Isaiah 8:10
Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
Original Language Analysis
וְתֻפָ֑ר
and it shall come to nought
H6565
וְתֻפָ֑ר
and it shall come to nought
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
3 of 10
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
דַּבְּר֤וּ
speak
H1696
דַּבְּר֤וּ
speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 10
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
דָבָר֙
the word
H1697
דָבָר֙
the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 10
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָק֔וּם
and it shall not stand
H6965
יָק֔וּם
and it shall not stand
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
7 of 10
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Lamentations 3:37Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?Job 5:12He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.Psalms 46:11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.2 Samuel 15:31And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Psalms 46:7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.Deuteronomy 20:1When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.2 Chronicles 13:12And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
Historical Context
Demonstrated repeatedly in Judah's history: Assyria's plans failed (701 BC), Babylon's temporary success was overturned by Persian decree allowing return (539 BC), and ultimately, all opposition to Messiah's kingdom proves futile. The early church applied this principle when facing Roman persecution—God was with them, and the empire's attempts to destroy Christianity failed spectacularly. 'Immanuel' became a Christian battle cry.
Questions for Reflection
- How have you seen human plans fail when they oppose God's purposes in your own experience?
- What comfort does 'God is with us' provide when facing opposition to your faith?
- How should the certainty of God's victory shape our engagement with a hostile culture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The threefold repetition (verse 9-10) hammers home the futility of opposing God's purposes. 'Take counsel together' represents human wisdom and planning; 'it shall come to nought' declares its certain failure. 'Speak the word' suggests confident decree-making; 'it shall not stand' pronounces its impotence. The climactic reason: 'for God is with us' (Immanuel). This encapsulates the Reformed doctrine of God's irresistible will—human plans cannot override divine purposes. The presence of Immanuel guarantees the security of God's people.