Isaiah 8:11

11 For this is what ADONAI said to me, speaking with a strong hand, warning me not to live the way this people does:

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 You may make an uproar, peoples; but you will be shattered. Listen, all of you from distant lands: arm yourselves, but you will be shattered; yes, arm yourselves, but you will be shattered;

10 devise a plan, but it will come to nothing; say anything you like, but it won't happen; because God is with us [Hebrew: 'immanu El].

11 For this is what ADONAI said to me, speaking with a strong hand, warning me not to live the way this people does:

12 "Don't regard as alliance what this people calls alliance, and don't fear what they fear or be awestruck by it;

13 but ADONAI-Tzva'ot - consecrate him! Let him be the object of your fear and awe!