Isaiah 8:22

And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and [they shall be] driven to darkness.

And they shall look {H5027} unto the earth {H776}; and behold trouble {H6869} and darkness {H2825}, dimness {H4588} of anguish {H6695}; and they shall be driven {H5080} to darkness {H653}.

or [down] at the earth, they will see only trouble and darkness, anguished gloom and pervasive darkness.

Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.

and they shall look unto the earth, and, behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and into thick darkness they shall be driven away.

Commentary

Isaiah 8:22 KJV presents a stark and somber prophecy, depicting the dire consequences for those who turn away from God's truth and light. It describes a future filled with despair and spiritual blindness for those who reject divine guidance, looking instead to earthly or forbidden sources for answers.

Context

This verse concludes a section of Isaiah's prophecy (chapters 7-8) where the prophet warns Judah against forming alliances with foreign powers and, more significantly, against seeking counsel from pagan practices rather than from the Lord. King Ahaz and the people of Judah were facing threats from Aram and Israel, and instead of trusting God, they were tempted to rely on Assyria or to consult with mediums and spiritists. Isaiah 8:22 vividly portrays the ultimate outcome of such choices: a descent into deep trouble and spiritual obscurity.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Rejecting God's Light: The verse powerfully illustrates the inevitable result of turning away from divine wisdom and revelation. When people refuse to walk in God's light, they are left to grope in the darkness of their own making.
  • Profound Despair and Anguish: "Trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish" paints a picture of overwhelming despair, a state where hope is extinguished and suffering is pervasive. It's not just physical hardship but a deep spiritual and emotional torment.
  • Spiritual Blindness: The repeated mention of "darkness" signifies both a lack of understanding and a moral and spiritual blindness that prevents people from discerning truth or finding a way out of their predicament. They are "driven to darkness," suggesting an inescapable fate for those who persist in rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "dimness of anguish" uses potent Hebrew words. "Dimness" comes from the Hebrew word me'uph (ืžึฐืขื•ึผืฃ), which denotes a thick, oppressive gloom or obscurity, suggesting an overwhelming clouding of vision or understanding. "Anguish" is m'tsuqah (ืžึฐืฆื•ึผืงึธื”), meaning distress, tribulation, or narrowness, conveying a feeling of being hemmed in with no escape. Together, they emphasize a state of profound, suffocating despair.

Related Scriptures

The profound gloom described in Isaiah 8:22 serves as a powerful contrast to the glorious hope found just one verse later, which speaks of a great light shining in Galilee, foretelling the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This transition highlights that even in the deepest spiritual darkness, God provides a way to light and salvation. For a broader understanding of God's word as light, consider Psalm 119:105.

Practical Application

Isaiah 8:22 remains a timeless warning. It reminds us of the critical importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance above all else. When we turn away from His truth, whether by ignoring His word, pursuing worldly solutions, or engaging in practices contrary to His will, we risk plunging ourselves into spiritual and emotional darkness. This verse calls us to continually seek the Lord, for He alone provides the light and hope that dispels all anguish and despair. It underscores the biblical principle that rejecting God's counsel leads to inevitable hardship, while embracing Him leads to life and light.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 5:30

    And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if [one] look unto the land, behold darkness [and] sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.

  • Matthew 22:13

    Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • Matthew 8:12

    But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • Jeremiah 13:16

    Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, [and] make [it] gross darkness.

  • Zephaniah 1:14

    ยถ The great day of the LORD [is] near, [it is] near, and hasteth greatly, [even] the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

  • Zephaniah 1:15

    That day [is] a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

  • Jeremiah 30:6

    Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
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