Isaiah 8:6
"Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and the son of Remaliah,
Because this people has rejected
The phrase begins with a clear indication of a choice made by the people of Judah. The Hebrew word for "rejected" is "ma'as," which conveys a strong sense of disdain or refusal. Historically, this reflects the period when the people of Judah, under King Ahaz, turned away from God's guidance and sought alliances with foreign powers, such as Assyria, rather than trusting in the Lord. This rejection is not merely a passive act but an active decision to turn away from the divine covenant, highlighting the spiritual infidelity of the nation.

the gently flowing waters of Shiloah
The "gently flowing waters of Shiloah" symbolize God's provision and peace. Shiloah, or Siloam, was a small, steady stream in Jerusalem, representing God's quiet and sustaining presence. The Hebrew word "shiloah" suggests tranquility and a gentle flow, contrasting with the tumultuous and destructive forces the people preferred. This imagery underscores the people's rejection of God's peaceful and sustaining presence in favor of more turbulent and unreliable sources of security.

and rejoiced in Rezin
Rezin was the king of Aram (Syria), and his name here represents the political alliances that Judah sought. The Hebrew root "sus" for "rejoiced" implies a sense of delight or exultation. Historically, this reflects the political climate where Judah, instead of relying on God, found false joy and security in alliances with foreign powers. This misplaced trust in human leaders rather than divine guidance is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, warning against the dangers of political expediency over spiritual fidelity.

and the son of Remaliah
The "son of Remaliah" refers to Pekah, the king of Israel, who allied with Rezin against Judah. This phrase highlights the political intrigue and the complex web of alliances that characterized the period. The mention of Pekah, without using his name, emphasizes his identity as a usurper and illegitimate ruler, further illustrating the folly of Judah's reliance on unstable and ungodly alliances. The historical context here is crucial, as it reflects the divided kingdom and the internal strife that weakened the people spiritually and politically.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book and is delivering God's message to the people of Judah.

2. Shiloah
A reference to the gently flowing waters of the Siloam pool in Jerusalem, symbolizing God's provision and peace.

3. Rezin
The king of Aram (Syria) who formed an alliance with the Northern Kingdom of Israel against Judah.

4. Son of Remaliah
Pekah, the king of Israel, who allied with Rezin against Judah.

5. Judah
The Southern Kingdom, which is being warned by Isaiah for its lack of trust in God and its political alliances.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Provision
The "gently flowing waters of Shiloah" symbolize God's quiet and steady provision. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's subtle yet faithful care rather than seeking security in worldly alliances or power.

The Danger of Rejecting God
Judah's rejection of God's provision in favor of political alliances serves as a warning against turning away from God's guidance. This teaches the importance of prioritizing spiritual faithfulness over worldly strategies.

The Consequences of Misplaced Joy
Rejoicing in Rezin and Pekah represents misplaced trust and joy. Believers should find their joy in God's promises rather than in temporary or unreliable sources.

Spiritual Insight and Healing
The connection to the Pool of Siloam in John 9 reminds us of the spiritual insight and healing that comes from trusting in Jesus, the true source of living water.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of "gently flowing waters" in Isaiah 8:6 challenge our understanding of God's provision in our lives today?

2. In what ways might we be tempted to "rejoice in Rezin and the son of Remaliah" in our modern context, and how can we guard against this?

3. How does the historical context of Isaiah 8:6 enhance our understanding of the message God was conveying to Judah?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's "gently flowing" provision. How did it differ from what you expected or sought?

5. How can the account of the Pool of Siloam in John 9 inspire us to seek spiritual insight and healing in our daily walk with Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 16
Provides historical context for the alliance between Rezin and Pekah against Judah, highlighting the political turmoil of the time.

John 9
The Pool of Siloam is mentioned in the New Testament, where Jesus heals a blind man, symbolizing spiritual insight and healing.

Psalm 46
Speaks of God as a river whose streams make glad the city of God, paralleling the imagery of Shiloah as a source of divine peace and provision.
Jehovah Like the Waters of ShiloahR. Tuck Isaiah 8:6
Shiloah and EuphratesAlexander MaclarenIsaiah 8:6
A Virtual Renunciation of the Consolation of IsraelS. Cox, D. D.Isaiah 8:5-8
By Cool Siloam's Shady RillC. A. Healing, B. A.Isaiah 8:5-8
Choice and its ConsequencesJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 8:5-8
Christ the True ShiloahS. Cox, D. D.Isaiah 8:5-8
Consolation Amidst Predictions of JudgmentF. Delitzsch.Isaiah 8:5-8
God's Gentle CareD. Fraser, D. D.Isaiah 8:5-8
Judgment and SalvationA. B. Davidson, LL. D.Isaiah 8:5-8
Shiloah a Type of Gospel GraceW. A. Gray.Isaiah 8:5-8
Shiloah and the Euphrates, or Mercy and JudgmentHomilistIsaiah 8:5-8
The Choices of LifeW. A. Gray.Isaiah 8:5-8
The False Standard and the Fatal IssueW. Clarkson Isaiah 8:5-8
The Jewish Temptation to a False TrustS. Cox, D. D.Isaiah 8:5-8
The Waters of ShiloahS. Cox, D. D.Isaiah 8:5-8
Wise and Unwise ChoicesIsaiah 8:5-8
God with UsE. Johnson Isaiah 8:5-15
People
Immanuel, Isaiah, Jacob, Jeberechiah, Mahershalalhashbaz, Remaliah, Rezin, Uriah, Urijah, Zechariah
Places
Assyria, Damascus, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Judah, Mount Zion, Samaria, Shiloah
Topics
Fear, Flow, Flowing, Forasmuch, Gently, Inasmuch, Melt, Nothing, Refused, Refuseth, Rejected, Rejoice, Rejoices, Rejoiceth, Rejoicing, Remaliah, Remali'ah, Remaliah's, Rezin, Shiloah, Shilo'ah, Softly, Softly-flowing, Waters
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 8:6

