Isaiah 8:16

16 ¹Bind up the testimony, ²seal the law among ³my disciples.

Isaiah 8:16 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 8:16

Bind up the testimony
These are not the words of the prophet, as Kimchi thinks, but of the Lord to the prophet, and are part of that instruction given him, ( Isaiah 8:11 ) . By "the testimony" is meant the word of prophecy delivered to him; particularly that evangelical part of it respecting Immanuel, who was to be born of a virgin, and would be for a sanctuary to them that believe in him, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, to unbelievers; so the Gospel is called the testimony of Christ, it bearing witness of his person, office, and grace, ( 2 Timothy 1:8 ) and "binding" denotes care of it, as something valuable, that it be not lost, but committed to the trust faithful men, called disciples of Christ in the next clause, in allusion to the binding up of money, or anything of value, in bundles, to be laid up and preserved, ( Genesis 42:35 ) so the Targum,

``O prophet, keep the testimony:''

seal the law among my disciples:
the disciples of Christ, the faithful of that day, and of after times, to whom this prophecy, and the "doctrine" in it, which the word "law" signifies, even the doctrine of Christ, should be transmitted or communicated, which is meant by "sealing" of it; not hiding it from them, but signifying, that while it was a sealed book, a hidden doctrine, and delivered in parables to others, it should be made known to them, and sealed and laid up by them among their treasure, and be so esteemed of; as the Gospel, the doctrine of grace, is, by the true disciples and followers of Christ; who are such as are taught of God, have learned of the Father, who continue in the word and doctrine of Christ, love his people, take up the cross and follow him, and bring forth fruit to the glory of his heavenly Father, ( John 6:45 ) ( 8:31 ) ( 13:35 ) ( 15:8 ) ( Luke 14:27 ) .

Isaiah 8:16 In-Context

14 "Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

15 "Many will stumble over them, Then they will fall and be broken; They will even be snared and caught."

16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

17 And I will wait for the LORD who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob; I will even look eagerly for Him.

18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 8:1, 2; Isaiah 29:11, 12
• 2. Daniel 12:4
• 3. Isaiah 50:4

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "teaching"