I will wait for the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the importance of patience and faith in God's timing. In the context of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking during a time of impending judgment and uncertainty for Israel. Waiting for the LORD signifies a deep trust in God's plan and timing, even when immediate circumstances seem dire. This echoes the sentiment found in other scriptures, such as Psalm 27:14, which encourages believers to "wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart." The act of waiting is not passive but involves active faith and hope in God's promises.

who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob
The imagery of God hiding His face suggests a period of divine displeasure or judgment. In the Old Testament, God's face represents His favor and presence. When He hides His face, it indicates a withdrawal of His blessing due to the people's sin and rebellion. The "house of Jacob" refers to the nation of Israel, highlighting their covenant relationship with God. This phrase reflects the historical context of Israel's disobedience and the resulting consequences, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:17-18, where God warns of hiding His face due to Israel's future unfaithfulness.

I will put my trust in Him
This declaration of trust is a personal commitment to rely on God's faithfulness despite the circumstances. Trusting in God is a central theme throughout the Bible, exemplified by figures like Abraham, who "believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). In the New Testament, this trust is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God's faithfulness and love. The act of trusting God involves surrendering one's own understanding and control, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6, and is a key aspect of a believer's relationship with God.

1. Isaiah
The prophet who delivers God's messages to the people of Judah. He is the author of the book and a central figure in this passage.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is described as hiding His face from His people due to their disobedience.

3. The House of Jacob
Refers to the nation of Israel, specifically the people of Judah during Isaiah's time, who are experiencing God's displeasure.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, where Isaiah prophesied, facing threats from surrounding nations and internal spiritual decline.

5. Assyrian Threat
The geopolitical context includes the looming threat of Assyrian invasion, which serves as a backdrop for the people's fear and Isaiah's call to trust in God.Trust in God's Timing
Even when God seems distant, believers are called to trust in His perfect timing and plan.

Faith Amidst Silence
God's silence is not absence. Faith involves trusting in God's presence and promises, even when He seems hidden.

Repentance and Restoration
The hiding of God's face often calls for introspection and repentance, leading to spiritual restoration.

Hope in Adversity
In times of national or personal crisis, like the Assyrian threat, hope and trust in God provide stability and peace.

Active Waiting
Waiting for the LORD is not passive but involves active trust, prayer, and obedience to His word.(17) And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face . . .--The words come in somewhat abruptly, but not to the extent that justifies the assumption of some critics that a verse has been lost. The prophet enforces precept by example. He has learnt to conquer the feverish desire to know the future, which led men to trust in soothsayers and diviners, and from which even his own disciples were not altogether exempt. He is content to "wait," even though Jehovah "hide His face," though predictions seem to fail (see Note on Isaiah 8:1), and all seems dark and hopeless. There is, perhaps, a contrast between the fact that Jehovah hides His face from the house of Jacob, that all is dark for the nation's life as such, while yet the prophet, in his own individuality, can "look for Him" with the eye of faith.

Verses 17, 18. - ISAIAH DEFINES HIS OWN ATTITUDE AND THAT OF HIS CHILDREN. It is questioned whether something has not fallen out between vers. 16 and 17. The transition is exceedingly abrupt, undoubtedly; but perhaps not more abrupt than elsewhere in Isaiah and the prophets contemporary with him. The Divine "instruction" comes to an end in ver. 16; and Isaiah might have been expected to comment on it, or enforce its teaching; but he does neither. He simply states what his own attitude will be under the coming calamity (ver. 8). He will "wait for the Lord and look to him" (ver. 17), and consider himself and his children as doing a work for God in being "signs" (ver. 18) - signs to which the rest of Israel may look, and from which they may derive sufficient hope and confidence to carry them through the dark time which is approaching. Verse 17. - I will wait upon the Lord; rather, I will wait for the Lord; i.e. "await the time of his relenting" (see Isaiah 30:18; Isaiah 64:4, etc.). That hideth his face from the house of Jacob (compare the threats in Deuteronomy 31:17; Deuteronomy 32:20). The light of God's countenance is to the spiritual what that of the sun is to the material world. All life, health, joy, happiness, proceed from it. This light was now to be withdrawn for a time on account of the people's sins. But Isaiah would "wait" for its reappearance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


I will wait
וְחִכִּ֙יתִי֙ (wə·ḥik·kî·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2442: To adhere to, to await

for the LORD,
לַיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

who is hiding
הַמַּסְתִּ֥יר (ham·mas·tîr)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5641: To hide, conceal

His face
פָּנָ֖יו (pā·nāw)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

from the house
מִבֵּ֣ית (mib·bêṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Jacob.
יַעֲקֹ֑ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

I will put my trust
וְקִוֵּ֖יתִֽי־ (wə·qiw·wê·ṯî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6960: To bind together, collect, to expect

in Him.
לֽוֹ׃ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 8:17 I will wait for Yahweh who hides (Isa Isi Is)