Isaiah 8:19

ESV And when they say to you, "Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter," should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?

NIV When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

NASB When they say to you, 'Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,' should a people not consult their God? Should they consult the dead in behalf of the living?

CSB When they say to you, "Inquire of the mediums and the spiritists who chirp and mutter," shouldn’t a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?

NLT Someone may say to you, 'Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.' But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?

KJV And 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?

NKJV And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?

What does Isaiah 8:19 mean?

Despite upcoming judgement, Isaiah has announced He will not be shaken from his faith in the Lord (Isaiah 8:17). He would continue to hope in God. The people of Judah, though, would not remain so faithful. Unsatisfied with the Lord's words through Isaiah, they would turn to other sources to attempt at getting information or help regarding their uncertain future.

The Lord tells Isaiah how to respond when people suggest information from "mediums" and "necromancers." These would be people who try to communicate with the spirits, or the souls of the dead. Ancestor worship was a common practice in this time. Various rituals were used to keep the spirits of the ancestors content as well as to try to earn their favor and protection. Those who have rejected faith in the Lord may end up seeking help from other "sources." Apparently, some believed that the dead "spoke" through high-pitched chirps and hard-to-follow muttering, which is likely how the Spiritists spoke when trying to channel the dead.

The Lord asks the most obvious question: Why are His people bringing questions to the dead instead of to their Lord God? Israel's first king, Saul, did exactly this in desperate moment of uncertainty. Saul panicked and chose to visit the witch of Endor to seek answers from the prophet Samuel's spirit (1 Samuel 28). Although this may seem like an act of faith on Saul's part, the Lord did not approve of Saul's choice. The Lord allowed Saul to communicate with Samuel. The deceased prophet repeated his previous message, that the Lord's judgement was coming. It is important to note that this was not due to the witch of Endor's power but completely due to God allowing Samuel to speak to Saul (1 Samuel 28:12)

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Context Summary
Isaiah 8:11–22 follows the prophecy about the coming destruction from the Assyrians. It includes a strong warning from the Lord to Isaiah to not follow the sins of the rest of Judah. He must not fear real or imagined threats. Instead, Isaiah must honor God and find safety in Him. The people will reject God, leading to ruin, and being taken away. Isaiah declares he will wait on the Lord and his family will be a sign that God has not abandoned those who trust Him. Those who reject God's Word, however, will remain in darkness.

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Chapter Summary
Isaiah 8 begins with the Lord telling Isaiah to write a name on a large sign. Then Isaiah conceives a son, with a woman referred to as the "prophetess," likely his wife. The son is given the name on the sign. Before the son can speak, Judah's enemies will be wiped out by Assyria. Assyria will then bring destruction on Judah. Isaiah must not live in fear and dread as the people do. They will stumble over the stone of the Lord instead of trusting in Him. Isaiah will continue to hope in the Lord. Those who reject God's truth will live in darkness.

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