Isaiah 8:5

KJV

The LORD spake also unto me again, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} spake {H1696} also unto me again {H3254}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI went on speaking and said more to me:

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD spoke to me further:

American Standard Version

And Jehovah spake unto me yet again, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 8:5 serves as a pivotal transitional statement within the prophet's ongoing dialogue with God, signaling a renewed and distinct divine communication. This brief verse underscores the continuous nature of God's revelation to His chosen messenger, Isaiah, reaffirming the divine origin and authority of the subsequent prophecies. It sets the stage for further pronouncements concerning Judah's immediate future and the unfolding geopolitical landscape, emphasizing God's active involvement and sovereign control over human affairs even amidst national crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a series of prophetic actions and declarations by Isaiah concerning the impending invasion of Judah. The preceding verses in [Isaiah 8:1-4](/isaiah/8-1-4 "Isaiah 8:1-4 - Prophecy of Maher-shalal-hash-baz") detail the symbolic prophecy of Maher-shalal-hash-baz ("swift to the spoil, speedy to the prey"), a sign against Syria (Aram) and Israel (Ephraim), foretelling their swift destruction by Assyria. Isaiah 8:5 acts as a divine interjection, indicating that the previous message, while significant, is not the final word. It signals a new phase of revelation, shifting the focus from the immediate fate of Judah's northern adversaries to Judah's own choices and the implications of their reliance on foreign powers rather than on the LORD. The phrase "spake also unto me again" explicitly marks a continuation and deepening of the prophetic discourse, preparing the audience for the weighty pronouncements that follow regarding the "waters of Shiloah" and the "waters of the River" (Assyria) in [Isaiah 8:6-8](/isaiah/8-6-8 "Isaiah 8:6-8 - The Waters of Shiloah and the Flood of Assyria").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 8:5 is the tumultuous period of the Syro-Ephraimite War (circa 735-734 BC). During this time, the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Aram (Syria) formed an alliance against Judah, attempting to depose King Ahaz and install a puppet king. Ahaz, despite Isaiah's counsel to trust in the LORD (as seen in [Isaiah 7:1-9](/isaiah/7-1-9 "Isaiah 7:1-9 - Isaiah's Counsel to King Ahaz")), chose to seek an alliance with the mighty Assyrian Empire. In this climate of fear, political maneuvering, and spiritual apostasy, God's direct communication through Isaiah was crucial. Prophets served as God's primary spokespersons, delivering divine guidance, warnings, and promises to the nation. The repetition of God's speaking underscored His persistent engagement with His people, even when they were disobedient, and affirmed Isaiah's legitimate role as a divine messenger, whose words carried ultimate authority in a culture that valued direct revelation from the divine.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 8:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing God's active initiative in communicating His will and plans to humanity. The LORD is not a distant deity but one who continually engages with His creation, particularly through His chosen prophets. Secondly, it reinforces **Prophetic Authority**, validating Isaiah's role as a true and legitimate prophet whose words are not his own, but the very word of the LORD. This was crucial for a people who needed to discern true prophets from false ones. Thirdly, the phrase "again" underscores the **Continuity and Progression of God's Word**. God's communication is not a series of isolated pronouncements but an ongoing, unfolding dialogue that builds upon previous messages, providing deeper understanding as circumstances evolve. This reflects a broader biblical truth that God speaks in various ways and at different times, progressively revealing His plan, as beautifully articulated in [Hebrews 1:1](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1 - God's Revelation Through His Son").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From the root meaning "to be," this is the sacred personal name of God, often rendered as Yahweh, emphasizing His self-existent, eternal nature and His covenant relationship with Israel. Its use here underscores that the message originates from the sovereign, faithful God who is intimately involved in the affairs of His people and the world. It is not merely a generic deity speaking, but the specific, covenant-keeping God of Israel, the "self-Existent or Eternal."
* **spake (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** A primitive root, perhaps properly meaning "to arrange," but used figuratively (of words) "to speak." This verb signifies more than just uttering words; it implies an orderly, purposeful, and authoritative communication, a declaration or pronouncement that carries weight and intent. In this context, it highlights the deliberate and powerful nature of God's communication to Isaiah, a divine command or declaration.
* **again (Hebrew, _yâçaph'_):** A primitive root meaning "to add or augment," used adverbially here to signify continuation or repetition. It conveys the idea of "to continue to do a thing," "to add more," or "henceforth." Its inclusion here is crucial, indicating that this is not a new, unrelated message, but a further, additional revelation that builds upon or follows previous divine words, signifying an ongoing process of communication from God to His prophet.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD spake":** This opening phrase establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the message. It is God Himself, YHWH, the sovereign covenant Lord, who is initiating communication. This immediately lends ultimate weight and truthfulness to the words that follow, indicating that they are not human conjecture but divine truth.
* **"also unto me again":** The inclusion of "also" and "again" emphasizes the continuity and renewed nature of God's revelation specifically to Isaiah. It indicates that the prophet has received previous messages, and this is a fresh, perhaps urgent, installment in the ongoing divine discourse. It highlights God's persistence in communicating with His chosen messenger, even as the political and spiritual climate in Judah deteriorates, showing His unwavering engagement.
* **"saying":** This participle indicates that what follows is the direct content of the divine speech. It functions as a direct introduction to the subsequent prophetic oracle, signaling to the audience that they are about to hear the very words of God through Isaiah, making the following pronouncements direct divine utterances.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 8:5, though brief, employs several subtle but significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Prophetic Formula**, "The LORD spake... saying," which is a common introductory phrase in prophetic literature, immediately establishing the divine authority and origin of the message. This formula functions as a stamp of authenticity, assuring the audience that the words are not human invention but divine revelation. The word "**again**" serves as a form of **Repetition** or **Continuity Marker**, signaling that this is not an isolated incident but part of an ongoing dialogue between God and His prophet. It creates a sense of unfolding narrative and continuous divine engagement. Furthermore, the direct address "unto me" emphasizes the **Personal Nature of Revelation**, highlighting the intimate relationship between God and His prophet, and underscoring Isaiah's role as a direct recipient of divine truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 8:5 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's communication. It portrays God as an actively engaged deity who is not silent but consistently speaks to His people, particularly through His chosen messengers. This continuous divine speech underscores God's sovereignty, His unwavering commitment to His covenant, and His desire to guide and warn humanity. The "again" signifies God's patience and persistence, reiterating His message or adding new dimensions as circumstances unfold, ensuring His people are never without His word, even in times of crisis or spiritual wandering. This verse reinforces the foundational biblical truth that all true prophecy originates from God and is delivered through His Spirit-empowered servants, emphasizing divine initiative and authority in revelation.

* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Secret to His Servants")
* [Jeremiah 1:9](/jeremiah/1-9 "Jeremiah 1:9 - The Lord's Words in Jeremiah's Mouth")
* [2 Peter 1:21](/2_peter/1-21 "2 Peter 1:21 - Prophecy Carried by the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 8:5, though a simple transitional verse, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a speaking God, and His desire to communicate with humanity remains constant. Just as He spoke "again" to Isaiah, He continues to speak to us today, primarily through His inspired written Word, the Bible, and through the Holy Spirit's illumination of that Word. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of attentiveness and receptivity, eager to hear and obey God's voice in our lives. In an age filled with noise and competing voices, recognizing and prioritizing God's ongoing revelation is paramount. It encourages us to trust in the continuity and faithfulness of His word, knowing that His guidance is always timely and sufficient, even when circumstances are uncertain or challenging. Our spiritual growth and discernment are directly tied to our willingness to listen for and respond to what the LORD is "saying" to us, personally and corporately, through His enduring truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I actively listen for God's voice in my daily life?**
* **How does the continuity of God's word, as highlighted by "again," encourage me in times of uncertainty?**
* **What steps can I take to better discern God's specific messages for me through Scripture and prayer?**
* **How does the authority of God's word, as conveyed through Isaiah, impact my obedience and trust?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible emphasize God speaking "again" to His prophets?**

Answer: The emphasis on God speaking "again" (Hebrew: *yâçaph*) to His prophets, as seen in [Isaiah 8:5](/isaiah/8-5 "Isaiah 8:5 - The LORD Spake Again"), highlights several crucial aspects of divine revelation. Firstly, it underscores God's persistent and patient engagement with humanity. He doesn't just speak once and then withdraw; He continues to communicate, often reiterating or expanding upon previous messages to ensure His people understand His will. Secondly, it signifies the unfolding nature of God's plan. Revelation is often progressive, with God adding new layers of understanding or specific instructions as circumstances evolve. This "again" implies a dynamic, ongoing relationship between God and His chosen messengers, ensuring that His people receive timely guidance and warnings in the midst of changing historical and spiritual landscapes. It also reinforces the prophet's legitimacy, demonstrating that their ministry is not a one-time event but a continuous conduit for God's living word.

**What is the significance of the LORD speaking directly to Isaiah?**

Answer: The direct address of "The LORD spake unto me" (as in [Isaiah 8:5](/isaiah/8-5 "Isaiah 8:5 - The LORD Spake Again")) is profoundly significant. It establishes Isaiah's unquestionable prophetic authority and authenticity. In ancient Israel, true prophets were those who received direct, unmediated communication from God, distinguishing them from false prophets who spoke from their own imaginations or other sources. This direct speech underscores that Isaiah's words are not his opinions or political analyses, but the very words of the sovereign God (YHWH). It conveys the gravity and truthfulness of the message, demanding attention and obedience from the audience. For the people of Judah, knowing that God Himself was speaking through Isaiah provided both comfort in His presence and a stern warning against disobedience, especially during the tumultuous period of the Syro-Ephraimite War.

**How does God speak to us today, given that direct prophetic communication like Isaiah's is rare?**

Answer: While direct, audible prophetic communication as experienced by Isaiah in [Isaiah 8:5](/isaiah/8-5 "Isaiah 8:5 - The LORD Spake Again") is not the primary mode of God's communication for most believers today, God continues to speak powerfully and consistently. His primary voice for us is His inspired, inerrant Word, the Bible. Through careful study and meditation on Scripture, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, we hear God's unchanging truth, His commands, His promises, and His character revealed. The Holy Spirit also speaks to us through our consciences, through wise counsel from other believers, through circumstances (providence), and sometimes through a "still, small voice" (as in [1 Kings 19:12](/1_kings/19-12 "1 Kings 19:12 - The Still Small Voice")). The ultimate and complete revelation of God is found in His Son, Jesus Christ, as [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son") declares, "God... has in these last days spoken to us by His Son." Therefore, understanding and obeying the teachings of Christ and the apostles, recorded in the New Testament, is central to hearing God's voice today.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 8:5, with its emphasis on God speaking "again" to His prophet, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While God consistently spoke through prophets in the Old Testament, these were partial and progressive revelations, pointing forward to a greater unveiling. [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son") declares that "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Jesus is the living Word of God, the ultimate and complete revelation of the Father, embodying all that God desired to communicate to humanity. He is not merely a messenger but the message itself, the very embodiment of God's truth, grace, and salvation. The continuous "speaking" of God to Isaiah foreshadows the Incarnation, where the divine Word became flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")) and dwelt among us, making God fully known ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God Except the Son")). Therefore, when God spoke "again" to Isaiah, He was preparing the way for the climactic, final, and all-sufficient Word who would come to redeem His people and establish His eternal kingdom, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Isaiah 7:10

¶ Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,