Isaiah 8:15

KJV

And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

KJV (with Strong's)

And many {H7227} among them shall stumble {H3782}, and fall {H5307}, and be broken {H7665}, and be snared {H3369}, and be taken {H3920}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Many of them will stumble and fall, be broken and trapped and captured.

Berean Standard Bible

Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be ensnared and captured.”

American Standard Version

And many shall stumble thereon, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 8:15 vividly portrays the dire consequences awaiting those in Judah who, in a time of national crisis, chose to reject God's guidance and rely instead on human alliances and wisdom. It describes a progressive path of spiritual and physical ruin, where widespread unbelief leads to stumbling, falling, being shattered, trapped, and ultimately captured, underscoring the severe judgment that follows disobedience to the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a powerful prophetic warning delivered by Isaiah during the Syro-Ephraimite War (c. 734-732 BC). Immediately preceding it, [Isaiah 8:14](/isaiah/8-14 "Isaiah 8:14 - God as Sanctuary and Stumbling Stone") declares the Lord of hosts to be both a "sanctuary" for those who fear Him and a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to the two houses of Israel. This sets up the dichotomy: God is a refuge for the faithful but an unavoidable obstacle and cause of ruin for the disobedient. Verse 15 then elaborates on the specific, escalating consequences of encountering God as a "stumbling stone"—a progression from initial misstep to utter destruction. The broader context of [Isaiah 7](/isaiah/7 "Isaiah 7 - Ahaz's Unbelief and Immanuel Prophecy") and [Isaiah 8](/isaiah/8 "Isaiah 8 - Prophecies of Assyrian Invasion and Immanuel") reveals Isaiah's repeated calls for King Ahaz and Judah to trust in God alone, rather than seeking alliances with Assyria against the Syro-Ephraimite coalition. The prophet's own family and signs (e.g., Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz in [Isaiah 8:1-4](/isaiah/8-1-4 "Isaiah 8:1-4 - Prophecy of Assyrian Invasion")) serve as living prophecies of the impending judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Judah, under King Ahaz, faced an existential threat from the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Syria, who formed a coalition to depose Ahaz and install a puppet king. Instead of heeding Isaiah's counsel to trust in the Lord, Ahaz chose to appeal to Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria for help, a decision that would ultimately lead to Judah's vassalage and deeper spiritual compromise. The cultural context involved a widespread syncretism and reliance on human political maneuvering rather than divine covenant faithfulness. The concept of "stumbling" and "falling" would have resonated deeply in a society where physical terrain was often treacherous and where military defeat meant total subjugation and captivity. The imagery of being "snared" and "taken" evokes the common practice of hunting and warfare, where enemies or prey were trapped and captured, often leading to slavery or death. This verse, therefore, speaks directly to the political and spiritual choices of the time, warning that God's judgment, rather than the Syro-Ephraimite alliance, would be the true source of their downfall if they persisted in unbelief.

