Bible Commentary

Isaiah 8:19-22

The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 8:19-22

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

ISAIAH RECOMMENDS LOOKING TO GOD AND THE REVEALED WORD RATHER THAN TO NECROMANCY. AFFLICTION WILL BRING ISRAEL TO GOD. Isaiah returns, in verse 19, to the consideration of his disciples. In the terrible times impending, they will be recommended to have recourse to necromancy; he urges that they should look to God and the Law.

He then further suggests that, in the coming affliction which he describes (verses 21, 22), men will generally turn for relief to the same quarter (verse 20).

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 8:1-22EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Importance of the Scriptures. (b. c. 740.)THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SCRIPTURES. (B. C. 740.) In these verses we have, I. The unspeakable privilege which the people of God enjoy in having the oracles of God consigned over to them, and being entrusted with the sacred…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 8:16-22The helplessness of superstition. Here a mass of thought is found, struggling for expression as the new-lighted fuel struggles into flame. I. THE ORACLE SEALED. 'Tis time to make an end. Let what has been written remain…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 8:17-22The prophet foresaw that the Lord would hide his face; but he would look for his return in favour to them again. Though not miraculous signs, the children's names were memorials from God, suited to excite attention. The…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 8:19-22The confession of ungodliness, etc. The prevalence of the evil and sinister arts of necromancy is exceedingly significant. The attempt to supply knowledge for the living by appealing to the dead (Isaiah 8:19) has been m…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 8:19Seeking for the living to the dead. The necromancy of ancient times was a system of appeal to the dead on behalf of the living. The shades or ghosts of dead men were supposed to be brought up from Hades by the necromanc…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 8:19Seek unto them that have familiar spirits. In times of great distress the Israelites seem always to have been tempted to consult those among them who pretended to magic and divination. So Saul in the Philistine war reso…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 8:20The standard of truth and morals. This text is not merely a Divine declaration. It rests upon the great fact that man can never be satisfied until he gets a standard of truth and duty outside of and apart from himself.…Joseph S. Exell and contributors