Isaiah 8:16

Tie up the scroll as legal evidence, ¹  seal the official record of God’s instructions and give it to my followers. ² 

De 4:45; 2Ki 11:12; Ps 25:14; Pr 8:8,9; Isa 8:20; Isa 29:11; Isa 54:13; Da 9:24; Da 12:4; Da 12:9,10; Mt 13:11; Mr 4:10,11,34; Mr 10:10; Joh 3:32,33; 1Co 2:14; Heb 3:5; 1Jo 5:9-12; Re 2:17; Re 5:1,5; Re 10:4; Re 19:10

¹ tn Heb “tie up [the] testimony.” The “testimony” probably refers to the prophetic messages God has given him. When the prophecies are fulfilled, he will be able to produce this official, written record to confirm the authenticity of his ministry and to prove to the people that God is sovereign over events.

² tn Heb “seal [the] instruction among my followers.” The “instruction” probably refers to the prophet’s exhortations and warnings. When the people are judged for the sins, the prophet can produce these earlier messages and essentially say, “I told you so.” In this way he can authenticate his ministry and impress upon the people the reality of God’s authority over them.