The Meaning of Isaiah 8:13 Explained

Isaiah 8:13

KJV: Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

YLT: Jehovah of Hosts -- Him ye do sanctify, And He is your Fear, and He your Dread,

Darby: Jehovah of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

ASV: Jehovah of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Sanctify  the LORD  of hosts  himself; and [let] him [be] your fear,  and [let] him [be] your dread. 

What does Isaiah 8:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Isaiah 8:5-18 - Fear God's Power, Not Man's
It seems likely that Syria and Samaria attacked Ahaz because he would not join in a federation against the growing power of Assyria. A strong party seems to have pressed this policy on him, but in all such schemes they repudiated the Divine Protection, Isaiah 8:6. Compare Psalms 46:4. Ahaz and the court party on the other hand, sought to federate with Assyria. But Isaiah never ceased to urge that the true line of defense was to put away whatever was inconsistent with the fear of God. He would be the sanctuary of defense and hiding in the day of trouble, Isaiah 8:13-14. We learn from Hebrews 2:13, how absolutely, when speaking thus, the prophet was being prompted by the Holy Spirit. If men will not build on God's foundation-stone, they fall over it to their hurt. Compare Isaiah 8:15 and Matthew 21:44. Are we not all in danger of substituting human alliances for federation and union with the eternal God? Let our fellowship be with the Father and the Son; and let us wait for Him till the day dawn and the day star shines, 2 Peter 1:19. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 8

1  In Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, he prophesies Syria and Israel shall be subdued by Assyria
5  Judah likewise for their infidelity
9  God's judgments shall be irresistible
11  Comfort shall be to those who fear God
19  Great afflictions to idolaters

What do the individual words in Isaiah 8:13 mean?

- Yahweh of hosts Him you shall regard as holy and Him [Let be] your fear [let be] your dread
אֶת־ יְהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת אֹת֣וֹ תַקְדִּ֑ישׁוּ וְה֥וּא מוֹרַאֲכֶ֖ם מַֽעֲרִֽצְכֶֽם

אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
יְהוָ֥ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
צְבָא֖וֹת  of  hosts 
Parse: Noun, common plural
Root: צָבָא 
Sense: that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host.
תַקְדִּ֑ישׁוּ  you  shall  regard  as  holy 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: קָדַשׁ  
Sense: to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate.
וְה֥וּא  and  Him 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, third person masculine singular
Root: הוּא 
Sense: he, she, it.
מוֹרַאֲכֶ֖ם  [Let  be]  your  fear 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine plural
Root: מֹורָא 
Sense: fear, reverence, terror.
מַֽעֲרִֽצְכֶֽם  [let  be]  your  dread 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular construct, second person masculine plural
Root: מַעֲרָץ 
Sense: to tremble, dread, fear, oppress, prevail, break, be terrified, cause to tremble.