Isaiah 8:19

Geneva Study Bible - Isaiah 8:19

8:19 And when they shall say to you, Seek to them that are mediums, and to wizards that peep, and that mutter: {u} should not a people seek to their God? for the {x} living to the dead?(u) Answer the wicked thus, should not God’s people seek comfort only from him?(x) That is, will they refuse to be taught by the prophet, who is the mouth of God, and seek help from the dead, which is the illusion of Satan? read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Isaiah 8:1-22

JUDAH ’S ALLIANCE WITH ASSYRIA Syria and Israel menaced Judah through Jotham’s reign but the situation has become acute now that Ahaz is on the throne (Isaiah 7:1-2 ). THE PROMISED SIGN The Lord, through Isaiah, counsels and encourages the king at a crisis (Isaiah 7:3-16 ). Notice where the prophet is to meet Ahaz (Isaiah 7:3 ): where he and his military engineers may be conferring as to the water supply during the expected siege. Notice who accompanies the prophet, and his name, which... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Isaiah 8:1-22

Panics and Answers Isaiah 7-8 These chapters are, for popular purposes, practically sealed books. It would be difficult to say with definiteness what they mean. The instances referred to are all of high antiquity, and the immediate local reference would be of little interest to the majority of men, even if it could be determined specifically and finally. We must, therefore, study the two chapters with the view of discovering what we may that is applicable to our own experience, that falls... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Isaiah 8:19

"Handfuls of Purpose" For All Gleaners "Should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" Isa 8:19 Isaiah was surrounded by people who could not rid themselves of the delusion that they ought to consult the soothsayers. In Isaiah's time soothsayers were numerous and popular. Why should they not be consulted as to the fortunes awaiting themselves and others? What were soothsayers for if they were not to be consulted? Thus the supply has a very definite bearing upon the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Isaiah 8:19-22

I do not think it needful to detain the Reader with long observations on this part of the chapter. The advice here given is to the same amount as the former; the Lord utterly condemns all seeking, but to himself. In all ages men are prone to look to anything and everything, for help and counsel, in their distress, rather than to God. Hence the wickedness of fortune-tellers and necromancers, and the like. The Lord hath manifested his displeasure against all of this kind. And it is only to be... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Isaiah 8:19

Seek of pythons. That is, people pretending to tell future things by a prophesying spirit. --- Should not the people seek of their God, for the living of the dead? Here is signified, that it is to God we should pray to be directed, and not to seek of the dead, (that is, of fortune-tellers dead in sin) for the health of the living. (Challoner) --- Mutter. Literally, "use a shrill note," strident. (Haydock) --- so Horace, (1 Sat. viii.) says--- Umbr'e6 cum sagana resonarent triste et acutum.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 8:17-22

17-22 The prophet foresaw that the Lord would hide his face; but he would look for his return in favour to them again. Though not miraculous signs, the children's names were memorials from God, suited to excite attention. The unbelieving Jews were prone to seek counsel in difficulties, from diviners of different descriptions, whose foolish and sinful ceremonies are alluded to. Would we know how we may seek to our God, and come to the knowledge of his mind? To the law and to the testimony; for... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Isaiah 8:16-22

Warning Against False Testimony v. 16. Bind up the testimony, so the Lord says to Immanuel, the Messiah, or directly to Isaiah, seal the Law among My disciples, so that the Word of the Lord is sealed and kept safe through the power of the Savior exerted through the Gospel message. v. 17. And I will wait upon the Lord, so Immanuel or the prophet calls out in cheerful confidence, that hideth His face from the house of Jacob, by rejecting the great mass of unbelievers among the people, and I... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Isaiah 8:16-22

3. THE TESTAMENT OF THE PROPHET TO HIS DISCIPLESCHAPTER Isaiah 8:16 to Isaiah 9:6a) Prayer and Exhortation merging into prophetic visionCHAPTER Isaiah 8:16-22. (Isaiah 9:1)16BIND up the testimony,Seal the law among my disciples.17And I will wait upon the LORD,That hideth his face from the house of Jacob,And I will look for him.18Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given meAre for signs and for wonders in IsraelFrom the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion.19And when they shall... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Isaiah 8:19-22

the Prince of Peace Isaiah 8:19-22 ; Isaiah 9:1-7 When men cease to trust in God and rely on the help of man, they often turn to necromancy and spirit-rapping. The medium takes the place of the Mediator. The séance is sought after instead of the Law and the Testimony. What have God’s children to do with back-stair gossip, when their Father’s presence-chamber is open to them? What He does not tell us is not worth our knowing. The land of Galilee was destined to suffer sorely, but better... read more

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