Isaiah 8:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The LORD spoke to me again:

NIV: The LORD spoke to me again:

NASB: Again the Lord spoke to me further, saying,

CSB: The Lord spoke to me again:

NLT: Then the Lord spoke to me again and said,

KJV: The LORD spake also unto me again, saying,

NKJV: The Lord also spoke to me again, saying:

The Lord instructs to Isaiah once more. In Isaiah chapter 6, Isaiah described how the Lord called him to serve as a prophet: God's messenger to the nation of Judah. That lifelong work looked like what is happening in this chapter. The Lord speaks to Isaiah when He is ready to reveal something to His people. From there, Isaiah faithfully delivers God's Word, likely both in spoken form and, in writing as we read it today.

This moment seems to comes some time, maybe a year or two, after the birth of Isaiah's prophecy-fulfilling son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz. This extended name means, "speeding to the plunder, hurrying to the spoil". The Lord will now warn Judah that the destructive power of the Assyrians will not be limited to their enemies. It will overflow its banks and swamp them, as well.

Isaiah 8:1–10 continues the prophetic tone of Isaiah 7. The Lord tells Isaiah to write a name on a sign in front of prominent witnesses. Then Isaiah gives that name to a newborn son. Before that son is old enough to speak, Syria and Israel will be wiped out by Assyria. Assyria will then bring destruction to Judah. This is compared to a mighty river flooding over its banks. In poetry, Isaiah tells the people of Judah that their preparations for war will be meaningless and that they will be shattered.

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.

The prior chapter included a famous prophecy regarding the virgin birth of Jesus. Isaiah 8 continues to prophesy about the coming destruction of Judah's current enemies: Syria and Israel. Isaiah has a son whose name he has written on a sign. Before that son is old enough to talk, Assyria will destroy Judah's enemies and then bring destruction into Judah. The Lord warns Isaiah to honor God, not live in fear. The people will reject God as their foundation, falling into further sin. But Isaiah declares that he and his family will continue to point toward God's faithfulness. Those who reject God's revelation will live in and frustration and despair. This sets up additional prophecies which connect to the ministry of Christ.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 4/29/2024 6:54:57 AM