Discovery BoxIsaiah 8:20 
Context8:20 Then you must recall the Lord’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. 1 Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened. 2
Isaiah 36:5
Context36:5 Your claim to have a strategy and military strength is just empty talk. 3 In whom are you trusting, that you would dare to rebel against me?
Isaiah 47:7
Context47:7 You said,
‘I will rule forever as permanent queen!’ 4
You did not think about these things; 5
you did not consider how it would turn out. 6
Isaiah 57:16
Context57:16 For I will not be hostile 7 forever
or perpetually angry,
for then man’s spirit would grow faint before me, 8
the life-giving breath I created.
1 tn Heb “to [the] instruction and to [the] testimony.” The words “then you must recall” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text vv. 19-20a are one long sentence, reading literally, “When they say to you…, to the instruction and to the testimony.” On the identity of the “instruction” and “testimony” see the notes at v. 16.
2 tn Heb “If they do not speak according to this word, [it is] because it has no light of dawn.” The literal translation suggests that “this word” refers to the instruction/testimony. However, it is likely that אִם־לֹא (’im-lo’) is asseverative here, as in 5:9. In this case “this word” refers to the quotation recorded in v. 19. For a discussion of the problem see J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah (NICOT), 230, n. 9. The singular pronoun in the second half of the verse is collective, referring back to the nation (see v. 19b).
3 tn Heb “you say only a word of lips, counsel and might for battle.” Sennacherib’s message appears to be in broken Hebrew at this point. The phrase “word of lips” refers to mere or empty talk in Prov 14:23.
4 tn Heb “Forever I [will be] permanent queen”; NIV “the eternal queen”; CEV “queen forever.”
5 tn Heb “you did not set these things upon your heart [or “mind”].”
6 tn Heb “you did not remember its outcome”; NAB “you disregarded their outcome.”
7 tn Or perhaps, “argue,” or “accuse” (so NAB, NIV, NRSV).
8 tn Heb “for a spirit from before me would be faint.”
