Isaiah 8:15
And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָ֥שְׁלוּ
among them shall stumble
H3782
וְכָ֥שְׁלוּ
among them shall stumble
Strong's:
H3782
Word #:
1 of 7
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
רַבִּ֑ים
And many
H7227
רַבִּ֑ים
And many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
3 of 7
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְנָפְל֣וּ
and fall
H5307
וְנָפְל֣וּ
and fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
4 of 7
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
Cross References
Matthew 21:44And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.Isaiah 28:13But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Historical Context
Historically fulfilled in successive judgments: Assyrian conquest of northern Israel (722 BC), near-destruction of Judah (701 BC), Babylonian exile (586 BC). The 'many' who stumbled included most of Israel's population. Jesus applied this stone imagery to Himself (Matthew 21:42-44), predicting many would stumble over Him. The Jewish rejection of Jesus in the first century represented the ultimate fulfillment—many stumbled, were broken, and taken in AD 70's destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- What are the progressive stages of spiritual decline when we reject God's word?
- How does this verse warn against the false security of being part of God's covenant community without true faith?
- In what ways do people stumble over Christ and the gospel in our generation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prophecy of widespread stumbling, breaking, snaring, and capture emphasizes the comprehensive nature of judgment. 'Many' suggests not all but a significant portion—the majority who reject God's word. The progression intensifies: stumble (initial error), fall (complete failure), broken (shattered beyond self-repair), snared and taken (captured in judgment). This illustrates the downward spiral of rejecting God's word—initial missteps lead to complete ruin. Yet 'many' not 'all' hints at a preserved remnant.