Isaiah 30:8
Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
Original Language Analysis
עַתָּ֗ה
H6258
כָתְבָ֥הּ
write
H3789
כָתְבָ֥הּ
write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
3 of 15
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
ל֛וּחַ
it before them in a table
H3871
ל֛וּחַ
it before them in a table
Strong's:
H3871
Word #:
5 of 15
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
אִתָּ֖ם
H854
אִתָּ֖ם
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סֵ֣פֶר
it in a book
H5612
סֵ֣פֶר
it in a book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
חֻקָּ֑הּ
and note
H2710
חֻקָּ֑הּ
and note
Strong's:
H2710
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, to hack, i.e., engrave (judges 5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication, to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive
וּתְהִי֙
H1961
וּתְהִי֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְי֣וֹם
that it may be for the time
H3117
לְי֣וֹם
that it may be for the time
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אַחֲר֔וֹן
to come
H314
אַחֲר֔וֹן
to come
Strong's:
H314
Word #:
12 of 15
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
לָעַ֖ד
ever
H5703
לָעַ֖ד
ever
Strong's:
H5703
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e., (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or wit
Cross References
Isaiah 8:1Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.Deuteronomy 31:22Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.Habakkuk 2:2And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.Jeremiah 36:2Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.Jeremiah 51:60So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon.Deuteronomy 31:19Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.Numbers 24:14And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.Deuteronomy 4:30When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
Historical Context
Writing prophecies for permanent record was crucial in Israel. Moses wrote the Law (Exodus 24:4); Joshua wrote in the book of the Law (Joshua 24:26); prophets' words were recorded (Jeremiah 36; Habakkuk 2:2). These written testimonies served multiple purposes:
- public witness—everyone knew what God said
- future vindication—when prophecy came true, it proved God's reliability
- perpetual warning—later generations could learn from ancestors' failures.
Isaiah's written prophecy concerning Egypt's worthlessness and Judah's folly became permanent Scripture, teaching believers for 2,700 years about the danger of trusting human helps rather than divine providence. We read it today as "witness forever" to choose faith over political calculation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does writing down God's word (Scripture) serve as permanent witness to His truth and our accountability?
- What does it mean that this prophecy is "for the time to come forever"—how do ancient warnings apply today?
- How should knowing our choices are recorded 'for ever and ever' affect our decisions?
Analysis & Commentary
Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book (עַתָּה בּוֹא כָתְבָהּ עַל־לוּחַ אִתָּם וְעַל־סֵפֶר חֻקָּהּ/attah bo khotvah al-luach itam ve'al-sefer chuqah)—Divine command to Isaiah: write this prophecy publicly and permanently. Luach means tablet (like stone tablets of the Law)—public display for immediate witness. Sefer means book/scroll—permanent record for future generations. Chuqah means inscribe, engrave. God wants this prophecy documented in writing as legal testimony.
That it may be for the time to come for ever and ever (וּתְהִי לְיוֹם אַחֲרוֹן לָעַד עַד־עוֹלָם/utehi leyom acharon la'ad ad-olam)—Threefold emphasis on permanence: "the time to come" (yom acharon, latter day), "forever" (la'ad), "and ever" (ad-olam, unto eternity). This written testimony will vindicate God's word and indict the people's unbelief. Future generations will read and know: God warned them, they refused, He was right, they were wrong.