Isaiah 8

“Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning…” Naming Maher and Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.” Naming Jeberechiah and Uriah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name…” Naming Call and Maher keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“The LORD spake also unto me again, saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, spake. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son;” Naming Forasmuch and Remaliah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” Naming Sanctify keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.” Naming Bind keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I will wait upon the LORD , that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.” Naming Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts…” Naming Israel and Zion keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include light, testimony, word. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.