Isaiah 8:17-18
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This verse isn't just about waiting for God; it's about actively hoping in Him even when He seems to have withdrawn His presence. The phrase "hiding his face" emphasizes that God's favor might not be obvious, yet Isaiah chooses to "hope" and "wait" for Him, trusting that God's presence and promises remain even in seasons of apparent absence.
I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Isaiah has just been instructed by God to name his son "Mahershalal-hash-baz" and to write a prophecy on a large scroll about impending judgment from the Assyrian king. This verse marks Isaiah's personal response to the dire situation: despite God seemingly withdrawing His favor from Israel, Isaiah resolves to wait and hope in the LORD. He is setting himself apart from the people who will seek other alliances and fears, choosing instead to trust in God's eventual deliverance.
Why would God deliberately turn away from His people? Isaiah's declaration of waiting reveals a profound truth about God's discipline and His people's response.
The verse speaks of God 'hiding his face from the house of Jacob.' This isn't an abandonment, but a disciplinary action.
Divine Discipline:
When God hides His face, it signifies the withdrawal of His favor, protection, and visible presence. This is a serious consequence of sin and rebellion, meant to draw His people back to Him. The commentaries highlight this as a figurative expression for withdrawing blessings and leaving people to deserved punishment.
The Believer's Response:
Despite this withdrawal, Isaiah doesn't despair. He declares, 'I will wait for the LORD... and I will hope in him.' This waiting isn't passive resignation but an active trust. It's a patient expectation, believing that God's absence is temporary and His promises will ultimately be fulfilled, even when circumstances seem dark and hopeless.
In times of national crisis and divine displeasure, where does true hope lie? Isaiah anchors his hope not in circumstances, but in the unchanging character of God.
Isaiah's commitment to 'wait' and 'hope' in the Lord, even when God's face is hidden, speaks volumes about the nature of true hope.
Hope Beyond Circumstance:
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The prophet isn't hoping because God is present and smiling, but despite God seeming to withdraw. This demonstrates that biblical hope is not wishful thinking or optimism about future events. It is a confident expectation rooted in God's character, His promises, and His ultimate purposes, even when His immediate actions are difficult to understand.
A Personal Declaration:
Isaiah's statement, 'I will wait... and I will hope,' is a personal resolve. It’s a choice to fix his gaze on God rather than on the terrifying circumstances or the faithlessness of his people. This unwavering trust is a powerful example for us when facing trials, uncertainties, or periods of spiritual dryness.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant God of Israel, the I AM, who reveals His character, presence, and redemptive purposes throughout salvation history.
satar / panim · Hebrew Verb / Noun
A metaphorical expression describing God’s withholding of favor, blessing, or immediate presence, often as a consequence of His people's rebellion or sin.
qavah · Hebrew Verb
A confident, patient expectation based on the character and promises of God, grounded in the certainty of His faithfulness.
ot / mopheth · Hebrew Noun
Events, objects, or persons divinely appointed to point beyond themselves, serving as physical or symbolic reminders of God’s truth, warning, or coming judgment.
YHWH Sabaoth · Hebrew Noun
A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty over the entire universe, including the celestial armies and all created powers.
Tsiyyon · Hebrew Noun
The earthly location chosen by God for His name to dwell, symbolizing His royal presence, reign, and the place from which He governs and blesses His people.
This verse comes from a time when Judah, though spared immediate destruction by Assyria, was in a precarious position as a vassal state. The prophet Isaiah, facing national distress and spiritual confusion, declares his personal commitment to waiting for God's deliverance, even when God's presence feels hidden.
c. 734 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War Begins
The northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Syria (Aram-Damascus) form an alliance to invade Judah, which had refused to join them against the rising Assyrian empire. King Ahaz of Judah is besieged in Jerusalem.
c. 733 BC
Isaiah's Son is Born
Isaiah's son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz ('Swift is the Plunder, Speedy is the Prey'), is born, serving as a living sign of impending judgment.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Intervention
King Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria intervenes in the region. He conquers Damascus, deports Syrians, and subjugates northern Israel, ending the Syro-Ephraimite threat to Judah.
c. 732 BC— this verse
Judah Pays Tribute to Assyria
King Ahaz of Judah submits to Assyria, paying heavy tribute. Judah becomes an Assyrian vassal, largely protected from further immediate invasion but under foreign domination.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) is conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and its people are exiled. This fulfills earlier prophecies and deepens the crisis for the remaining kingdom of Judah.
This passage echoes the sentiment of God hiding His face, describing a situation where the psalmist cries out, 'Why do you hide your face? We forget our affliction and oppression.' It directly relates to the prophet's experience of God's apparent withdrawal.
Isaiah 50:10This verse speaks directly to the idea of waiting and hoping in God even when darkness surrounds, saying, 'Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? ... walks in darkness and has no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.' It offers a parallel encouragement to Isaiah's own declaration.
Habakkuk 2:3This verse offers profound encouragement for patient waiting on God's promises, even when they seem to tarry. It says, 'For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.' This resonates with Isaiah's act of waiting and hoping.
Luke 2:25Here, Simeon is described as 'waiting for the consolation of Israel,' which directly parallels Isaiah's stance of waiting and hoping for God's future action, even when God's face is hidden from His people. It shows this theme extending to the Messianic hope.
Romans 8:24-25This New Testament passage speaks about being saved by hope, and how 'hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.' This connects to Isaiah's call to wait and hope in God despite the present circumstances.
pulpitIsaiah 8:17: "And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him."
Verses 17, 18. - ISAIAH DEFINES HIS OWN ATTITUDE AND THAT OF HIS CHILDREN. It is questioned whether something has not fallen out between vers. 16 and 17. The transition is exceedingly abrupt, undoubtedly; but perhaps not more abrupt than elsewhere in Isaiah and the prophets contemporary with him. The Divine "instruction" comes to an end in ver. 16; and Isaiah might have been expe…
barnesIsaiah 8:17: "And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him."
And I will wait upon the Lord - This is the commencement of a new subject. The prophet had closed his former message; but had seen that in regard to the great mass of the nation, his exhortation had been in vain. He now says, that having delivered his message, he would patiently look to God alone. His hope was in him, though the nation looked elsewhere; and though calamities were…
This verse isn't just about waiting for God; it's about actively hoping in Him even when He seems to have withdrawn His presence. The phrase "hiding his face" emphasizes that God's favor might not be obvious, yet Isaiah chooses to "hope" and "wait" for Him, trusting that God's presence and promises remain even in seasons of apparent absence.
The prophet Isaiah has just been instructed by God to name his son "Mahershalal-hash-baz" and to write a prophecy on a large scroll about impending judgment from the Assyrian king. This verse marks Isaiah's personal response to the dire situation: despite God seemingly withdrawing His favor from Israel, Isaiah resolves to wait and hope in the LORD. He is setting himself apart from the people who will seek other alliances and fears, choosing instead to trust in God's eventual deliverance.
The prophet Isaiah has just been instructed by God to name his son "Mahershalal-hash-baz" and to write a prophecy on a large scroll about impending judgment from the Assyrian king. This verse marks Isaiah's personal response to the dire situation: despite God seemingly withdrawing His favor from Israel, Isaiah resolves to wait and hope in the LORD. He is setting himself apart from the people who will seek other alliances and fears, choosing instead to trust in God's eventual deliverance.
"I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion." — This verse isn't just about waiting for God; it's about actively hoping in Him even when He seems to have withdrawn His presence. The phrase "hiding his face" emphasizes that God's favor might no…
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Last reviewed October 2026
