Isaiah 8:12

12 “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.

Isaiah 8:12 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
English Standard Version (ESV)
12 "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them.
The Message Bible (MSG)
12 "Don't be like this people, always afraid somebody is plotting against them. Don't fear what they fear. Don't take on their worries.
American Standard Version (ASV)
12 Say ye not, A conspiracy, concerning all whereof this people shall say, A conspiracy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be in dread [thereof].
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
12 "Don't say that everything these people call a conspiracy is a conspiracy. Don't fear what they fear. Don't let it terrify you."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
12 Do not call everything an alliance these people say is an alliance. Do not fear what they fear; do not be terrified.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
12 "People of Judah, do not agree with those who say Isaiah is guilty of treason. Do not fear what they fear. Do not be afraid.

Isaiah 8:12 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 8:12

Say ye not, a confederacy
With the king of Assyria, or any other; do not cry it up as a right thing, and express pleasure and satisfaction in it, and encourage others to come into it, and vote for it, and declare an approbation of it; or a "rebellion", as the Targum, that is, against Ahaz; and so deliver up the kingdom of the house of David into the hands of its enemies: to all [them] to whom this people shall say, a confederacy:
who either were for entering into an alliance with the Assyrian monarch, and sending for him to help; or were for joining with their enemies, to the subversion of the present government. Jarchi interprets this of Shebna the Scribe, and his company; who, as he suggests, conspired against Hezekiah, and secretly made an agreement with Sennacherib king of Assyria; but the former sense is best: neither fear their fear, nor be afraid:
let not the same fear possess you as does them, on account of Syria and Israel combining together against Judah; nor be afraid of their two kings, as they were; since there was nothing to fear from them; it being impossible that the kingdom of Judah should fail until Shiloh came, or Immanuel was born of a virgin in it; nor does it become the people of God, and especially his prophets and ministers, to be afraid of men; since the fear of men brings a snare. See ( 1 Peter 3:14 ) .

Isaiah 8:12 In-Context

10 Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us.
11 This is what the LORD says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people:
12 “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.
13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.
14 He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Isaiah 7:2; Isaiah 20:5; Isaiah 30:1; Isaiah 36:6
  • 2. S Isaiah 7:4; Matthew 10:28
  • 3. 1 Peter 3:14*
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