Isa 8:19-22 | NET2full | STEP | They will say to you, “ Seek oracles at the pits used to conjure up underworld spirits , from the magicians who chirp and mutter incantations. Should people not seek oracles from their gods , by asking the dead about the destiny of the living ?”

Isaiah 8:19-22

Darkness Turns to Light as an Ideal King Arrives

19 ^{▼▼tn It is uncertain if the prophet or the Lord is speaking in vv. 19-22. If the latter, then vv. 19-22 resume the speech recorded in vv. 12-15, after the prophet’s response in vv. 16-18.} They will say to you, “Seek oracles at the pits used to conjure up underworld spirits, from the magicians who chirp and mutter incantations. ^{▼▼tn Heb “inquire of the ritual pits and of the magicians who chirp and mutter.” The Hebrew word אוֹב (ʾov, “ritual pit”) refers to a pit used by a magician to conjure up underworld spirits. In 1 Sam 28:7 the witch of Endor is called a בַּעֲלַת אוֹב (baʿalat ʾov, “owner of a ritual pit”). See H. Hoffner, “Second Millennium Antecedents to the Hebrew ʾÔḆ,” JBL 86 (1967): 385-401.} Should people not seek oracles from their gods, by asking the dead about the destiny of the living?” ^{▼▼tn Heb “Should a nation not inquire of its gods on behalf of the living, (by inquiring) of the dead?” These words appear to be a continuation of the quotation begun in the first part of the verse. אֱלֹהָיו (ʾelohayv) may be translated “its gods” or “its God.” Some take the second half of the verse as the prophet’s (or the Lord’s) rebuke of the people who advise seeking oracles at the ritual pits, but in this case the words “the dead on behalf of the living” are difficult to explain.} 20 Then you must recall the Lord’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. ^{▼▼tn Heb “to [the] instruction and to [the] testimony.” The words “then you must recall” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text vv. 19-20a are one long sentence, reading literally, “When they say to you…, to the instruction and to the testimony.” On the identity of the “instruction” and “testimony” see the notes at v. 16.} Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened. ^{▼▼tn Heb “If they do not speak according to this word, [it is] because it has no light of dawn.” The literal translation suggests that “this word” refers to the instruction/testimony. However, it is likely that אִם לֹא (ʾim-loʾ) is asseverative here, as in 5:9. In this case “this word” refers to the quotation recorded in v. 19. For a discussion of the problem see J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah (NICOT), 230, n. 9. The singular pronoun in the second half of the verse is collective, referring back to the nation (see v. 19b).} 21 They will pass through the land ^{▼▼tn Heb “he will pass through it.” The subject of the collective singular verb is the nation. (See the preceding note.) The immediately preceding context supplies no antecedent for “it” (a third feminine singular suffix in the Hebrew text); the suffix may refer to the land, which would be a reasonable referent with a verb of motion. Note also that אֶרֶץ (ʾerets, “land”) does appear at the beginning of the next verse.} destitute and starving. Their hunger will make them angry, ^{▼▼tn The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.} and they will curse their king and their God ^{▼▼tn Or “gods” (NAB, NRSV, CEV).} as they look upward. 22 When one looks out over the land, he sees ^{▼▼tn Heb “and behold” (so KJV, ASV, NASB).} distress and darkness, gloom ^{▼▼tn The precise meaning of מְעוּף (meʿuf) is uncertain; the word occurs only here. See BDB 734 s.v. מָעוּף.} and anxiety, darkness and people forced from the land. ^{▼▼tn Heb “and darkness, pushed.” The word מְנֻדָּח (menudakh) appears to be a Pual participle from נדח (“push”), but the Piel is unattested for this verb and the Pual occurs only here.}