Isaiah 8:6
Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;
Original Language Analysis
יַ֗עַן
Forasmuch
H3282
יַ֗עַן
Forasmuch
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָעָ֣ם
as this people
H5971
הָעָ֣ם
as this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֵ֣י
the waters
H4325
מֵ֣י
the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
7 of 15
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
הַהֹלְכִ֖ים
that go
H1980
הַהֹלְכִ֖ים
that go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וּמְשׂ֥וֹשׂ
and rejoice
H4885
וּמְשׂ֥וֹשׂ
and rejoice
Strong's:
H4885
Word #:
11 of 15
delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
John 9:7And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.Nehemiah 3:15But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.
Historical Context
The Pool of Shiloah/Siloam provided Jerusalem's water through Hezekiah's tunnel (later enlarged). Its gentle flow contrasted with violent winter torrents. Some in Judah apparently sympathized with the Syrian-Israelite alliance against Assyria, rejecting Ahaz's dynasty. This faction 'rejoiced' at the alliance's strength, seeing it as liberation from Davidic rule. Their rejection of God's appointed king paralleled rejecting God Himself.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do we reject God's gentle, faithful provision in favor of worldly power and alliances?
- How does contempt for God's appointed authorities reflect deeper contempt for God Himself?
- What are the 'soft waters' of God's grace that we take for granted in our spiritual lives?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The people's refusal of 'the waters of Shiloah that go softly' represents rejection of God's gentle, quiet provision in favor of worldly power. Shiloah (Siloam) was Jerusalem's gentle, steady water source—a metaphor for God's faithful, peaceful governance through the Davidic line. Their 'rejoicing in Rezin and Remaliah's son' shows misplaced confidence in God's enemies. This illustrates the Reformed doctrine of total depravity—humanity's bent toward trusting anything except God. The contrast between soft waters and coming flood (verse 7-8) shows the consequence of rejecting gentle grace.