Isaiah 8:9

“Associate yourselves, O ye people, &c.] Both of Syria and Israel, whose two kings were confederate against Judah: and ye shall be broken in pieces; as the kingdom of Syria was by Tilgathpilneser quickly after this, (<121609>2 Kings 16:9) and the kingdom of Ephraim or Israel by Shalmaneser, (<121706>2 Kings 17:6 <230808>Isaiah 8:8): and give ear, all ye of far countries; the Assyrians, and the nations that belonged to them, who were more remote from Judea: gird yourselves; for a long and tedious march, and for war; it may signify the putting on of their whole armour; for, as Pausaniusf140 says, the ancients used to call putting on of armour, girding: and ye shall be broken in pieces: as the…”

“Associate yourselves--rather, "Raise tumults," or, Rage, that is, Do your worst [MAURER], referring perhaps to the attack of Rezin and Pekah on Jerusalem. and . . . be broken in pieces--rather, "yet ye shall be thrown into consternation." Imperative in the Hebrew, according to the idiom whereby the second of two imperatives implies the future, namely, the consequence of the action contained in the first (so Isa 6:9). The name "Immanuel" in Isa 8:8 (compare Isa 8:10) suggests the thought of the ultimate safety of Immanuel's land, both from its present two invaders, and even from the Assyrians, notwithstanding the grievous flood, wherewith the previous verses foretell they shall deluge it. The…”

“Associate yourselves - In the previous verses the prophet had seen the Assyrian coming up on the land like an overwhelming flood. He looked upon the danger, and his mind was turned to the pledge of safety which God had given. The name Immanuel, and the promise connected with the giving of that name Isaiah 7:16, reminded him of the perfect safety of the nation, for it was a pledge that God was with them; see Isaiah 8:10. In view of this pledge of the protection of God, this verse is a spirited apostrophe to the mighty host that was about to invade the land. Though confederated and vast, yet they could not prevail. They should be scattered, much as they might be prepared for victory, for God…”

“Ye people - Syrians and Israelites. All ye - Whosoever you be, who conspire against Immanuel's land. Gird - Prepare yourselves for war. Broken - This is repeated for the greater assurance of the thing, and the comfort of God's people. Isaiah 8:11”

“8:9-10 God’s plan to rescue his stubborn people would ultimately be fulfilled. God planned to destroy Assyria, just as he does every other proud nation that rejects him or boasts in its own power.”

“Associate: Isa 7:1, Isa 7:2, Isa 54:15; Jer 46:9-11; Eze 38:9-23; Joe 3:9-14; Mic 4:11-13; Zac 14:1-3; Rev 17:12-14, Rev 20:8, Rev 20:9 and ye: or, yet ye, Isa 14:5, Isa 14:6, Isa 28:13; Psa 37:14, Psa 37:15; Pro 11:21 gird: Isa 37:36; Kg1 20:11 Isaiah 8:10”

“The prophet's imploring look at Immanuel does not remain unanswered. We may see this from the fact, that what was almost a silent prayer is changed at once into the jubilate of holy defiance. "Exasperate yourselves, O nations, and go to pieces; and see it, all who are far off in the earth! Gird yourselves, and go to pieces; gird yourselves, and go to pieces! Consult counsel, and it comes to nought; speak the word, and it is not realized: for with us is God." The second imperatives in Isa 8:9 are threatening words of authority, having a future signification, which change into futures in Isa 8:19 (Ges. 130, 2): Go on exasperating yourselves רעוּ( with the tone upon the penultimate, and…”