“Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "waters of Shiloah that flow gently" is a powerful metaphor for the quiet, steady, and divinely ordained support of God and His covenant with David's line. By rejoicing in Rezin and his son, the people are actively choosing the temporary, turbulent strength of human alliances over the enduring, peaceful provision of God, essentially choosing a destructive flood over a life-giving stream.
“Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a larger prophecy where Isaiah is instructed by God to declare impending judgment. The immediate context involves a looming invasion by the combined forces of Syria and Israel against Judah. Isaiah is given a sign name, "Maher-shalal-hash-baz" (meaning "swift is the plunder, the prey hastens"), to signify this coming destruction, which will fall on both the northern kingdom of Israel and Damascus, the capital of Syria. This verse explains why such judgment is coming, framing the people's rejection of God's gentle provision as the root cause for the violent onslaught they will face.
Why would anyone turn away from a gentle, life-giving stream? This verse paints a picture of a nation deliberately choosing a dangerous path, rejecting a source of true security.
The 'waters of Shiloah' are a beautiful metaphor for God's presence and His covenant with His people. These waters flowed gently and reliably, symbolizing the steady, peaceful, and life-sustaining presence of God within Jerusalem and His unwavering care for them.
The people in Isaiah's day found 'joy' not in God's steady provision, but in powerful, human alliances. What does this misplaced joy reveal about their spiritual state?
The verse declares that this people 'rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah.' Rezin was the king of Syria, and the 'son of Remaliah' was Pekah, the king of Israel. These were nations threatening Judah.
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The gentle waters of Shiloah represent the stable, divinely-ordained rule of Davidic kings in Judah, a source of quiet strength. Rezin of Damascus and Pekah of Israel represent foreign powers and alliances that offered the illusion of strength but ultimately led to destruction, a temptation Judah also faced.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Syro-Ephraimitic War begins
Rezin of Aram-Damascus and Pekah of Israel form an alliance to invade Judah, likely seeking to force Judah into their anti-Assyrian coalition. King Ahaz of Judah seeks help from Assyria.
c. 734 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Israel
Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria invades the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) in response to Judah's appeal and their own anti-Assyrian stance. Many Israelites are deported.
c. 732 BC
Fall of Damascus
Tiglath-pileser III conquers and destroys the Aramean capital of Damascus, ending the threat from Rezin and the Syro-Ephraimitic coalition.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian empire, under Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II, conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling its population and ending its existence as an independent nation.
This Psalm speaks of the 'river' that makes glad the city of God, referencing the gentle waters of God's presence and dwelling, contrasting with the 'raging' nations, much like Isaiah contrasts the gentle waters of Shiloah with the 'strong and many' waters of the river.
Ezekiel 47:1-12Ezekiel describes a vision of water flowing from the temple that brings life and healing, a powerful symbol of God's life-giving presence and provision, similar to how the waters of Shiloah represent God's gentle sustenance for Judah.
John 9:7This passage refers to the Pool of Siloam where Jesus healed the blind man. It highlights the significance of this water source, connecting it to divine action and healing, which echoes Isaiah's use of Shiloah as a symbol of God's provision.
Matthew 12:30Jesus states, 'Whoever is not with me is against me.' This directly parallels Isaiah's message that refusing the 'waters of Shiloah' (God's gentle provision and presence) means aligning with destructive forces, represented by Rezin and his son.
Romans 8:6-7Paul contrasts the 'mind set on the flesh' with the 'mind set on the Spirit.' This mirrors Isaiah's contrast between embracing God's gentle provision (Spirit) and seeking the strength of worldly powers (flesh), showing the dire consequences of the latter.
barnesIsaiah 8:6: "Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;"
Forasmuch as this people - There has been a considerable difference of opinion among interpreters respecting the 'people' to whom the prophet here refers. Some have supposed that it refers to the kingdom of Judah alone; others to a party in that kingdom; and others to the kingdom of Judah in connection with the ten tribes, or the kingdom of Israel also. The latter is pr…
henryIsaiah 8:1-8: "Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz."
8:1-8 The prophet is to write on a large roll, or on a metal tablet, words which meant, Make speed to spoil, hasten to the prey: pointing out that the Assyrian army should come with speed, and make great spoil. Very soon the riches of Damascus and of Samaria, cities then secure and formidable, shall be taken away by the king of Assyria. The prophet pleads with…
The phrase "waters of Shiloah that flow gently" is a powerful metaphor for the quiet, steady, and divinely ordained support of God and His covenant with David's line. By rejoicing in Rezin and his son, the people are actively choosing the temporary, turbulent strength of human alliances over the enduring, peaceful provision of God, essentially choosing a destructive flood over a life-giving stream.
This verse is part of a larger prophecy where Isaiah is instructed by God to declare impending judgment. The immediate context involves a looming invasion by the combined forces of Syria and Israel against Judah. Isaiah is given a sign name, "Maher-shalal-hash-baz" (meaning "swift is the plunder, the prey hastens"), to signify this coming destruction, which will fall on both the northern kingdom of Israel and Damascus, the capital of Syria. This verse explains why such judgment is coming, framing the people's rejection of God's gentle provision as the root cause for the violent onslaught they will face.
This verse is part of a larger prophecy where Isaiah is instructed by God to declare impending judgment. The immediate context involves a looming invasion by the combined forces of Syria and Israel against Judah. Isaiah is given a sign name, "Maher-shalal-hash-baz" (meaning "swift is the plunder, the prey hastens"), to signify this coming destruction, which will fall on both the northern kingdom of Israel and Damascus, the capital of Syria. This verse explains why such judgment is coming, framing the people's rejection of God's gentle provision as the root cause for the violent onslaught they will face.
"“Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah," — The phrase "waters of Shiloah that flow gently" is a powerful metaphor for the quiet, steady, and divinely ordained support of God and His covenant with David's line. By rejoicing in Rezin and his so…
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Last reviewed October 2026