divine revelation as the true light/guide against false instruction.
- Acts 17:11 (thematic): The Bereans 'examined the Scriptures to see whether these things were so'—a New Testament example of testing teaching against Scripture, akin to 'to the law and to the testimony.'
- Jeremiah 28:9 (thematic): States that a prophet of peace is validated when his word comes true—another prophetic-testing principle comparable to Isaiah's demand that words conform to the law and testimony.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there is no dawn for them.
- To the law and to the testimony: if they do not speak according to this word, there is no dawn for them.
Isa.8.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועבר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- נקשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ורעב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- ירעב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- והתקצף: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,sg
- וקלל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- במלכו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ובאלהיו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ופנה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,_,pl
- למעלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:20-22, 65-67 (thematic): Covenantal curses for disobedience include famine, fear, restless wandering and loss of security—conditions that lead to desperation and accusation of rulers and God, paralleling Isaiah’s image of hunger, anger and cursing.
- Psalm 2:1-3 (thematic): The psalm depicts nations conspiring against the Lord and his anointed—thematically parallel to peoples’ rebellion in Isaiah who ‘curse their king and their God.’
- 1 Samuel 8:11-18 (thematic): Samuel’s warning about the abuses of a human king anticipates popular resentment and distress under royal rule; the predicted oppression and resultant regret/anger correspond to Isaiah’s scene of people cursing their king and God in time of need.
- Ezekiel 8:16 (allusion): Ezekiel’s vision of worship on the city roofs (looking to the heavens/host of heaven) parallels Isaiah’s phrase about turning ‘upward,’ suggesting desperate resort to heavenly/alternative sources rather than Yahweh in crisis.
Alternative generated candidates
- They will pass through it, distressed and hungry; and when he is hungry he will be enraged and will curse his king and his gods, and will look upward.
- They will pass through it—hard-pressed and hungry; and when he is hungry he grows angry, and will curse his king and his God, and turn his face upward.
Isa.8.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יביט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- והנה: ADV
- צרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וחשכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מעוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צוקה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואפלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מנדח: PART,piel,act,ms,sg
Parallels
- Joel 2:2 (verbal): Speaks of "a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness," echoing Isa. 8:22's imagery of darkness, gloom, and distress.
- Zephaniah 1:15 (verbal): Uses virtually the same formula—"a day of wrath... a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness"—paralleling the language and eschatological gloom of Isa. 8:22.
- Exodus 10:21-23 (allusion): The plague of "thick darkness" over Egypt (people could not see one another) provides an earlier biblical instance of overwhelming, tangible darkness parallel to Isa. 8:22's oppressive gloom.
- Amos 5:18-20 (thematic): Warns that the coming day of the LORD will be darkness, not light—matching Isa. 8:22's theme that people will look and find trouble, darkness, and anguish rather than deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- He will look to the earth— behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish and thick deep darkness.
- And he will look to the earth—and behold, distress and darkness; the gloom of anguish and thick darkness; and he will be driven into deep gloom.
For thus the LORD spoke to me—by the strength of his hand he restrained me from walking in the way of this people, saying:
Do not call 'conspiracy' about everything that this people call 'conspiracy.' Do not fear what they fear, and do not dread.
Sanctify the LORD of hosts—him shall you revere; he shall be your fear and your dread.
He will be a sanctuary and a stone of stumbling, a rock of offense to both houses of Israel; a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Many among them shall stumble; they shall fall, be broken, be struck down, and be taken captive.
Bind up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples.
I will wait for the LORD who hides his face from the house of Jacob; I will hope in him.
Behold, I and the children the LORD has given me are for signs and portents in Israel—by the LORD of hosts who dwells on Mount Zion. And when they say to you, 'Consult the mediums and the necromancers who whisper and mutter,' should not a people seek counsel from their God? Shall the living consult the dead on behalf of the living?
To the teaching and to the testimony: if they do not speak according to this word, there is no dawn for them.
They will pass through it, harassed and hungry; and when one is hungry he will be enraged and will curse his king and his god, and will turn his face upward.
He will look to the earth—behold distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; light is withheld, and deep darkness falls.