Isaiah 8:6-7
“Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse contrasts the gentle, flowing waters of Shiloah with the turbulent waters of a great river, symbolizing a choice between trusting God's subtle, steady provision and the overwhelming power of foreign alliances. This highlights that the people's rejection wasn't just political, but a spiritual turning away from God's quiet strength for the perceived security of worldly might.
The prophet Isaiah is delivering a message from God to the people of Judah and Israel. God is warning them about an impending invasion by the Assyrian empire, led by the kings of Syria (Rezin) and Israel (Pekah, son of Remaliah). This verse highlights the people's foolish rejection of God's gentle provision and protection, symbolized by the waters of Shiloah, in favor of trusting in powerful, but ultimately destructive, foreign alliances.
What does a gentle stream have to do with trust and security? Isaiah uses a quiet, flowing water source to represent something far greater than mere physical sustenance.
God's Gentle Provision
The "waters of Shiloah" refer to a small stream or brook near Jerusalem. This wasn't a mighty river, but a consistent, gentle source of water that sustained the city.
More Than Water
In the context of Isaiah's prophecy, these waters symbolize:
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Why would a people turn away from a divine, gentle provision to embrace powerful, foreign alliances? The allure of strength and perceived security can be deceptive.
Trading Trust for Tyranny
The people Isaiah addresses have turned away from the "waters of Shiloah" – God's presence and gentle provision – to "rejoice in Rezin and the son of Remaliah." Rezin was the king of Aram (Syria), and the "son of Remaliah" was Pekah, the king of Israel.
A Dangerous Embrace
This choice represents a profound rejection of God's leadership and a dangerous embrace of:
Understand the original words
Adonai · Hebrew Noun
A title for God denoting His absolute sovereignty, authority, and ownership over all creation and His people. It signifies the One to whom obedience and worship are due.
nahar · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the Euphrates River, a massive, powerful waterway representing the overwhelming military might of the Assyrian Empire in the context of divine judgment.
The gentle waters of Shiloah represent God's quiet, steady provision and the Davidic dynasty, contrasted with the violent, powerful empires like Assyria. Judah's people are choosing to trust in alliances with these aggressive foreign powers rather than in God's enduring, though less spectacular, care.
c. 734 BC— this verse
Syro-Ephraimite War begins
Rezin of Aram-Damascus and Pekah of Israel form an alliance to invade Judah and install a king loyal to them, but King Ahaz of Judah refuses their demands and appeals to Assyria for help.
c. 732 BC
Fall of Damascus
The Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III conquers Damascus, killing Rezin and annexing much of Aram.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Israel
Tiglath-Pileser III invades the northern kingdom of Israel (the 'ten tribes'), capturing many cities and deporting a significant portion of its population.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian king Shalmaneser V besieges and eventually conquers Samaria, the capital of Israel, leading to the end of the northern kingdom and the deportation of its remaining population.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem, though he ultimately withdraws.
This passage directly precedes Isaiah 8:6 and sets the stage by describing the alliance between Rezin of Syria and Pekah (son of Remaliah) of Israel against Judah, highlighting the very 'joy' over these kings that Isaiah 8:6 critiques.
Psalm 46:4This psalm speaks of a 'river whose streams make glad the city of God,' which is a poetic parallel to the 'waters of Shiloah' symbolizing God's gentle, life-giving presence and protection for His people, contrasting with the violent 'river' of Assyria.
Ezekiel 47:1-12This vision describes a river flowing from the temple, bringing life and healing, much like the Shiloah symbolizes God's life-giving presence, and it starkly contrasts with the destructive forces that threaten God's people.
John 9:7This verse mentions the Pool of Siloam where Jesus healed the blind man, connecting the physical water source to a place of divine healing and divine purpose, echoing how the Shiloah in Isaiah represents God's intended, gentle provision.
Romans 8:6-7Paul contrasts the 'mind set on the flesh' with the 'mind set on the Spirit,' paralleling Isaiah's contrast between trusting in powerful, violent foreign alliances (flesh) and trusting in the gentle, life-giving power of God's presence (Spirit).
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 verse contrasts the gentle, flowing waters of Shiloah with the turbulent waters of a great river, symbolizing a choice between trusting God's subtle, steady provision and the overwhelming power of foreign alliances. This highlights that the people's rejection wasn't just political, but a spiritual turning away from God's quiet strength for the perceived security of worldly might.
The prophet Isaiah is delivering a message from God to the people of Judah and Israel. God is warning them about an impending invasion by the Assyrian empire, led by the kings of Syria (Rezin) and Israel (Pekah, son of Remaliah). This verse highlights the people's foolish rejection of God's gentle provision and protection, symbolized by the waters of Shiloah, in favor of trusting in powerful, but ultimately destructive, foreign alliances.
The prophet Isaiah is delivering a message from God to the people of Judah and Israel. God is warning them about an impending invasion by the Assyrian empire, led by the kings of Syria (Rezin) and Israel (Pekah, son of Remaliah). This verse highlights the people's foolish rejection of God's gentle provision and protection, symbolized by the waters of Shiloah, in favor of trusting in powerful, but ultimately destructive, foreign alliances.
"“Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria…" — The verse contrasts the gentle, flowing waters of Shiloah with the turbulent waters of a great river, symbolizing a choice between trusting God's subtle, steady provision and the overwhelming power o…
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