Isaiah 8

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 8

1¶ Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.

2And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.

3And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.

4For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.

5The LORD spake also unto me again, saying,

6Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

7Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

8And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

9¶ Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

10Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.

11For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,

12Say ye not, A confederacy, to all [them to] whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

13Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and [let] him [be] your fear, and [let] him [be] your dread.

14And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

15And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

16¶ Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

17And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

18Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me [are] for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

19And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.

21And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

22And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and [they shall be] driven to darkness.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Isaiah chapter 8 begins with the prophecy of Mahershalalhashbaz, signifying the swift plundering of Damascus and Samaria by Assyria. The Lord warns that because Judah rejected the gentle waters of Shiloah, the mighty Assyrian flood will overwhelm them, reaching even to the neck. Amidst this impending judgment, the chapter calls for the people to fear the Lord alone, not human confederacies, for He will be a sanctuary to some but a stumbling block to others.

Medium Summary

The LORD commands Isaiah to record the name Mahershalalhashbaz, meaning 'haste ye to the spoil, swift be the prey,' which is also given to his newborn son, signifying that before the child can speak, Assyria will plunder Damascus and Samaria. Because the people of Judah rejected the quiet waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in their enemies, the Lord will bring the mighty King of Assyria, like an overflowing river, to devastate their land, even reaching Judah. Despite this, the prophecy declares 'Immanuel,' God with us, offering a paradox of judgment and divine presence. The chapter strongly warns against fearing human alliances or confederacies, instead commanding the people to sanctify the LORD of hosts, making Him their fear and dread. He will serve as a sanctuary for the obedient but a stone of stumbling and a snare for both houses of Israel and Jerusalem's inhabitants. Isaiah and his children are presented as signs and wonders, and the chapter concludes by condemning the seeking of familiar spirits, urging adherence to God's law and testimony as the only true light.

Long Summary

Isaiah chapter 8 opens with the LORD instructing the prophet to write the name Mahershalalhashbaz on a great roll, witnessed by Uriah and Zechariah. Subsequently, Isaiah's wife, the prophetess, conceives and bears a son, whom the LORD commands to be named Mahershalalhashbaz. This name serves as a prophetic sign, indicating that before the child reaches an age of understanding, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria. The LORD then pronounces judgment upon Judah, stating that because they have refused the gentle waters of Shiloah and instead found joy in Rezin and Remaliah's son, He will bring upon them the overwhelming waters of the river, symbolizing the strong and numerous forces of the king of Assyria. This Assyrian flood will overflow its banks, pass through Judah, and reach even to the neck, filling the breadth of the land, O Immanuel. Despite this impending devastation, the chapter declares that though nations associate and gird themselves, they shall be broken, for 'God is with us.' The LORD instructs Isaiah not to adopt the fear of the people concerning confederacies, but rather to sanctify the LORD of hosts alone, making Him their fear and their dread. He is promised as a sanctuary, yet also as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to both houses of Israel, and a snare to Jerusalem's inhabitants, causing many to stumble and be taken. Isaiah expresses his commitment to wait upon the LORD, who has hidden His face from Jacob, and declares that he and his children are signs and wonders in Israel. The chapter concludes with a stern warning against seeking familiar spirits and wizards, emphasizing that a people should seek their God, and that adherence 'to the law and to the testimony' is the only source of light. Those who reject this divine guidance will experience hunger, distress, and darkness, cursing their king and their God.

Core Concepts

  • MahershalalhashbazThis prophetic name, meaning 'haste ye to the spoil, swift be the prey,' is given to Isaiah's son as a sign that Damascus and Samaria will be swiftly plundered by the king of Assyria before the child can speak.
  • Assyrian Invasion as a FloodThe LORD describes the king of Assyria and his army as an overflowing river, strong and many, which will devastate Judah, reaching 'even to the neck,' as a consequence of the people's rejection of God's gentle provision.
  • ImmanuelThough the Assyrian invasion is prophesied to engulf the land, the phrase 'O Immanuel' (God with us) is interjected, signifying God's continued presence and ultimate sovereignty amidst judgment, offering a paradox of hope.
  • Fear of the Lord vs. Fear of ManThe chapter commands the people not to fear human confederacies or their fears, but to 'sanctify the LORD of hosts himself,' making Him their sole fear and dread, emphasizing trust in God over political alliances.
  • Sanctuary and Stumbling StoneThe LORD is presented as a dual entity: a sanctuary for those who fear Him, but a 'stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence' to both houses of Israel and Jerusalem, causing many to fall due to their disobedience.
  • Signs and WondersIsaiah and his children are declared by the prophet to be 'for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts,' serving as living prophecies and examples of God's message to the nation.
  • Law and TestimonyThe chapter strongly condemns seeking guidance from familiar spirits and wizards, asserting that the 'law and to the testimony' of God are the only true sources of light and truth for the people.