Isaiah 8

Isaiah 8
Isaiah 8
←chapter 7 chapter 9→
	TheGreat Isaiah Scroll,the best preserved of the biblical scrolls found atQumranfrom the second century BC, contains all the verses in this chapter.
Book	Book of Isaiah
Hebrew Bible part	Nevi'im
Order in the Hebrew part	5
Category	Latter Prophets
Christian Bible part	Old Testament
Order in the Christian part	23

Isaiah 8is the eighthchapterof theBook of Isaiahin theHebrew Bibleor theOld Testamentof theChristian Bible.This book contains the prophecies attributed to theprophet Isaiahand is one of theBooks of the Prophets.

Text

The original text was written inHebrew language.This chapter is divided into22 verses in many translations, but in Hebrew texts and some English versionsIsaiah 9:1appears asverse 8:23.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter inHebreware of theMasoretic Texttradition, which includes theCodex Cairensis(895),the Petersburg Codex of the Prophets(916),Aleppo Codex(10th century),Codex Leningradensis(1008).^[1]

Fragments containing parts of this chapter were found among theDead Sea Scrolls(3rd century BC or later):

1QIsa^a:complete
1QIsa^b:extant: verses 1, 8-12
4QIsa^e(4Q59): extant: verses 2‑14
4QIsa^f(4Q60): extant: verses 1, 4‑11
4QIsa^h(4Q62): extant: verses 11‑14

There is also a translation intoKoine Greekknown as theSeptuagint,made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of theSeptuagintversion includeCodex Vaticanus(B; ${\mathfrak {G}}$ ^B;4th century),Codex Sinaiticus(S;BHK: ${\mathfrak {G}}$ ^S;4th century),Codex Alexandrinus(A; ${\mathfrak {G}}$ ^A;5th century) andCodex Marchalianus(Q; ${\mathfrak {G}}$ ^Q;6th century).^[2]

Parashot

Theparashahsections listed here are based on theAleppo Codex.^[3]Isaiah 8 is a part of theProphecies about Judah and Israel (Isaiah 1 -12).{P}: openparashah;{S}: closedparashah.

{P} 8:1-3a {S} 8:3b-4 ויאמר ה' אלי {S} 8:5-8 {S} 8:9-10 {S} 8:11-15 {P} 8:16-18 {S} 8:19-23 [9:1-6 {P}]

The sign of Maher-shalal-hash-baz (8:1–4)

Since the sign ofImmanuel(Isaiah 7:14-17) gives an undisclosed time in the future, another sign is given to deal with the contemporary scene, in the form of a child with an ordinary birth and a name which would be astanding witness(cf.Isaiah 8:18) to the prophecy both about 'the enemy at the gate' (verse 4; cf.Isaiah 7:16) and about the next victim of the Assyrians, which is Judah itself (Isaiah 7:17).^[4]

Verse 1

Moreover the Lord said to me, "Take a large scroll, and write on it with a man’s pen concerning Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz".^[5]

"Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz":Literally," Speed the Spoil, Hasten the Booty "^[6]

Verse 3

Then I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, "Call his name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz";^[7]

The striking similarity withIsaiah 7:14-15 raises an argument that this is a variant version of the same story, but 'the heavily symbolic name given to the unsuspecting child has markedly different overtone'.^[8]

God's gentle flow and Assyria's torrent (8:5–8)

Using evil to fight evil would bring Judah to the path of the torrent/flood which would jeopardize herself as the land ofImmanuel,but for Immanuel's sake, there is a limit set (verse 8:up to the neck;cf.Isaiah 10:24–27).^[4]

God our refuge or our ruin (8:9–15)

This part contains Isaiah's defiant response to the meaning of "Immanuel"(verse 10c:God with us) and to God's insistence (verse 11:his strong hand upon me) that people should reshape their thinking and emotional attitudes (verse 12) round God himself (cf. call to a transformed outlook inRomans 12:2).^[9]

Verse 12

"Do not say, 'A conspiracy,'

Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy,

Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. "^[10]

"Their threats" (NKJV;ESV:"What they fear" ): or "terror".^[11]

Verses 12b–13aare cited in1 Peter 3:14–15which identifiesChristwith the "Lord of hosts" (Lord Almighty) asJesushimself alludedIsaiah 8:14–15inLuke 20:18a(cf.Romans 9:33,1 Peter 2:7–8).^[12]

Verse 13

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

The first part is cited in1 Peter 3:15^[14]

As the oracle of judgement in this part gives clear warning to all conspiring against the community that the presence of Immanuel ('God is with us') will overthrow their plans: There is no political solutions to the community's problems, but the people are to trust in YHWH (Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread).^[8]

Verse 14

He is the sanctuary and the stumbling stone

and the rock that brings down the two houses of Israel;

a trap and a snare for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.^[15]