     6231   rejection of God
     8032   trust, lack of

Isaiah 8:4-7

     7216   exile, in Assyria

Isaiah 8:5-8

     8728   enemies, of Israel and Judah

Isaiah 8:6-8

     4260   rivers and streams
     7259   promised land, later history
     8224   dependence

Library
Shiloah and Euphrates
Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly ... the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many.' ISAIAH viii. 6, 7. The kingdom of Judah was threatened with a great danger in an alliance between Israel and Damascus. The cowardly King Ahaz, instead of listening to Isaiah's strong assurances and relying on the help of God, made what he thought a master-stroke of policy in invoking the help of the formidable Assyrian power. That ambitious military
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Search the Scriptures
I feel at this particular crisis of religious affairs, it is imperative upon the Christian minister to urge his people to hold fast the doctrines of the truth--the words of God. This seems likely to become the age of preaching, rather than the age of praying. We now see everywhere large congregations assembling in halls and abbeys to listen to the Word preached; and it is an ominous sign of the times, that these preachings are not only espoused by the orthodox, but even by those whom we have considered
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace
? Perseverance of the Saints--"The Final Perseverance of Believers in Christ Jesus," by William O'Neill (message 5). The Rev. C. H. SPURGEON took the chair at 3 o'clock. The proceedings were commenced by singing the 21st Hymn-- Saved from the damning power of sin, The law's tremendous curse, We'll now the sacred song begin Where God began with us. We'll sing the vast unmeasured grace Which, from the days of old, Did all his chosen sons embrace, As sheep within the fold. The basis of eternal love
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

Prefatory Scripture Passages.
To the Law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.-- Isa. viii. 20. Thus saith the Lord; Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.--Jer. vi. 16. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

Of the Scriptures
Eph. ii. 20.--"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." Believers are "the temple of the living God," in which he dwells and walks, 2 Cor. vi. 16. Every one of them is a little sanctuary and temple to his Majesty, "sanctify the Lord of hosts in your hearts." Though he be "the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity," yet he is pleased to come down to this poor cottage of a creature's heart, and dwell in it. Is not this
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Trials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in Such an Engagement in War, and Associate with the Malignant Party.
That It Is Not Lawful For The Well Affected Subjects To Concur In Such An Engagement In War, And Associate With The Malignant Party. Some convinced of the unlawfulness of the public resolutions and proceedings, in reference to the employing of the malignant party, yet do not find such clearness and satisfaction in their own consciences as to forbid the subjects to concur in this war, and associate with the army so constituted. Therefore it is needful to speak something to this point, That it is
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Universality of Actual Grace
The gratuity of grace does not conflict with its universality. Though God distributes His graces freely, He grants them to all men without exception, because He wills all to be saved. This divine "will to save" (voluntas Dei salvifica) may be regarded in relation either to the wayfaring state or to the status termini. Regarded from the first-mentioned point of view it is a merciful will (voluntas misericordiae) and is generally called first or antecedent will (voluntas prima s. antecedens)
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Jesus' Temporary Residence at Capernaum.
^A Matt. IV. 13-16. ^a 13 And leaving Nazareth [This expression means that Jesus now ceased to make Nazareth his home. For description of Nazareth, see page 60], he came and dwelt in Capernaum [See page 119. Capernaum means city of Nahum, or village of consolation. Its modern name, "Tel-Hum," means hill of Nahum. The word "dwelt" means that Jesus made this town his headquarters. He owned no house there (Matt. viii. 20). He may have dwelt with some of his disciples--for instance, Simon Peter--Matt.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Of the Character of the Unregenerate.
Ephes. ii. 1, 2. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. AMONG all the various trusts which men can repose in each other, hardly any appears to be more solemn and tremendous, than the direction of their sacred time, and especially of those hours which they spend in the exercise of public devotion.
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

To Pastors and Teachers
To Pastors and Teachers If all who laboured for the conversion of others were to introduce them immediately into Prayer and the Interior Life, and make it their main design to gain and win over the heart, numberless as well as permanent conversions would certainly ensue. On the contrary, few and transient fruits must attend that labour which is confined to outward matters; such as burdening the disciple with a thousand precepts for external exercises, instead of leaving the soul to Christ by the
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

"But if we Walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have Fellowship one with Another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His
1 John i. 7.--"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Art is the imitation of nature, and true religion is a divine art, that consists in the imitation of God himself, the author of nature. Therefore it is a more high and transcendent thing, of a sublimer nature than all the arts and sciences among men. Those reach but to some resemblance of the wisdom of God, expressed in his works,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Wicked Husbandmen.
"Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

First Sunday in Lent
Text: Second Corinthians 6, 1-10. 1 And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain 2 (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, and in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): 3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; 4 but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities,
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone].
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

History of the Interpretation.
1. AMONG THE JEWS. This History, as to its essential features, might, a priori, be sketched with tolerable certainty. From the nature of the case, we could scarcely expect that the Jews should have adopted views altogether erroneous as to the subject of the prophecy in question; for the Messiah appears in it, not in His humiliation, but in His glory--rich in gifts and blessings, and Pelagian self-delusion will, a priori, return an affirmative answer to the question as to whether one is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Links
Isaiah 8:6 NIV
Isaiah 8:6 NLT
Isaiah 8:6 ESV
Isaiah 8:6 NASB
Isaiah 8:6 KJV

Isaiah 8:6 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Isaiah 8:5
Top of Page
Top of Page