Chú giải Kinh Thánh

Isa 8:1-9:7.

The first seven verses of the ninth chapter belong to this section. The eighth chapter continues the subject of the seventh chapter, but at a later period (compare

Isa 8:4 with Isa 7:16);

implying that the interval till the accomplishment is shorter now than then. The tone of

Isa 8:17, 21, 22,

expresses calamity more immediate and afflictive than

Isa 7:4, 15, 22.

1. great--suitable, for letters large enough to be read by all.

roll--rather, tablet of wood, metal, or stone

(Isa 30:8; Hab 2:2);

sometimes coated with wax, upon which characters were traced with a pointed instrument, or iron stylus; skins and papyrus were also used

(Isa 19:7).

man's pen--that is, in ordinary characters which the humblest can read (so

Hab 2:2).

Hebrew, enosh means a "common man," is contrasted with the upper ranks

(Re 21:17; Ro 3:5).

Not in hieroglyphics. The object was that, after the event, all might see that it had been predicted by Isaiah.

concerning--the title and subject of the prophecy.

Maher-shalal-hash-baz--"They (that is, the Assyrians) hasten to the spoil (namely, to spoil Syria and Samaria), they speed to the prey" [GESENIUS]. Otherwise, "The spoil (that is, spoiler) hastens, the rapine speeds forward" [MAURER].

2. I took--rather, "The Lord said to me, that I should take," &c. [MAURER].

Uriah--an accomplice of Ahaz in idolatry, and therefore a witness not likely to assist the prophet of God in getting up a prophecy after the event

(2Ki 16:10).

The witnesses were in order that when the event should come, they might testify that the tablet containing the prophecy had been inscribed with it at the time that it professed.

Zechariah--

(2Ch 29:13).

3. prophetess--perhaps the same as the "virgin"

(Isa 7:14),

in the interim married as Isaiah's second wife: this is in the primary and temporary sense. Immanuel is even in this sense distinct from Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Thus nineteen months at least intervene from the prophecy

(Isa 7:14),

nine before the birth of Immanuel, and ten from that time to the birth of Maher-shalal-hash-baz: adding eleven or twelve months before the latter could cry, "Father"

(Isa 8:4),

we have about three years in all, agreeing with

Isa 7:15, 16.

4. before, &c.--within a year.

6. waters of Shiloah . . . softly--Their source is on the southeast of Zion and east of Jerusalem. It means "sent," the water being sent through an aqueduct

(Joh 9:7).

Figurative for the mild, though now weak, sway of the house of David; in the highest sense Shiloah expresses the benignant sway of Jehovah in the theocracy, administered through David. Contrast to the violent Euphrates, "the river" that typifies Assyria

(Isa 8:7; Re 17:15).

"This people" refers both to Israel, which preferred an alliance with Rezin of Syria to one with the kings of Judah, and to Judah, a party in which seems to have favored the pretentions of the son of Tabeal against David's line

(Isa 7:6);

also to Judah's desire to seek an Assyrian alliance is included in the censure (compare

Isa 7:17).

Isa 8:14

shows that both nations are meant; both alike rejected the divine Shiloah. Not "My people," as elsewhere, when God expresses favor, but "this people"

(Isa 6:9).

7. therefore--for the reason given in

Isa 8:6,

the Assyrian flood, which is first to overflood Syria and Samaria, shall rise high enough to reach rebel Judah also

(Isa 8:8).

the river--Euphrates swollen in spring by the melting of the snow of the Armenian mountains (compare

Isa 8:6; Isa 7:20).

all his glory--Eastern kings travel with a gorgeous retinue.

channels--natural and artificial in the level region, Mesopotamia.

8. pass through--The flood shall not stop at Syria and Samaria, but shall penetrate into Judea.

the neck--When the waters reach to the neck, a man is near drowning; still the head is not said to be overflowed. Jerusalem, elevated on hills, is the head. The danger shall be so imminent as to reach near it at Sennacherib's invasion in Hezekiah's reign; but it shall be spared

(Isa 30:28).

wings--the extreme bands of the Assyrian armies, fulfilled

(Isa 36:1; 37:25).

thy land, O Immanuel--Though temporarily applied to Isaiah's son, in the full sense this is applicable only to Messiah, that Judea is His, was, and still is, a pledge that, however sorely overwhelmed, it shall be saved at last; the "head" is safe even now, waiting for the times of restoration

(Ac 1:6);

at the same time these words imply that, notwithstanding the temporary deliverance from Syria and Israel, implied in "Immanuel," the greatest calamities are to follow to Judah.

9. Associate yourselves--rather, "Raise tumults," or, Rage, that is, Do your worst [MAURER], referring perhaps to the attack of Rezin and Pekah on Jerusalem.

and . . . be broken in pieces--rather, "yet ye shall be thrown into consternation." Imperative in the Hebrew, according to the idiom whereby the second of two imperatives implies the future, namely, the consequence of the action contained in the first (so

Isa 6:9).

The name "Immanuel" in

Isa 8:8

(compare

Isa 8:10)

suggests the thought of the ultimate safety of Immanuel's land, both from its present two invaders, and even from the Assyrians, notwithstanding the grievous flood, wherewith the previous verses foretell they shall deluge it. The succession of the house of David cannot be set aside in Judah, for Immanuel Messiah is to be born in it as heir of David, of whom Isaiah's son is but a type

(Isa 9:4, 6).

give ear . . . far countries--witness the discomfiture of Judah's enemies. The prophecy probably looks on also to the final conspiracy of Antichrist and his supporters against the Heir of David's throne in the latter days and their utter overthrow [HORSLEY].

gird yourselves . . . gird yourselves--The repetition expresses vehemently the certainty of their being thrown into consternation (not as English Version, "broken in pieces").