Isaiahchapter 8

22 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 321 cross-references outward and receives 479 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

Jehovah tells Isaiah to write "Maher-shalal-hash-baz" on a great tablet before witnesses Uriah and Zechariah; the prophetess bears a son given that name, and before he can say "my father," Assyria carries off the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria. Because the people refuse the gentle waters of Shiloah, the River — the king of Assyria — overflows into Judah up to the neck, in "thy land, O Immanuel." Nations may conspire, but "God is with us." Isaiah is told to fear Jehovah alone, who is a sanctuary yet a stone of stumbling to both houses of Israel (8:14, applied to Christ in Romans 9:33 and 1 Peter 2:8). The testimony is bound among disciples; Isaiah and his children stand as signs, and those who consult mediums instead of the law are driven into darkness.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 And Jehovah said unto me, Take thee a great tablet, and write upon it with the pen of a man, For Maher-shalal-hash-baz;

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

3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said Jehovah unto me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

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

5 And Jehovah spake unto me yet again, saying,

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

7 now 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 it shall come up over all its channels, and go over all its banks;

8 and it shall sweep onward into Judah; it shall overflow and pass through; it shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of its wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

9 Make an uproar, O ye peoples, and be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces.