Isaiah 8:16

16 Bind up the testimony; seal up the teaching among my disciples.

Isaiah 8:16 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 8:16

Bind up the testimony
These are not the words of the prophet, as Kimchi thinks, but of the Lord to the prophet, and are part of that instruction given him, ( Isaiah 8:11 ) . By "the testimony" is meant the word of prophecy delivered to him; particularly that evangelical part of it respecting Immanuel, who was to be born of a virgin, and would be for a sanctuary to them that believe in him, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, to unbelievers; so the Gospel is called the testimony of Christ, it bearing witness of his person, office, and grace, ( 2 Timothy 1:8 ) and "binding" denotes care of it, as something valuable, that it be not lost, but committed to the trust faithful men, called disciples of Christ in the next clause, in allusion to the binding up of money, or anything of value, in bundles, to be laid up and preserved, ( Genesis 42:35 ) so the Targum,

``O prophet, keep the testimony:''

seal the law among my disciples:
the disciples of Christ, the faithful of that day, and of after times, to whom this prophecy, and the "doctrine" in it, which the word "law" signifies, even the doctrine of Christ, should be transmitted or communicated, which is meant by "sealing" of it; not hiding it from them, but signifying, that while it was a sealed book, a hidden doctrine, and delivered in parables to others, it should be made known to them, and sealed and laid up by them among their treasure, and be so esteemed of; as the Gospel, the doctrine of grace, is, by the true disciples and followers of Christ; who are such as are taught of God, have learned of the Father, who continue in the word and doctrine of Christ, love his people, take up the cross and follow him, and bring forth fruit to the glory of his heavenly Father, ( John 6:45 ) ( 8:31 ) ( 13:35 ) ( 15:8 ) ( Luke 14:27 ) .

Isaiah 8:16 In-Context

14 God will become a sanctuary— but he will be a stone to trip over and a rock to stumble on for the two houses of Israel; a trap and a snare for those living in Jerusalem.

15 Many of them will stumble and fall, and be broken, snared, and captured.

16 Bind up the testimony; seal up the teaching among my disciples.

17 I will wait for the LORD, who has hidden his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in God.

18 Look! I and the children the LORD gave me are signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of heavenly forces, who lives on Mount Zion.