Isaiah 8:2 And I will appoint for Myself trustworthy witnesses--Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah."

◄ Isaiah 8:2 ►

New International Version
So I called in Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah as reliable witnesses for me.

New Living Translation
I asked Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah, both known as honest men, to witness my doing this.

English Standard Version
And I will get reliable witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah, to attest for me.”

Berean Standard Bible
And I will appoint for Myself trustworthy witnesses—Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah.”

King James Bible
And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.

New King James Version
And I will take for Myself faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”

New American Standard Bible
And I will take to Myself faithful witnesses for testimony, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”

NASB 1995
“And I will take to Myself faithful witnesses for testimony, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”

NASB 1977
“And I will take to Myself faithful witnesses for testimony, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And I will take to Myself faithful witnesses for testimony, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”

Amplified Bible
And I will get faithful witnesses to attest [to this prophecy] for me, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”

Christian Standard Bible
I have appointed trustworthy witnesses—the priest Uriah and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have appointed trustworthy witnesses—Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah.”

American Standard Version
and I will take unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.

Contemporary English Version
I will tell Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah to serve as witnesses to this."

English Revised Version
and I will take unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will have these dependable witnesses testify: the priest Uriah and Zechariah (son of Jeberechiah)."

Good News Translation
Get two reliable men, the priest Uriah and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah, to serve as witnesses."

International Standard Version
Then I will call Uriah the priest and Jeberechiah's son Zechariah as reliable witnesses to testify on my behalf."

Majority Standard Bible
And I will appoint for Myself trustworthy witnesses—Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah.”

NET Bible
Then I will summon as my reliable witnesses Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah."

New Heart English Bible
and I will take for myself faithful witnesses to testify: Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah."

Webster's Bible Translation
And I took to me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.

World English Bible
and I will take for myself faithful witnesses to testify: Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And I cause faithful witnesses to testify to me, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah.

Young's Literal Translation
And I cause faithful witnesses to testify to me, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah.

Smith's Literal Translation
I will take to witness to me faithful witnesses, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I took unto me faithful witnesses, Urias the priest, and Zacharias the son of Barachias.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I summoned to myself faithful witnesses: Uriah, the priest, and Zechariah, the son of Berechiah.

New American Bible
and call reliable witnesses for me, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah, son of Jeberechiah.

New Revised Standard Version
and have it attested for me by reliable witnesses, the priest Uriah and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And I took to me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Berechiah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And witnesses who are trustworthy testified to me, to Uriah the Priest and to Zachariah son of Barachiah

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
and I will take unto Me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And make me witnesses of faithful men, Urias, and Zacharias the son of Barachias.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Assyrian Invasion Prophesied
1Then the LORD said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary stylus: Maher-shalal-hash-baz. 2And I will appoint for Myself trustworthy witnesses— Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah.” 3And I had relations with the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. The LORD said to me, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Matthew 1:22-23
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: / “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).

Hebrews 2:13
And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And once again: “Here am I, and the children God has given Me.”

Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.

Isaiah 30:8
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.

Isaiah 44:8
Do not tremble or fear. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are My witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no other Rock; I know not one.”

Isaiah 55:4
Behold, I have made him a witness to the nations, a leader and commander of the peoples.

Jeremiah 32:10-12
I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. / Then I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy— / and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.

Jeremiah 36:4
So Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and at the dictation of Jeremiah, Baruch wrote on a scroll all the words that the LORD had spoken to Jeremiah.

Matthew 18:16
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

2 Corinthians 13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

Deuteronomy 19:15
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

John 8:17
Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.

1 Timothy 5:19
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Treasury of Scripture

And I took to me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.

I took

Ruth 4:2,10,11
And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down…

2 Corinthians 13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Uriah

2 Kings 16:10,11
And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof…

2 Kings 18:2
Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

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Isaiah 8

1. In Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, he prophesies Syria and Israel shall be subdued by Assyria
5. Judah likewise for their infidelity
9. God's judgments shall be irresistible
11. Comfort shall be to those who fear God
19. Great afflictions to idolaters

Berean Study Bible

And I will appoint
The phrase "And I will appoint" indicates a deliberate and sovereign action by God. The Hebrew root for "appoint" is "שׂוּם" (sum), which means to set, place, or establish. This reflects God's authority and intentionality in choosing individuals for His purposes. In the biblical context, God's appointments are not arbitrary but are part of His divine plan, underscoring His omniscience and omnipotence.

