Isaiah 8:11

11 For why the Lord saith these things to me, as he taught me in a strong hand, that I should not go into the way of this people, and said, (For the Lord saith these things to me, as he taught me with a strong hand, that I should not go in the way of this people, and said,)

Isaiah 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 8:11

For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand
In the strength of prophecy, as the Targum explains it; and so all the Jews' interpreters understand it of prophecy, as in ( Ezekiel 1:3 ) ( 3:14 ) : or, "the Lord spake thus to me, when he took (me) by the hand" ^F20; as parents or masters take hold of the hands of children, while they are advising and instructing them, as expressive of their great affection for them; and when they would retain them with them, or restrain them from doing amiss: and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people:
or join with them in desiring and seeking for the help of the king of Assyria, against Rezin and Remaliah's son; or in being willing to surrender up into their hands: saying;
as follows:

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (dyh tqzxb) "apprehensione manus", Piscator; "cum manu me apprehenderit", Tigurine version.

Isaiah 8:11 In-Context

9 Peoples, be ye gathered together, and be ye overcome; and all lands afar, hear ye. Be ye comforted, and be ye overcome; gird ye you, and be ye overcome (Ye peoples, be ye gathered together, and then be ye overcome; and all the lands afar off, hear ye. Be ye strengthened, and then be ye overcome; gird ye yourselves, and then be ye overcome;)

10 take ye counsel, and it shall be destroyed; speak ye a word, and it shall not be done, for God is with us. (make ye plans, but they shall be destroyed; speak ye a word, but it shall not be done, for God is with us.)

11 For why the Lord saith these things to me, as he taught me in a strong hand, that I should not go into the way of this people, and said, (For the Lord saith these things to me, as he taught me with a strong hand, that I should not go in the way of this people, and said,)

12 Say ye not, It is swearing together, for why all things which this people speaketh is swearing together; and dread ye not the fearedfulness thereof, neither be ye afeared (and dread ye not, nor be ye afraid, of what they fear).

13 Hallow ye the Lord himself of hosts (Hallow ye the Lord of hosts himself); and he shall be your inward dread, and he shall be your fearedfulness, and (then) he shall be to you into hallowing.