Isaiah 8:20

KJV

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.

KJV (with Strong's)

To the law {H8451} and to the testimony {H8584}: if they speak {H559} not according to this word {H1697}, it is because there is no light {H7837} in them.

Complete Jewish Bible

for teaching and instruction?" For they will indeed give you this unenlightened suggestion.

Berean Standard Bible

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

American Standard Version

To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 8:20 serves as a foundational declaration of divine authority, calling the people of Judah to anchor their faith and discernment exclusively in God's revealed word. Amidst national crisis and the temptation to consult illicit spiritual sources, this verse unequivocally asserts that the "law and the testimony" are the sole standards for truth and spiritual illumination. Any teaching or guidance that deviates from this divine revelation is inherently devoid of true light, signaling a profound spiritual darkness and a lack of God's presence and understanding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 8:20 concludes a significant section where the prophet Isaiah addresses Judah's spiritual and political crisis. Preceding this verse, Isaiah warns against King Ahaz and the people's inclination to seek guidance from mediums and spiritists, rather than from the Lord (as seen in [Isaiah 8:19](/isaiah/8-19 "Isaiah 8:19 - Warning Against Mediums")). This verse, therefore, acts as a divine corrective and a summary statement, redirecting their focus from unreliable, dark sources to the unwavering light of God's revealed word. It emphasizes that true wisdom and guidance are found only in adherence to the established divine precepts, contrasting sharply with the spiritual confusion and deception offered by false prophets and occult practices. The chapter as a whole underscores the consequences of rejecting God's clear counsel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 8 is the Syro-Ephraimite War (c. 735-734 BC), where the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Aram (Syria) formed an alliance against Judah, attempting to depose King Ahaz and install a puppet ruler. Faced with this existential threat, King Ahaz, despite Isaiah's prophetic assurances of God's protection, chose to seek help from the formidable Assyrian Empire, a decision that would ultimately lead to Judah's subjugation. Culturally, this period was marked by syncretism and a widespread practice of consulting diviners, mediums, and necromancers—forbidden practices under Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominations to the Lord")). Isaiah 8:20 directly confronts this spiritual apostasy, reasserting the exclusive authority of Yahweh's word over all other sources of knowledge or power.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it highlights **The Authority and Sufficiency of God's Word**, presenting the "law and the testimony" as the ultimate and unwavering standard for truth and spiritual guidance, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Psalm 119](/psalms/119 "Psalm 119 - The Excellency of God's Law"). Secondly, it underscores the **Danger of Spiritual Deception and Falsehood**, explicitly warning against those who speak contrary to God's word, linking such deviation to a profound spiritual void. This theme is crucial in a time when false prophets and occult practices were prevalent. Thirdly, it emphasizes the concept of **Spiritual Light vs. Darkness**, where adherence to God's word is the source of true illumination and understanding, while departure from it leads to spiritual blindness and judgment. This dichotomy is central to the prophetic call for repentance and return to the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Law (Hebrew, _tôwrâh'_):** From H8451, this term refers to divine instruction, precept, or statute. While often encompassing the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament), _Torah_ broadly signifies God's entire body of revealed truth and divine instruction given to Israel. In Isaiah 8:20, it represents the authoritative and foundational teachings of God that provide guidance for life and faith.
* **Testimony (Hebrew, _tᵉʻûwdâh'_):** Derived from H8584, meaning attestation, precept, or usage. It emphasizes the witness and authoritative declaration of God's truth, serving as a divine decree that stands as an unchanging standard. Together with "law," "testimony" refers to the complete, divinely inspired written word, emphasizing its role as a reliable witness to God's character and will.
* **Light (Hebrew, _shachar'_):** From H7837, referring to dawn, early, or morning. Here, it is used metaphorically to denote spiritual illumination, understanding, and divine guidance. Its absence signifies spiritual darkness, a lack of divine truth, and spiritual blindness, which results from rejecting God's revealed word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To the law and to the testimony":** This opening phrase functions as an emphatic directive, a clarion call to return to the established and authoritative sources of divine revelation. It points to the _Torah_ (God's instruction) and the _Te'udah_ (God's authoritative witness/decree) as the undisputed standards against which all claims, prophecies, and spiritual guidance must be measured. It is a summons to rely solely on God's revealed word, rejecting all other human or demonic sources.
* **"if they speak not according to this word":** This clause introduces a critical condition and a test of authenticity. The "word" (Hebrew: _dâbâr_, H1697) here refers collectively to the "law and the testimony." It implies that any message, teaching, or prophetic utterance that does not align with or contradicts the established divine revelation is to be rejected. This serves as a vital safeguard against false prophets, deceptive spirits, and human error, demanding fidelity to the objective standard of Scripture.
* **"it is because there is no light in them":** This concluding declaration reveals the spiritual state of those who deviate from God's word. The absence of "light" (Hebrew: _shachar_, H7837) signifies a profound spiritual void, a lack of divine understanding, guidance, and presence. It implies that such individuals or teachings are not merely mistaken, but are fundamentally disconnected from the source of truth and operate in spiritual darkness, leading to confusion, error, and ultimately, judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 8:20 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, setting the "law and the testimony" (representing divine light and truth) against the "no light" found in those who speak contrary to God's word (representing spiritual darkness and deception). This stark opposition highlights the absolute necessity of adhering to God's revelation. **Metaphor** is also central, particularly in the use of "light" to symbolize spiritual understanding, truth, and divine presence. The absence of this metaphorical light signifies spiritual blindness and a state of being cut off from God's wisdom. Furthermore, the phrase "law and testimony" can be seen as a form of **Merism**, where two distinct but related terms are used to represent a comprehensive whole—in this case, the entirety of God's revealed word. This emphasizes the complete sufficiency and authority of Scripture as the sole guide for life and doctrine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 8:20 profoundly underscores the Protestant principle of *Sola Scriptura*, asserting that God's written word is the ultimate and sufficient authority for faith and practice. It establishes a timeless criterion for discerning truth from falsehood, emphasizing that divine revelation, not human intuition, popular opinion, or supernatural phenomena, is the plumb line for all spiritual claims. The verse highlights God's commitment to self-revelation and His expectation that His people will diligently consult and obey His established word. To reject this word is to choose darkness over light, leading to spiritual confusion and ultimately, divine judgment. This principle of testing all things against the revealed word is a consistent theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a bulwark against deception.

* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Testing a Prophet")
* [Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - God's Word as a Lamp")
* [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-Breathed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 8:20 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, serving as a timeless call to spiritual discernment and unwavering commitment to the Bible. In an age saturated with information, diverse spiritual claims, and competing worldviews, this verse compels us to anchor ourselves firmly in the unchanging truth of God's revealed word. It challenges us to critically evaluate all teachings, prophecies, and spiritual experiences against the authoritative standard of Scripture, recognizing that any message not in accord with "the law and the testimony" lacks divine "light" and is therefore untrustworthy. Our spiritual vitality and protection from deception depend on our diligent study, faithful application, and resolute defense of biblical truth. This means cultivating a deep love for God's word, allowing it to illuminate our path, shape our convictions, and guide our every step, ensuring we walk in the light and not in darkness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How consistently do I measure spiritual claims and teachings against the standard of God's written word?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek guidance from sources other than the "law and the testimony"?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my understanding and application of Scripture, so that I may walk more fully in God's light?**

### FAQ
**What does "the law and the testimony" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: "The law" (Hebrew: *Torah*) broadly refers to God's divine instruction, often specifically the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament) but also encompassing all of God's revealed will. "The testimony" (Hebrew: *Te'udah*) refers to God's authoritative witness or decree. Together, these terms represent the complete, divinely inspired written word of God, serving as the unchanging and authoritative standard for truth and spiritual guidance for His people. It is the full body of revelation given by God through His prophets and recorded in Scripture.

**Why is it significant that "there is no light in them" if they don't speak according to God's word?**

Answer: The declaration that "there is no light in them" is profoundly significant because "light" in biblical terms often symbolizes truth, understanding, divine presence, and salvation. Its absence signifies spiritual darkness, ignorance, deception, and a lack of divine wisdom or guidance. When individuals or teachings do not align with God's "law and testimony," it indicates that they are cut off from the true source of spiritual illumination. Such deviation leads to confusion, error, and ultimately, a state of spiritual blindness, as opposed to the clarity and life found in God's truth (e.g., [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 8:20, with its emphatic call to the "law and the testimony" as the source of light, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament pointed to God's written word as the light for His people, the New Testament reveals Jesus as the living Word and the very embodiment of divine truth and light. [John 1:1-5](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-5 - The Word Became Flesh") declares Him as the eternal Word who was with God and was God, through whom all things were made, and in whom was life, and that life was the light of men. He Himself proclaimed, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). Therefore, to speak "according to this word" in the fullest sense is to speak in alignment with Christ Himself, who perfectly fulfilled the Law and bore witness to God's ultimate truth. Any teaching or spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, or deviates from the truth revealed in Him and through the apostles (as recorded in the New Testament), truly has "no light in them," for Christ is the singular source of all spiritual illumination and the full revelation of God's "law and testimony" for humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken by His Son")).

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

2 Peter 1:19

¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

2 Timothy 3:15

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:17

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Isaiah 30:8

¶ Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

Isaiah 30:11

Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

Romans 1:22

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

John 5:46

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.