Isaiah 8:13
Isaiah 8:13 in Multiple Translations
The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.
Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Jehovah of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
But let the Lord of armies be holy to you, and go in fear of him, giving honour to him.
The Lord Almighty is the one you should see as holy. He is the one you should fear, he is the one you should be in awe of.
Sanctifie the Lord of hostes, and let him be your feare, and let him be your dread,
Jehovah of Hosts — Him ye do sanctify, And He [is] your Fear, and He your Dread,
The LORD of Armies is who you must respect as holy. He is the one you must fear. He is the one you must dread.
Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself: and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
I, the Commander of the armies of angels, am the one you should consider to be holy. And I am the one you should fear, the one you should revere.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 8:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 8:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶת
יְהוָ֥ה
צְבָא֖וֹת
אֹת֣/וֹ
תַקְדִּ֑ישׁוּ
וְ/ה֥וּא
מוֹרַאֲ/כֶ֖ם
וְ/ה֥וּא
מַֽעֲרִֽצְ/כֶֽם
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
צְבָא֖וֹת
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
N-cp
אֹת֣/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
תַקְדִּ֑ישׁוּ
qâdash
H6942
to consecrate
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
וְ/ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
מוֹרַאֲ/כֶ֖ם
môwrâʼ
H4172
fear
N-ms | Suff
וְ/ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
מַֽעֲרִֽצְ/כֶֽם
ʻârats
H6206
to tremble
V-Hiphil | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 8:13
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
צְבָא֖וֹת
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
N-cp
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
אֹת֣/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
תַקְדִּ֑ישׁוּ
qâdash
H6942
"to consecrate"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
To consecrate means to set something or someone apart as holy or sacred, like the priests in Exodus. This word is about making something clean or pure. It is used in the Bible to describe sacred rituals and moral purity.
Definition: : consecate/sanctify 1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated 1a2) to be hallowed 1a3) consecrated, tabooed 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic 1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred 1b3) to be holy 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate 1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred 1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow 1c4) to consecrate 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be consecrated 1d2) consecrated, dedicated 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set apart, devote, consecrate 1e2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow 1e3) to consecrate 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to keep oneself apart or separate 1f2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God) 1f3) to be observed as holy 1f4) to consecrate oneself
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 2:3; 2 Samuel 11:4; Isaiah 5:16.
וְ/ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
מוֹרַאֲ/כֶ֖ם
môwrâʼ
H4172
"fear"
N-ms | Suff
Fear or terror, this word is used in the Bible to describe a feeling of awe or dread, often in response to God's power or presence. It is used in the book of Isaiah to describe the fear of God.
Definition: 1) fear, reverence, terror 1a) fear, terror 1b) reverence 1c) object of reverence 1d) awe-inspiring spectacle or deed Also means: mo.rah (מוֹרָה "fear" H4172B)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: dread, (that ought to be) fear(-ed), terribleness, terror. See also: Genesis 9:2; Psalms 76:12; Psalms 9:21.
וְ/ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
מַֽעֲרִֽצְ/כֶֽם
ʻârats
H6206
"to tremble"
V-Hiphil | Suff
To tremble or dread means to feel fear or be terrified, like being in awe of something or someone, as described in various Bible stories.
Definition: 1) to tremble, dread, fear, oppress, prevail, break, be terrified, cause to tremble 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cause to tremble, terrify 1b2) to tremble, feel dread 1b) (Niphal) to be awesome, be terrible 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to regard or treat with awe, regard or treat as awful 1c2) to inspire with awe, terrify
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: be affrighted (afraid, dread, feared, terrified), break, dread, fear, oppress, prevail, shake terribly. See also: Deuteronomy 1:29; Psalms 10:18; Psalms 89:8.
Study Notes — Isaiah 8:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 8:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 8:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 8:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 8:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 8:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 8:13
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 8:13
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 8:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 8:13
- Sermons on Isaiah 8:13
Context — A Call to Fear God
11For this is what the LORD has spoken to me with a strong hand, instructing me not to walk in the way of this people:
12“Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread.
13The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.
14And He will be a sanctuary— but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare. 15Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be ensnared and captured.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 12:5 | But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him! |
| 2 | Isaiah 26:3–4 | You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal. |
| 3 | Revelation 15:4 | Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.” |
| 4 | Matthew 10:28 | Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. |
| 5 | Psalms 76:7 | You alone are to be feared. When You are angry, who can stand before You? |
| 6 | Malachi 2:5 | “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. |
| 7 | Numbers 20:12–13 | But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them. |
| 8 | Genesis 31:53 | May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac. |
| 9 | Isaiah 29:23 | For when he sees his children around him, the work of My hands, they will honor My name, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and they will stand in awe of the God of Israel. |
| 10 | Romans 4:20 | Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, |
Isaiah 8:13 Summary
This verse is telling us that we should respect and fear God above all else. It means recognizing how powerful and holy He is, and living our lives in a way that honors Him. We should not be controlled by fear of what other people think or by fear of the things of this world, but instead, we should fear God and trust in His power and love, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Romans 8:28. By fearing God, we can find peace and security in Him, and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to regard God as holy?