Cross reference:Isaiah 28:16
Cited inRomans 9:33;1 Peter 2:7–8.^[12]
Alluded to inLuke 20:18a.^[12]

Verse 15

"And many among them shall stumble;

They shall fall and be broken,

Be snared and taken. "^[16]

Alluded to inLuke 20:18a;1 Peter 2:8.^[12]
"Taken": or "captured".^[17]

The light withdrawn (8:16–22)

This part indicates that Israel is losing God's teaching and blessing (verses 16–17), because Israel is refusing the light (verses 19–22), so is only left withsigns(verse 18) and can only expectdarkness(verse 22).^[12]

Verse 16

Bind up the testimony

Seal the law among my disciples.^[18]

This verse relates to the completion of the scroll initiated in verse 1. The expressionmy disciplesis God's new definition for his people in their relation to him.^[12]

Verse 23

For is there no gloom to her that was steadfast?^[19]

TheJerusalem Biblesuggests that this line "seems to be agloss".^[20]

In the former time he debased the land ofZebulon,and the land ofNaphthali;

But in the latter time he hath made it glorious:

Even theway of the sea,beyondJordan,Galilee of the nations.^[19]

This text, which appears asIsaiah 9:1in most modern translations,^[21]forms verse 8:23 in Hebrew texts and some English versions.

References

^Würthwein 1995,pp. 35–37.
^Würthwein 1995,pp. 73–74.
^As reflected in theJewish Publication Society's 1917 edition of the Hebrew Bible in English.
^^a ^bKidner 1994,p. 639.
^Isaiah 8:1 NKJV
^Note [a] on Isaiah 8:1 in NKJV
^Isaiah 8:3NKJV
^^a ^bCoggins 2007,p. 446.
^Kidner 1994,pp. 639–640.
^Isaiah 8:12NKJV
^Note [a] on Isaiah 8:12 in NKJV
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^fKidner 1994,p. 640.
^Isaiah 8:13KJV
^Gill, John.John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible– 1 Peter 3:15
^Isaiah 8:14, CTS New Catholic Bible
^Isaiah 8:15:NKJV
^Note [a] on Isaiah 8:15 in NKJV
^Isaiah 8:16:NKJV
^^a ^bIsaiah 8:23 - JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society of America)
^Jerusalem Bible (1966), Footnote to Isaiah 8:23
^Range of translations inBibleGateway

Sources

Coggins, R. (2007). "22. Isaiah". InBarton, John;Muddiman, John(eds.).The Oxford Bible Commentary(first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 433–486.ISBN 978-0199277186.RetrievedFebruary 6,2019.
Motyer, J. Alec (2015).The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary.InterVarsity Press.ISBN 9780830895243.
Kidner, Derek(1994). "Isaiah". InCarson, D. A.;France, R. T.;Motyer, J. A.;Wenham, G. J.(eds.).New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition(4, illustrated, reprint, revised ed.). Inter-Varsity Press. pp. 629–670.ISBN 9780851106489.
Würthwein, Ernst(1995).The Text of the Old Testament.Translated by Rhodes, Erroll F. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans.ISBN 0-8028-0788-7.RetrievedJanuary 26,2019.

External links

Jewish

Isaiah 8: Hebrew with Parallel English

Christian

Isaiah 8 English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate

[FOOTNOTEWürthwein199535–37-1] Würthwein 1995,pp. 35–37.

[FOOTNOTEWürthwein199573–74-2] Würthwein 1995,pp. 73–74.

[3] As reflected in theJewish Publication Society's 1917 edition of the Hebrew Bible in English.

[FOOTNOTEKidner1994639-4] Kidner 1994,p. 639.

[5] Isaiah 8:1 NKJV

[6] Note [a] on Isaiah 8:1 in NKJV

[7] Isaiah 8:3NKJV

[FOOTNOTECoggins2007446-8] Coggins 2007,p. 446.

[FOOTNOTEKidner1994639–640-9] Kidner 1994,pp. 639–640.

[10] Isaiah 8:12NKJV

[11] Note [a] on Isaiah 8:12 in NKJV

[FOOTNOTEKidner1994640-12] Kidner 1994,p. 640.

[13] Isaiah 8:13KJV

[14] Gill, John.John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible– 1 Peter 3:15

[15] Isaiah 8:14, CTS New Catholic Bible

[16] Isaiah 8:15:NKJV

[17] Note [a] on Isaiah 8:15 in NKJV

[18] Isaiah 8:16:NKJV

[Isa8_23jps-19] Isaiah 8:23 - JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society of America)

[20] Jerusalem Bible (1966), Footnote to Isaiah 8:23

[21] Range of translations inBibleGateway

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