* **Key Themes:** A central theme is the **consequences of unbelief and disobedience**. The verse vividly illustrates the progressive ruin that awaits those who reject God's word and warnings, moving from an initial misstep ("stumble") to complete capture and destruction ("taken"). This highlights the principle that turning away from God inevitably leads to self-inflicted disaster. Another significant theme is **God as a divine stumbling block and judge**. For those who refuse to submit to His will and seek His protection, God Himself, in His righteousness and judgment, becomes the unavoidable obstacle that leads to their ruin. This underscores divine sovereignty and the inescapable consequences of rebellion against His revealed truth, as seen in [Isaiah 8:13](/isaiah/8-13 "Isaiah 8:13 - Fear the Lord of Hosts"). Furthermore, the verse implicitly touches upon the theme of **divine warning and human accountability**. Isaiah's prophecy serves as a stern warning, emphasizing that persistent disobedience and rejection of God's truth will result in inevitable judgment, a judgment that is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of human choices.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **stumble (Hebrew, _kâshal'_):** This primitive root signifies to totter, waver, falter, or fall, often due to weakness in the legs or ankles. In Isaiah 8:15, it denotes the initial misstep or moral lapse that sets one on a path toward ruin. It's not a full collapse yet, but the loss of balance, indicating a failure to maintain uprightness or a correct course. Spiritually, it implies a failure of faith or obedience that leads to a loss of spiritual footing.
* **broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** This word means to burst, shatter, or break in pieces, either literally or figuratively. It conveys a sense of severe damage, utter ruin, or complete fracturing. In the context of the verse, it suggests a profound and irreparable destruction of one's well-being, security, or integrity, indicating that the consequences of stumbling are not superficial but deeply damaging.
* **taken (Hebrew, _lâkad'_):** A primitive root meaning to catch, capture, or occupy, often in a net, trap, or pit. It implies being seized or overcome, leading to a loss of freedom, control, or agency. This word signifies the final, inescapable outcome of the progression, where individuals are completely ensnared and brought under the power of their destructive choices or divine judgment, much like prey caught by a hunter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And many among them shall stumble":** This phrase introduces the widespread nature of the impending judgment. "Many" indicates that a significant portion of the people, particularly those who reject God's word, will begin their descent into ruin by losing their spiritual footing or making critical errors in judgment. This stumbling is a direct result of encountering God as a "stone of stumbling" (Isaiah 8:14) due to their unbelief.
* **"and fall":** Following the initial stumble, this signifies a complete collapse or downfall. It moves beyond a mere misstep to a full-fledged failure, indicating that those who stumble will not recover their balance but will experience a significant, undeniable collapse in their spiritual, moral, or national standing.
* **"and be broken":** This clause describes the severe and destructive consequences of falling. It implies being shattered, fractured, or utterly ruined. This is not just a fall but a breaking into pieces, suggesting irreparable damage to their lives, their society, or their relationship with God, leading to a state of complete devastation.
* **"and be snared":** This imagery shifts to that of a trap, like an animal caught in a fowler's snare. It conveys a loss of freedom and control, indicating that those who have stumbled, fallen, and been broken will find themselves caught in circumstances from which they cannot escape. They are entrapped by the consequences of their own choices and divine judgment.
* **"and be taken":** This final clause signifies the ultimate capture or seizure. It represents the culmination of the progressive ruin, where individuals are completely overcome, often implying captivity, subjugation, or being fully delivered into the hands of their enemies or the consequences of their sin. It is the inescapable, final state of being utterly overcome.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 8:15 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of impending doom. The most prominent is **Climax** or **Progression**, as the verse presents a sequence of escalating misfortunes: stumbling, falling, being broken, snared, and taken. This creates a sense of inevitable and worsening judgment, moving from an initial misstep to complete and inescapable capture. The use of multiple verbs in rapid succession also creates a powerful sense of **Anaphora** and **Polysyndeton** (though "and" is repeated, the emphasis is on the cumulative effect of the actions rather than just the conjunction). Each verb acts as a **Metaphor** for spiritual and national ruin, drawing on common experiences of physical collapse and entrapment. The entire verse functions as a **Prophetic Warning**, designed to evoke fear and motivate repentance by painting a vivid picture of the consequences of rejecting God's counsel. The **Parallelism** of the five distinct yet related verbs emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 8:15 powerfully articulates the theological principle that rejection of divine truth and reliance on human wisdom inevitably leads to ruin. God, who is a sanctuary for those who trust Him, becomes a "stone of stumbling" for the disobedient, not because He desires their downfall, but because His righteousness and holiness are unyielding. The sequence of "stumble, fall, be broken, be snared, and be taken" illustrates a progressive spiritual degradation and ultimate judgment, where the consequences are a direct result of persistent unbelief. This passage serves as a stark reminder that true security and flourishing are found only in humble submission to God's will and unwavering faith in His provision, rather than in worldly alliances or self-reliance.

