Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. New Living Translation Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. English Standard Version To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. Berean Standard Bible To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. King James Bible To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. New King James Version To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. New American Standard Bible To the Law and to the testimony! If they do not speak in accordance with this word, it is because they have no dawn. NASB 1995 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. NASB 1977 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. Legacy Standard Bible To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. Amplified Bible [Direct those people] to the law and to the testimony! If their teachings are not in accord with this word, it is because they have no dawn. Christian Standard Bible Go to God’s instruction and testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them. Holman Christian Standard Bible To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them. American Standard Version To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. Contemporary English Version what it should do." None of those who talk like that will live to see the light of day! English Revised Version To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. GOD'S WORD® Translation They should go to the teachings and to the written instructions. If people don't speak these words, it is because it doesn't dawn on them. Good News Translation You are to answer them, "Listen to what the LORD is teaching you! Don't listen to mediums--what they tell you cannot keep trouble away." International Standard Version for instruction and for testimony? Surely they are speaking like this because the truth hasn't dawned on them. Majority Standard Bible To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. NET Bible Then you must recall the LORD's instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened. New Heart English Bible Turn to the law and to the testimony. If they do not speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. Webster's Bible Translation To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. World English Bible Turn to the law and to the covenant! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionTo the Law and to the testimony! If not, let them say after this manner, “That there is no dawn to it.” Young's Literal Translation To the law and to the testimony! If not, let them say after this manner, 'That there is no dawn to it.' Smith's Literal Translation To the law and to the testimony if they will not speak according to this word, because no morning is in them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTo the law rather, and to the testimony. And if they speak not according to this word, they shall not have the morning light. Catholic Public Domain Version And this is, moreover, for the sake of the law and the testimony. But if they do not speak according to this Word, then he will not have the morning light. New American Bible for instruction and testimony?” Surely, those who speak like this are the ones for whom there is no dawn. New Revised Standard Version for teaching and for instruction?” surely, those who speak like this will have no dawn! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAs for the law and the testimony, if they do not speak according to this word, it is because they do not receive a bribe for it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated To the Written Law and to the Testimony, for they will not speak according to this Word, because there is no one to give a bribe for it OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917for instruction and for testimony?'--Surely they will speak according to this word, wherein there is no light.-- Brenton Septuagint Translation For he has given the law for a help, that they should not speak according to this word, concerning which there are no gifts to give for it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Darkness and Light19When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. 21They will roam the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged; and looking upward, they will curse their king and their God.… Cross References Deuteronomy 13:1-4 If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. ... 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. 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. Matthew 5:17-18 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 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, Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 2 Peter 1:19-21 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. / Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. / For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! / As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse! Jeremiah 23:28-29 Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD. / “Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?” 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Proverbs 6:23 For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life, Revelation 22:18-19 I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. / And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. Treasury of Scripture To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. the law Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. Luke 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? Luke 16:29-31 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them… it is Isaiah 30:8-11 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: … Psalm 19:7,8 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple… Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. light. Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Hosea 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Jump to Previous Dawn Daybreak Faith Instruction Law Manner Morning Speak Surely Teaching Testimony Turn Wherein Witness WordJump to Next Dawn Daybreak Faith Instruction Law Manner Morning Speak Surely Teaching Testimony Turn Wherein Witness WordIsaiah 8 1. In Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, he prophesies Syria and Israel shall be subdued by Assyria5. 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 To the law and to the testimony! This phrase emphasizes the importance of adhering to the divine revelation given through the Law (Torah) and the testimony of the prophets. In the context of Isaiah, the "law" refers to the Mosaic Law, which was central to Jewish life and worship. The "testimony" likely refers to the prophetic messages that God delivered through His prophets. This call to the law and testimony underscores the authority of Scripture as the ultimate standard for truth and guidance. It reflects the Jewish understanding of the Torah as the foundation of their covenant relationship with God. This phrase also anticipates the New Testament emphasis on the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:17). If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied during the reigns of several kings of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel during the time of Isaiah. The people of Judah were often warned by Isaiah to return to God and adhere to His commandments. 3. The Law and the Testimony Refers to the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) and the prophetic testimony. These were the foundational texts for the Israelites, providing guidance and revelation from God. 4. False Prophets During Isaiah's time, there were many who claimed to speak for God but led the people astray. Isaiah's message in this verse is a call to discernment against such false teachings. 5. The Light of Dawn Symbolizes understanding, truth, and divine revelation. Those who do not adhere to God's word are described as lacking this light. Teaching Points Adherence to ScriptureThe Bible is the ultimate authority for faith and practice. Believers are called to measure all teachings against the Word of God. Discernment Against False Teachings In a world filled with conflicting messages, Christians must be vigilant and discerning, ensuring that teachings align with biblical truth. The Role of Scripture in Daily Life Regular engagement with the Bible is essential for spiritual growth and understanding. It provides guidance and clarity in a dark world. The Importance of Light Spiritual enlightenment comes from God's Word. Without it, one remains in darkness, lacking true understanding and direction. Community and Accountability Engaging with a community of believers helps in maintaining accountability to the teachings of Scripture and encourages mutual growth.(20) To the law and to the testimony.--The words are only remotely and by analogy an exhortation to the study of Scripture in general, or even to that of the Law of Moses in particular. "The law and the testimony" are obviously here, as in Isaiah 8:16, the "word of Jehovah," spoken to the prophet himself, the revelation which had come to him with such an intensity of power. If they speak not according to this word . . .--The personal pronoun refers to the people of Isaiah 8:19 who were hunting after soothsayers. The second clause should be rendered, for them there is no light of morning. The light here is that of hope rather than of knowledge. No morning dawn should shine on those who haunted the caves and darkened rooms of the diviners, the seances of the spiritualists of Jerusalem. The verse admits, however, of a different construction. As the Hebrew idiom, "If they shall . . ." stands, as in Psalm 95:11; Hebrews 4:3; Hebrews 4:5, for the strongest form of negative prediction, so "if they shall not . . ." may stand here for the strongest form of positive. So taken the verse would read, Surely they will speak according to this word. (i.e., will have recourse to the true Revelation) when there is no morning-dawn for them, when they look above and around, and see nothing but darkness. . . . Verse 20. - To the Law and to the testimony. A sort of watchword or battle-cry, to be used by the faithful when God's enemies assailed them. Compare Gideon's cry (Judges 7:18), "For the Lord and for Gideon." If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them; rather, Surely they will speak according to this word, when there is no dawn for them; i.e. when they are plunged in darkness (ver. 22) and distress, and see no prospect of better days, surely they - the people generally - will rally to this cry, and repeat it, "For the Law and for the testimony." They will not always trust in necromancy.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew To the lawלְתוֹרָ֖ה (lə·ṯō·w·rāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law and to the testimony! וְלִתְעוּדָ֑ה (wə·liṯ·‘ū·ḏāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8584: Attestation, a precept, usage If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not they do not לֹ֤א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no speak יֹֽאמְרוּ֙ (yō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say according to this הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that word, כַּדָּבָ֣ר (kad·dā·ḇār) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause they have no אֵֽין־ (’ên-) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle light of dawn. שָֽׁחַר׃ (šā·ḥar) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7837: Dawn Links Isaiah 8:20 NIVIsaiah 8:20 NLT Isaiah 8:20 ESV Isaiah 8:20 NASB Isaiah 8:20 KJV Isaiah 8:20 BibleApps.com Isaiah 8:20 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 8:20 Chinese Bible Isaiah 8:20 French Bible Isaiah 8:20 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 8:20 Turn to the law and to (Isa Isi Is) |
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