Isaiah 8:18
Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
Original Language Analysis
וְהַיְלָדִים֙
Behold I and the children
H3206
וְהַיְלָדִים֙
Behold I and the children
Strong's:
H3206
Word #:
3 of 16
something born, i.e., a lad or offspring
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָֽתַן
hath given
H5414
נָֽתַן
hath given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה
from the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְאֹת֥וֹת
me are for signs
H226
לְאֹת֥וֹת
me are for signs
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
8 of 16
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
וּלְמוֹפְתִ֖ים
and for wonders
H4159
וּלְמוֹפְתִ֖ים
and for wonders
Strong's:
H4159
Word #:
9 of 16
a miracle; by implication, a token or omen
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֵעִם֙
H5973
מֵעִם֙
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
11 of 16
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יְהוָ֣ה
from the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
13 of 16
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הַשֹּׁכֵ֖ן
which dwelleth
H7931
הַשֹּׁכֵ֖ן
which dwelleth
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
14 of 16
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Zechariah 8:3Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.Luke 2:34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;Psalms 9:11Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.Psalms 71:7I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.Isaiah 53:10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.Psalms 22:30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.Zechariah 3:8Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.Isaiah 12:6Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.Isaiah 7:16For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.Isaiah 24:23Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
Historical Context
Isaiah's sons served as walking prophecies. Shear-jashub accompanied Isaiah to meet Ahaz (7:3), his name promising survival of a remnant. Maher-shalal-hash-baz's birth timed Damascus and Samaria's fall (8:1-4). These children were living reminders of God's word. Similarly, Hosea's children bore prophetic names (Hosea 1). This practice made prophecy tangible and unforgettable—every time Isaiah's sons were seen or named, God's message was proclaimed.
Questions for Reflection
- How do our families and children serve as witnesses to God's work in our generation?
- What does it mean to view our children as gifts from the Lord with potential for kingdom purposes?
- In what ways do our lives serve as 'signs and wonders' pointing others to God's truth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Isaiah's family becomes living prophetic signs to Israel. 'The children whom the Lord hath given me' indicates divine gift and purpose. As 'signs and wonders,' they embody God's message: Shear-jashub ('a remnant shall return') and Maher-shalal-hash-baz ('speed the spoil') proclaim judgment and hope. The phrase 'from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion' grounds these signs in God's covenant presence among His people. This demonstrates how God uses ordinary family life for extraordinary prophetic purposes, making believers' lives visible testimonies to divine truth.