Isaiah 8:13

A Call to Fear God · Isaiah 8:11–18
Read Isaiah 8

Translations

Modern
The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.
Traditional
Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Literal
YHWH of Hosts—Him You shall sanctify, and He is your Fear, and He is your Dread.
Latin
Dominum exercituum ipsum sanctificate; ipse pavor vester, et ipse terror vester:

Original

Hebrew
English
The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.

Notes

you shall regard as holy: This means to give God first place in life and recognize that nothing is greater than he is.

He should be feared: This means honoring God with deep respect (Proverbs 1:7). The people of Judah were not to fear Israel and Syria or the Assyrians (Isaiah 7:9; 10:24).

This text reveals Isaiah's main message. The issue was fear of the Lord versus fear of people (see Isaiah 7:9; 8:6). When someone fears people, the Lord becomes a trap and destruction is certain (compare Proverbs 29:25; see “Fearing People” Theme Note). For those who fear the Lord, he becomes a sanctuary and their salvation is assured.

These prophecies occurred when Assyria rose to power. Syria and Israel formed an alliance against Judah (Isaiah 7:1–2; see 2 Kings 16:5). God used Assyria as a tool to punish Syria, Israel, and Judah (Isaiah 7–10).

Events

Parallels

Ecclesiastes 8:10–13

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Isaiah, Book of Peter, First Letter of

Topics

Christ is God: As Jehovah of Hosts Fear of God: Reverence Godly Fear: God is the Object of Godly Fear: Those Who Have: should not Fear Man Jesus, the Christ: Divinity of Jehovah of Hosts Jesus, the Christ: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to the Divinity of The Diet of the Jews: Generally Prepared by Females