* [Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")
* [Romans 9:32-33](/romans/9-32-33 "Romans 9:32-33 - Christ as a Stumbling Block")
* [1 Peter 2:7-8](/1_peter/2-7-8 "1 Peter 2:7-8 - Christ as Cornerstone and Stumbling Stone")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 8:15 serves as a timeless warning for all who face critical choices between trusting God and relying on human solutions. In our own lives, we are constantly presented with opportunities to trust in our own strength, worldly systems, or popular opinions rather than God's unchanging Word. This verse challenges us to examine where our ultimate trust lies. Do we view God's commands and His call to faith as a "sanctuary" or as a "stumbling block"? When we stumble, do we seek to recover our balance by turning back to Him, or do we continue down a path that leads to greater brokenness and entrapment? The progression described—stumble, fall, broken, snared, taken—is a sobering reminder that small deviations from God's path can lead to increasingly severe consequences. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humility, seeking God's wisdom in all decisions, and to actively resist the temptation to compromise our faith for perceived worldly security or advantage. Our spiritual integrity and ultimate well-being depend on building our lives on the solid foundation of Christ, rather than risking a fall on the treacherous ground of unbelief.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on my own understanding or worldly solutions rather than fully trusting God?**
* **How might my current choices be leading me down a path of "stumbling, falling, or being snared" spiritually?**
* **What specific steps can I take to deepen my trust in God and ensure I see Him as a sanctuary, not a stumbling block?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for God to be a "stumbling stone" for some people?**

Answer: For God to be a "stumbling stone" (as mentioned in the preceding verse, [Isaiah 8:14](/isaiah/8-14 "Isaiah 8:14 - God as Sanctuary and Stumbling Stone"), and implied in verse 15) means that His truth, His holiness, and His righteous demands become an obstacle and a cause of ruin for those who refuse to believe and obey Him. It's not that God actively seeks to trip people up, but rather that His unchangeable nature and His revealed will expose and condemn human rebellion and unbelief. For those who resist Him, His very presence and principles become the unavoidable reality that leads to their downfall, much like a person trips over a rock they refuse to acknowledge or avoid. This concept is further developed in the New Testament, particularly in relation to Jesus Christ, who is a cornerstone for believers but a rock of offense for those who reject Him (e.g., [Romans 9:33](/romans/9-33 "Romans 9:33 - Christ as a Stumbling Block")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 8:15 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very "stone of stumbling and rock of offense" prophesied in [Isaiah 8:14](/isaiah/8-14 "Isaiah 8:14 - God as Sanctuary and Stumbling Stone") is identified in the New Testament as Christ Himself. For those who reject Him, His teachings, His claims to divinity, and His call to repentance become the very reason for their spiritual "stumbling, falling, being broken, snared, and taken." As [Romans 9:32-33](/romans/9-32-33 "Romans 9:32-33 - Christ as a Stumbling Block") and [1 Peter 2:7-8](/1_peter/2-7-8 "1 Peter 2:7-8 - Christ as Cornerstone and Stumbling Stone") explain, Jesus is the "cornerstone" for those who believe, but a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to those who disobey. The progressive ruin described in Isaiah 8:15—the ultimate state of being "snared" and "taken"—is the spiritual fate of those who refuse to embrace the salvation offered through Christ. However, for those who trust in Him, He is the one who frees them from the snare of sin and death ([Psalm 124:7](/psalm/124-7 "Psalm 124:7 - Our Soul Has Escaped Like a Bird from the Snare")) and raises them up from their fallen state, fulfilling the promise of a sanctuary and sure foundation that Isaiah also spoke of. His atoning sacrifice on the cross breaks the power of sin that would otherwise "snare" and "take" humanity, offering instead eternal life and freedom from judgment.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 21:44

And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Isaiah 28:13

But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Luke 20:17

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Luke 20:18

Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Romans 9:32

Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Matthew 11:6

And blessed is [he], whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Matthew 15:14

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.