Isaiah 8 17

Isaiah 8:17 kjv

And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

Isaiah 8:17 nkjv

And I will wait on the LORD, Who hides His face from the house of Jacob; And I will hope in Him.

Isaiah 8:17 niv

I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him.

Isaiah 8:17 esv

I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.

Isaiah 8:17 nlt

I will wait for the LORD,
who has turned away from the descendants of Jacob.
I will put my hope in him.

Isaiah 8 verses

Isaiah 8 17 Meaning

This verse signifies a profound decision by the prophet Isaiah and his disciples to place their unwavering trust in the LORD amidst national crisis and uncertainty. It speaks to an intentional, resolute reliance on God's guidance, separating oneself from reliance on human understanding or deceptive alliances. It is a commitment to waiting for and believing in God's promised deliverance, even when it seems distant or unlikely.

Isaiah 8 17 Context

Chapter 8 of Isaiah continues the prophet's bold confrontation with the northern kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah during a period of impending Assyrian invasion. King Ahaz of Judah had previously allied with Assyria against Israel and Syria, a decision Isaiah condemned. This chapter details further signs and prophecies related to the Syro-Ephraimite conflict and the subsequent Assyrian threat. The immediate context for verse 17 is the Assyrian power looming, the people's fear, and the temptation to form earthly alliances. Against this backdrop, Isaiah and his disciples commit to waiting for the LORD. The phrase "hiding his face" refers to God's apparent withdrawal or silence during this crisis.

Isaiah 8 17 Word analysis

• וְ֠עוֹד (wə·‘ōwd): And moreover, and further. Emphasizes a continuing or additional action or statement.

• אֲנִ֠י (’ă·nî): I. The singular first-person pronoun, underscoring Isaiah's personal commitment.

• חוֹלֶ֥ה (ḥô·leh): Waiting, hoping, expecting, longing. The root comes from the verb "to wait" or "to hope." It signifies active expectation and anticipation.

• וְקִוִּ֥יתִי (wə·qiw·wî·ṯî): And I will wait, and I will hope. This verb signifies persistent expectation and the steadfast endurance of hope, often in a context of difficulty or delay. It conveys a sense of commitment.

• לִיהוָ֖ה (li·hō·wāh): To the LORD, unto Jehovah. Direct reference to the covenant name of God (YHWH), emphasizing a reliance on the God of Israel's promises.

• מַסְתִּ֣יר (mas·tîr): Hiding, concealing. The participle of the verb "to hide." It describes God's present action or perceived state.

• פָּנָ֥יו (pā·nāw): His face. Refers to God's presence, favor, or direct communication. "Hiding his face" implies a perceived absence of divine favor or clear guidance.

• מִבֵּית (mib·bêṯ): From the house. Indicates a separation from or departure from a place or lineage.

• יַעֲקֹ֖ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ): Jacob. Refers to the patriarch Jacob, and by extension, to the nation of Israel.

• וְלוֹ (wə·lōw): And to Him. Reinforces the subject of his waiting.

• סָתִ֥יר (sa·ṯîr): I will hide. The future tense of the verb "to hide." It suggests a deliberate withholding of His presence or direct revelation. This action of hiding by God is linked to testing or deepening faith.

• פָּנָֽיו (pā·nāw): His face. Repeated to emphasize the focus of God's hiding, affecting the people's perception of His involvement.

• Word Group Analysis:

  • "I will wait for the LORD" (אָנִי חוֹלֶה וְקִוִּיתִי ליהוָה): This phrase establishes Isaiah's resolute stance, contrasting with the people's potential panic or reliance on worldly solutions. It's an active waiting, not passive resignation.
  • "who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob" (מַסְתִּיר פָּנָיו מִבֵּית יַעֲקֹב): This explains why waiting is necessary. God's withdrawal is understood not as abandonment, but as a context within which faithfulness is tested.
  • "and I will wait for Him" (וְלוֹ אֲנִי סָתִיר): The repetition emphasizes the prophet's determined faithfulness. The second instance, "I will wait for Him," implies an active commitment to abide in this hopeful expectation, possibly to hide himself in God's providence rather than seeking other means. It is a choice to hide in God.

Isaiah 8 17 Bonus section

The concept of God "hiding his face" is significant throughout Scripture. It can represent judgment, chastisement, or a period designed to mature faith. However, the promise attached to such periods, as seen elsewhere, is often one of renewed presence and deliverance once the appointed time has passed. Isaiah's waiting and hoping is therefore an act of faith that anticipates God's eventual unveiling and intervention, echoing themes of redemption and ultimate victory found throughout the biblical narrative. It connects to the New Testament understanding of trusting Christ, who is the ultimate light, even when the world is shrouded in darkness.

Isaiah 8 17 Commentary

Isaiah 8:17 presents a personal vow of faith. While the nation grapples with external threats and possibly turns to deceitful alliances (as indicated in preceding verses), Isaiah declares his personal commitment to actively wait and hope in the LORD. This is not passive waiting, but a confident expectation rooted in God's character and promises, even when His immediate presence or intervention is not apparent ("hiding his face"). The hiding of God's face is a test of faith, prompting His people to look beyond visible circumstances and to trust His unseen governance and future purposes. The prophet's pledge to wait, and even to hide himself in the LORD, signifies a deliberate separation from human strategies and a complete reliance on divine revelation and salvation. This commitment sets a powerful example of spiritual perseverance in times of crisis.