To regard God as holy means to recognize and reverence His divine nature and power, as seen in Isaiah 6:1-5, where the prophet Isaiah encounters God's holiness in a vision. This reverence should lead us to fear and dread Him in a way that inspires obedience and worship, as mentioned in Psalm 111:9.
Why should we fear God and not other things?
We should fear God because He is the all-powerful Creator and Judge of the universe, as stated in Genesis 1:1 and Revelation 20:11-15. Fearing God means having a deep respect for His authority and power, which leads us to trust and obey Him, rather than fearing the things of this world, as warned against in Matthew 10:28.
How does fearing God affect our daily lives?
Fearing God should lead us to live a life of obedience and trust in Him, as mentioned in Proverbs 1:7 and Psalm 34:11. This means making decisions that honor Him, seeking His guidance and wisdom, and relying on His power and protection, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Psalm 23:4.
Is fearing God the same as being afraid of Him?
No, fearing God is not the same as being afraid of Him in a negative sense. While it's true that God's power and holiness can evoke a sense of awe and reverence, the fear of God is a positive and healthy fear that leads to trust, obedience, and intimacy with Him, as described in 1 John 4:18 and Psalm 85:9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things in my life that I fear or dread more than God, and how can I shift my focus to fearing Him alone?
- How does my daily life reflect a fear of God, and what areas need improvement?
- What are some ways I can cultivate a deeper reverence for God's holiness in my heart and mind?
- How can I balance the fear of God with the love and grace that He also offers, as seen in 1 John 4:16 and Romans 8:37-39?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 8:13
Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself,.... Christ, Immanuel, God with us, the Lord of the armies above and below, of angels and of men, God over all, the true Jehovah, who is sanctified by his people,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 8:13
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. The words of Yahweh. Verse 12. Say ye not, A confederacy - rather.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 8:13
Sanctify the Lord of hosts; give him the glory of his power, and goodness, and faithfulness, by trusting to his promises for your deliverance. Let him be your fear; let God, and not the kings of Syria and Israel, be the chief object of your fear.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 8:13
Isaiah 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and [let] him [be] your fear, and [let] him [be] your dread.Ver. 13. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself.] Even your sweetest Immanuel; non sanctificatur autem nisi in eam credatar; sanctify him, I say, by believing in your hearts and confessing with your mouths, and walking "as becometh the gospel, … in nothing terrified by your adversaries." And let him be your fear.] That is, the object of your fear, where God is called "Fear" by an appellative proper. So the Chaldee paraphrase frequently calleth God Dechilah. The Greeks call him Yεος, of Dεος, fear. Bernard saith well, God is to be feared as a Lord, honoured as a Father, loved as a spouse. This fear of God is a sovereign remedy against the fear of the creature, and is therefore here and elsewhere opposed to it. Surely, as one fire driveth out another, and as Moses’ serpent swallowed up the sorcerers’ serpents, so here.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 8:13
(13) Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself . . .—The words contain an implicit appeal to the revelation of the Divine Name in Isaiah 6:3. Had the prophet’s disciples entered into the meaning of that “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts?” Had they learnt to sanctify Jehovah Sabaoth, to recognise the power of that infinite holiness?
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 8:13
13. Render: Jehovah of Hosts, Him shall ye count holy, and let Him be (the object of) your fear and (of) your terror. “Count holy” (Isaiah 29:23); recognise as the Holy One, especially by absolute trust in His providential disposition of events; fearing only what would offend Him.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 8:13
Sanctify ... - Regard Yahweh as holy; that is, worship and honor him with pious fear and reverence. Regard him as the source of safety, and the true defense.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 8:13
13. Sanctify, etc. — Regard Jehovah as immutably true. Let him be your fear — Literally, He is your fear and your dread; one whom alone you have true occasion to fear as your sovereign, and love as your protector.
Sermons on Isaiah 8:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Fear of the Lord by Joy Dawson | Joy Dawson emphasizes the critical need for the fear of the Lord within the body of Christ, explaining that true fear is not about being afraid of God but rather having a deep reve |
|
So Great Salvation: The Fear of the Lord by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not just memorizing and reciting the word of God, but truly experiencing and living it. He criticizes the idea of being lik |
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Astonished Reverence by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the essential nature of the fear of God in the life of a Christian, describing it as an 'astonished reverence' that fosters a deep awareness of God's presence |
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1 Peter 3:15 by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the importance of sanctifying the Lord God in our hearts, which involves recognizing and proclaiming His holiness rather than attempting to make Him holy. He e |
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Fear and Awe by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the distinction between fleshly fear and reverential awe of God, urging believers to recognize the power of God's judgments rather than succumbing to anx |
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Epistle 33 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the importance of waiting in the light of Christ, being guided by His power and wisdom, and manifesting the fear and dread of the Lord in all aspects of l |
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Not Enough Pens- nor Enough Paper (A Brief Look Into Jewish Persecution) Introduction by Robert Wurtz II | John Piper preaches on the importance of praising and honoring women who fear the Lord, using Proverbs 31:30 as the focal point. He highlights the acrostic structure of Proverbs 31 |