Isa 8:17-18 | JFB | STEP | 17. I-- Whatever the rest of the nation may do, I will look to Jehovah alone. that hideth ... face-- though He seems now to withdraw His countenance from Judah (the then representative of "the house of Jacob"). Let us wait and trust in, though we cannot see, Him ( ; ; ; , 38).

‏ Isaiah 8:17-18

17. I--Whatever the rest of the nation may do, I will look to Jehovah alone.

that hideth ... face--though He seems now to withdraw His countenance from Judah (the then representative of "the house of Jacob"). Let us wait and trust in, though we cannot see, Him (Is 50:10; 54:8; Ha 2:3; Lu 2:25, 38).

18. I and the children--Isaiah means "salvation of Jehovah"; His children's names, also (Is 7:3, 14; 8:3), were "signs" suggestive of the coming and final deliverance.

wonders--that is, symbols of the future (Is 20:3; Zec 3:8). "Behold I ... me" is quoted in He 2:13 to prove the manhood of the Messiah. This is the main and ultimate fulfilment of the prophecy; its temporary meaning is applied to Ahaz' time. Isaiah typically, in Is 8:17, 18, personates Messiah, who is at once "Father" and "Son," Isaiah and Immanuel, "Child" and "Mighty God," and is therefore called here a "wonder," as in Is 9:6, "Wonderful." Hence in He 2:13, believers are called His "children"; but in Is 8:11, 12, His "brethren." On "the Lord hath given me," see Joh 6:37, 39; 10:29; 17:12.

which dwelleth in ... Zion--and will therefore protect Jerusalem.