Isaiah 8:20

Translations

Modern

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Traditional

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Literal

…to the law and to the testimony?" If they do not speak this according to the word, it is because there is not in them dawn.

Latin

…ad legem magis et ad testimonium. Quod si non dixerint juxta verbum hoc, non erit eis matutina lux.

Original

Hebrew

English

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Notes

Isaiah 8:20

God gave instructions and teachings through the law and through his prophets, such as Isaiah (see Isaiah 8:16).

Isaiah 8:19–22

Isaiah contrasted his message with the advice of ungodly people around him. His message brought light and truth. The message of spiritists led to darkness and death.
Mediums tried to discover the future through divination (seeking hidden knowledge through rituals). Some claimed to speak with the dead (see Isaiah 19:3). However, God had forbidden these practices because they were empty and harmful (Isaiah 47:9; Deuteronomy 18:9–11).

Isaiah 7:1–12:6

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Calling up the Dead Fearing People God’s Instructions Salvation in Isaiah Trusting God in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

2 Peter 1:19
We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
2 Timothy 3:15–17
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
John 5:39
You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.
John 5:46–47
If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me.
Isaiah 30:8–11
Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever.
Jeremiah 8:9
The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?
Mark 7:7–9
They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’
Romans 1:22
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,
Hosea 6:3
So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.
Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

Glossary

Isaiah, Book of

Topics

Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Contacting the Dead False Doctrines: Try, by Scripture Inerrancy of the Bible Light: Figurative and Symbolical Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments The Scriptures: Everything should be Tried By Word of God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Isaiah 8:20

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics