Isaiah 8

Isaiah 8:1

Moreover, &c.] The sixth Sermon, in this, and the four Chapters following. And that of the same nature, and subject matter for the most part, with that in the last chapter aforegoing. But as that was to Ahaz; so this to the People.

and write in it] Some think, only the name Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Others rather, this whole Sermon or Prophecie contained in these five Chapters.

Maher-shalal hash-baz] As in relation to the King of Assyria, make speed to the spoile, haste to the prey; intimating what he should speedily do to Israel and Syria.

Isaiah 8:2

Witnesses to record] The name given to the childe, and the reason of it.

Uriah the Priest] The High Priest. Of whom, 2 Kings XVI.

Isaiah 8:3

went unto] Or, had gone in to. And so in the words following.

bare a Sonne] Or had borne a Sonne: was newly delivered of a male-childe.

Isaiah 8:6

this people] Of Israel and Samaria.

of Shiloah] The soft rivolet of Jerusalem.

over all his channels] Or rather, with all his channels; or from all his channels, and his banks; meaning his owne; That the King of Ashur should come with all the forces he could make.

Isaiah 8:8

through Judah] Having subdued Israel, should make his way thereby to passe through Judah also.

even to the neck] To Jerusalem; that all Judah should be in danger to be drowned, by the inundation of this river, the Assyrian and his forces.

Isaiah 8:9

Associate your selves] Speaking to the enemies, the Israelites, Syrians, Assyrians, & all their people & armies; & that in way of derision.

and ye shall be broken] All shall turne to your ruine.

Isaiah 8:10

for God is with us] Even that Immanuel, ver. 8. and, ch. VII. 14.

Isaiah 8:11

spake thus to me] To comfort, and confirme the godly in Judah, against their distrusts and fears, in these calamitous times.

a confederacie] Be against that confederacie with the Assyrian.

Isaiah 8:16

Binde up the Testimony] God would not have the Prophet to deale further in this kind, with these faithless and prophane people; but reserve such sacred mysteries to be imparted to the faithful, his disciples.

Isaiah 8:17

And I will waite] The Prophets resolution, what he would do.

Isaiah 8:18

Behold, I, and the children] My self, and my children, chap. XX. 2, 3. and, chap. VII. 16. and, ver. 3, 4. of this chapter. Indeed, Heb. II. 13. These words are produced, as spoken, either of, or by Christ: As likewise those words, 2 Sam. VII. 14. are applied to Christ, Heh. I. 5. And the like is againe in that same text, Heb. II. 13. The truth is, Many speeches of the Prophets, concerning themselves; and many Prophecies concerning Cyrus, and others who were types of Christ, are in the New Testament applied unto Christ; being one way, and in one maner verified of them; and another way, and in another maner also, many times fulfilled in him.

Isaiah 8:19

seek unto them that have familiar spirits] People in times of straits are prone this way, 1 Sam. XXVIII. 7, 15. 2 Kings I. 2. And so likely at this time. The Prophet therfore here armes the faithful against this course.

Isaiah 8:21

And they shall passe] The evil that shall betide such men: In their distresses they shall flit and fling to and fro; but meeting with no meanes of succour or relief, either from above, or below, they shall be at their wits end.

and curse their King] Who brought them to that miserable distress, and should rather have saved and preserved them.

And their God] Even God himself, in their murmuring desperation. Or rather, their Idol-god.

Isaiah 8:22

unto the earth] Downward: or abroad into the Land, as, ch. V. 30.