for Myself
The phrase "for Myself" emphasizes God's personal involvement and interest in the matter at hand. It signifies that the witnesses are chosen not for human purposes but for God's own divine reasons. This highlights the personal nature of God's relationship with His people and His direct intervention in human affairs.

trustworthy witnesses
The term "trustworthy" comes from the Hebrew word "אֱמוּנָה" (emunah), meaning faithfulness or reliability. In the biblical context, a trustworthy witness is one who is faithful to the truth and can be relied upon to testify accurately. This reflects the importance of integrity and truthfulness in God's kingdom. The role of witnesses in ancient Israel was crucial, as they were responsible for confirming the truth in legal and covenantal matters.

Uriah the priest
Uriah the priest is mentioned here as one of the trustworthy witnesses. The name "Uriah" means "Yahweh is my light." As a priest, Uriah held a position of spiritual authority and responsibility in Israel. His inclusion as a witness underscores the importance of spiritual leaders in upholding God's truth and serving as mediators between God and His people. Historically, priests were seen as custodians of the law and were expected to live lives of holiness and integrity.

and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah
Zechariah, whose name means "Yahweh remembers," is identified as the son of Jeberekiah. The mention of his lineage serves to distinguish him from other individuals named Zechariah in the Bible. In the context of Isaiah, Zechariah's role as a witness alongside Uriah highlights the importance of having multiple credible witnesses to confirm God's message. This practice aligns with the biblical principle found in Deuteronomy 19:15, which states that a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) And I took unto me faithful witnesses.--That the prophet's challenge to his gainsayers might be made more emphatic, the setting-up of the tablet is to be formally attested. And the witnesses whom the prophet calls were probably men of high position, among those who had been foremost in advising the alliance with Assyria. Of Uriah or Urijah, the priest, we know that he complied with the king's desire to introduce an altar after the pattern which he had seen at Damascus (2Kings 16:10-11). Of Zechariah we know nothing; but the name was a priestly one (2Chronicles 24:20), and it has been conjectured, from his association with Isaiah, that he may have been the writer of a section of the book that bears the name of a later Zechariah (Zechariah 9-12), which bears traces of being of a much earlier date than the rest of the book. The combination of "Zachariah, son of Jeberechiah" reminds us of Zacharias, the son of Barachias, and points to a priestly family. (See Note on Matthew 23:35.) In 2Chronicles 29:13 the name appears as belonging to the Asaph section of the Levites. A more probable view is that he was identical with the father of the queen then reigning, and was therefore the grandfather of Hezekiah (2Chronicles 29:1). Probably, looking to the prophet's habit of tracing auguries in names, the two witnesses may have been partly chosen for the significance of those which they bore, Uriah, i.e., "Jah is my light," Zechariah, i.e., "Jah will remember," each of which comes in with a special appropriateness.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - And I took unto me; rather, and I will have taken for me. It is still God who is speaking. Uriah the priest. Probably the high priest of the time, mentioned in 2 Kings 16:10-16, as the ready tool of Ahaz at a later date. Though a bad man, he may have been a trustworthy witness to a fact. Zechariah. Perhaps the father of Abi or Abijah, Ahaz's queen (2 Kings 18:2; 2 Chronicles 29:1). It would serve to call public attention still more to the tablet, if it bore the names of two such eminent persons as witnesses.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And I will appoint
וְאָעִ֣ידָה (wə·’ā·‘î·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 5749: To duplicate, repeat, to protest, testify, to encompass, restore

for myself
לִּ֔י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

trustworthy
נֶאֱמָנִ֑ים (ne·’ĕ·mā·nîm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 539: To confirm, support

witnesses—
עֵדִ֖ים (‘ê·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

Uriah
אוּרִיָּ֣ה (’ū·rî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 223: Uriah -- 'flame of Yah', the name of a Hittite and of two Israelites

the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

and Zechariah
זְכַרְיָ֖הוּ (zə·ḵar·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2148: Zachariah -- the name of a number of Israelites

son
בֶּ֥ן (ben)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jeberekiah.”
יְבֶרֶכְיָֽהוּ׃ (yə·ḇe·reḵ·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3000: Jeberechiah -- 'Yah blesses', the name of several Israelites

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OT Prophets: Isaiah 8:2 And I will take for myself faithful (Isa Isi Is)