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Isaiah 8:15

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Isaiah 8:15 describes the severe consequences for those who reject God's guidance and trust in their own devices or false alliances. This verse is part of a prophetic warning from Isaiah to the people of Judah, particularly King Ahaz, during a time of great political and spiritual turmoil.

Context

The immediate preceding verse, Isaiah 8:14, identifies the Lord of hosts as both a "sanctuary" for those who trust Him and a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offence" to the two houses of Israel (Judah and the northern kingdom). In the historical context, Judah was facing threats from the Syro-Ephraimite coalition (Syria and Ephraim/Israel) and was tempted to seek help from the powerful Assyrian Empire, rather than relying on God. Isaiah's message was a call to faith and repentance. Those who refused to trust God would find Him not as a refuge, but as the very cause of their downfall, leading to the calamities described in verse 15.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Unbelief: The verse vividly portrays the progressive ruin that awaits those who choose to disregard God's word and warnings. The sequence of "stumble, fall, be broken, be snared, and be taken" illustrates a path from initial misstep to complete capture and destruction.
  • God as a Stumbling Block: 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 highlights divine sovereignty and the inevitable consequences of rebellion.
  • Divine Judgment: It serves as a stern warning of the inevitable judgment that follows persistent disobedience and rejection of God's truth, emphasizing that turning away from the Lord leads to self-inflicted disaster.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs used in this verse convey a powerful and escalating sense of doom:

  • "Stumble" (נָגַף - nagaph): Implies an initial hit or blow that causes one to lose balance.
  • "Fall" (כָּשַׁל - kashal): Signifies a complete collapse after stumbling.
  • "Broken" (שָׁבַר - shabar): Suggests a shattering or fracturing, indicating severe damage or utter ruin.
  • "Snared" (יָקַשׁ - yaqash): Points to being trapped, like an animal caught in a hunter's snare, signifying a loss of freedom and control.
  • "Taken" (לָכַד - lakad): Means to be captured or seized, often implying captivity or being completely overcome by an enemy or circumstances.

The cumulative effect of these terms underscores the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the judgment for those who choose to disregard God's path.

Practical Application

This verse carries profound relevance for believers today. It reminds us of the critical importance of placing our trust solely in God, even amidst worldly pressures and temptations to rely on human wisdom or power. Just as God was a "stone of stumbling" for ancient Israel due to their unbelief, so too can His truth and commands become a source of difficulty for those who resist them. The New Testament echoes this theme, identifying Jesus Christ as the ultimate cornerstone to believers and a stumbling block to unbelievers (1 Peter 2:8). For those who reject Him, His teachings and His very person become the reason for their spiritual downfall. The passage serves as a powerful call to humility, faith, and obedience, encouraging us to build our lives on the solid foundation of God's Word, so we do not stumble and fall.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Matthew 21:44 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Romans 9:32 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Matthew 15:14 (2 votes)

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