Isaiah 8:12

Say ye not, A confederacy, to all [them to] whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

Say {H559} ye not, A confederacy {H7195}, to all them to whom this people {H5971} shall say {H559}, A confederacy {H7195}; neither fear {H3372} ye their fear {H4172}, nor be afraid {H6206}.

"Don't regard as alliance what this people calls alliance, and don't fear what they fear or be awestruck by it;

“Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread.

Say ye not, A conspiracy, concerning all whereof this people shall say, A conspiracy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be in dread thereof.

Isaiah 8:12 delivers a powerful divine injunction against succumbing to fear and human alliances during times of national crisis. This verse, spoken through the prophet Isaiah, warns the people of Judah not to join in the panic or the political scheming of those around them, specifically regarding perceived threats or alliances.

Context

This prophecy is set during a critical period in Judah's history, around 735-734 BC, known as the Syro-Ephraimite War. King Ahaz of Judah was facing immense pressure from a coalition (a "confederacy") of Aram (Syria) and Israel (Ephraim), who sought to force Judah into an anti-Assyrian alliance. Instead of trusting in the Lord, King Ahaz chose to seek help from the powerful Assyrian empire, a decision that would ultimately lead to Judah's subjugation. Isaiah’s message throughout this section of his book (chapters 7-8) is a consistent call to faith and trust in God's sovereignty over human fears and political maneuvers. The phrase "this people" likely refers to the segment of Judah's population or leadership who were either advocating for such alliances or paralyzed by fear of them.

The command in verse 12 directly follows Isaiah's declaration in verse 11 that the Lord had instructed him not to "walk in the way of this people." It logically leads into the profound statement in the very next verse, Isaiah 8:13, which directs the people to "Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." This juxtaposition clearly sets the fear of God against the fear of man.

Key Themes

  • Trust vs. Fear: The central message is a stark contrast between trusting in God's protection and succumbing to the fear of human conspiracies or alliances. God calls His people to rise above the panic and worldly solutions.
  • Divine Sovereignty: This verse underscores God's ultimate control over nations and their affairs. The call not to fear human "confederacies" implies that such plots are ultimately subject to God's will.
  • Non-Conformity to Worldly Mindsets: Believers are commanded not to adopt the anxieties, strategies, or fears of the surrounding ungodly world or even fearful segments of their own society.
  • God as the True Source of Security: By rejecting fear of man, the verse implicitly points to the Lord as the only reliable source of safety and peace, a theme explicitly stated in Isaiah 8:13.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "confederacy" is קֶשֶׁר (qesher), which literally means a "bond" or "knot," but in this context, it carries the connotation of a "conspiracy," "plot," or "alliance." It refers to a secret agreement or hostile combination. The repetition of "Say ye not, A confederacy... to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy" emphasizes the pervasive nature of this fear and the pressure to conform to it. The phrase "neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid" is a forceful double negative, strongly prohibiting the adoption of the panic and terror felt by those who lack divine trust.

Practical Application

Isaiah 8:12 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. In a world often characterized by political instability, economic anxieties, and societal unrest, this verse calls us to:

In essence, Isaiah 8:12 is a timeless reminder for God's people to maintain their distinct identity and trust in Him, refusing to be swayed by the fears and schemes of a world that does not acknowledge His ultimate authority.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Peter 3:14

    But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy [are ye]: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

  • 1 Peter 3:15

    But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

  • Luke 21:9

    But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by.

  • Psalms 53:5

    There were they in great fear, [where] no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth [against] thee: thou hast put [them] to shame, because God hath despised them.

  • Isaiah 51:12

    I, [even] I, [am] he that comforteth you: who [art] thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man [that] shall die, and of the son of man [which] shall be made [as] grass;

  • Isaiah 51:13

    And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?

  • Isaiah 30:1

    ¶ Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

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