The Meaning of Isaiah 8:6 Explained

Isaiah 8:6

KJV: Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

YLT: 'Because that this people hath refused The waters of Shiloah that go softly, And is rejoicing with Rezin and the son of Remaliah,

Darby: Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah which flow softly, and rejoiceth in Rezin and in the son of Remaliah,

ASV: Forasmuch as this people have refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Forasmuch  as this people  refuseth  the waters  of Shiloah  that go  softly,  and rejoice  in Rezin  and Remaliah's  son; 

What does Isaiah 8:6 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 8:6 mean?

because Inasmuch as refused people this - the waters of Shiloah that flow softly and rejoice in - Rezin and in son of Remaliah
יַ֗עַן כִּ֤י מָאַס֙ הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה אֵ֚ת מֵ֣י הַשִּׁלֹ֔חַ הַהֹלְכִ֖ים לְאַ֑ט וּמְשׂ֥וֹשׂ אֶת־ רְצִ֖ין וּבֶן־ רְמַלְיָֽהוּ

יַ֗עַן  because 
Parse: Adverb
Root: יַעַן  
Sense: because, therefore, because that, on account of prep.
כִּ֤י  Inasmuch  as 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
מָאַס֙  refused 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָאַס 
Sense: to reject, despise, refuse.
הָעָ֣ם  people 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
הַזֶּ֔ה  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, masculine singular
Root: זֶה  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, another, such.
אֵ֚ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
מֵ֣י  the  waters 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
הַשִּׁלֹ֔חַ  of  Shiloah 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: שֶׁלַח 
Sense: a fountain just southeast of Jerusalem.
הַהֹלְכִ֖ים  that  flow 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
לְאַ֑ט  softly 
Parse: Preposition-l, Adverb
Root: אַט 
Sense: gentleness, softness.
וּמְשׂ֥וֹשׂ  and  rejoice  in 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: מָשֹׂושׂ 
Sense: exultation, joy, rejoicing.
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.
רְצִ֖ין  Rezin 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: רְצִין  
Sense: king of Damascus during the reigns of kings Jotham and Ahaz of Judah.
וּבֶן־  and  in  son 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
רְמַלְיָֽהוּ  of  Remaliah 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: רְמַלְיָהוּ  
Sense: father of king Pekah of the northern kingdom of Israel.