Isaiah 8:19
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?"

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And when they shall say unto you,.... These are the words of Christ continued, as making his appearance in Israel; and are an address to his people among them, even to his children, disciples, and followers, advising them what they should do, when those among whom they dwelt should press them to seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards, that peep, and that mutter; meaning the Scribes and Pharisees, the doctors among the Jews, who sat in Moses's chair, and who were very much given to sorcery, and the magic art,

and used enchantments, which were performed by "muttering"; hence we read of muttering over a wound for the healing of it; and muttering over serpents and scorpions at the driving of them away (y); and of such a Rabbi muttering in the name of such an one (z); and of such and such a doctor skilled in wonders or miraculous operations: See Gill on Mat 24:24 yea, even such as were chosen into the sanhedrim, or great council, were to be skilled in the arts of soothsayers, diviners, and wizards, and the like, that they might know how to judge them (a); now the Jews would have had the disciples of Christ to have applied to these men to direct their judgments in religious affairs, and be determined by them concerning the Messiah and other things: should not a people seek unto their God? "to" Christ, who is the Lord God omniscient and omnipotent, who knows all things, and whose name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Angel of the great council; and who is able to give the best counsel and direction in matters of moment and consequence, and able to do everything for his people they stand in need of; and who being present with them, God manifest in the flesh, it would be egregious folly to apply to any other, and especially such as are here described; see Joh 6:68 , for the living to the dead? that is, should men seek to such who are no other than dead men, for the sake or on the account of such who are living? The disciples of Christ, the children that God had given him, were quickened and made alive by the grace of God, had principles of grace and spiritual life implanted in them, had passed from death to life, lived by faith on Christ, lived holy lives, and were heirs of eternal life; and therefore it does not become them, nor any of them, to consult persons dead in trespasses and sins, who knew no more, and were no more capable of judging of spiritual things, than dead men are. See Co1 2:14 . (y) T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 101. 1. (z) T. Hieros. Avoda Zara, fol. 40. 4. (a) Maimon. Hilchot Sanhedrin, c. 2. sect. 1.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (19 words)

H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H1875 דָּרַשׁ
Definition:

16seeדרשׁ.דָּרַשׁ162verbresort to, seek(compare Arabicrub over, efface(a site),tread(wheat), figurativeread repeatedly, study;beat(a path),discuss, Pa`elpractise in; Late Hebrewsearch out(a meaning),e 16seeדרשׁ.דָּרַשׁ162verbresort to, seek(compare Arabicrub over, efface(a site),tread(wheat), figurativeread repeatedly, study;beat(a path),discuss, Pa`elpractise in; Late Hebrewsearch out(a meaning),e

Possible Meanings:
  • frequent (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0178 אוֹב
Definition:

19skin-bottle, necromancer, etc. — absolute׳אLeviticus 20:278t.; pluralאֹבוֺתLeviticus 19:317t. —1skin-bottle, only pluralאֹבוֺת חֲדָשִׁיםnew(wine-)skinsJob 32:19.2necromancer, in phraseאוֺב אוֺ יִדְּ 19skin-bottle, necromancer, etc. — absolute׳אLeviticus 20:278t.; pluralאֹבוֺתLeviticus 19:317t. —1skin-bottle, only pluralאֹבוֺת חֲדָשִׁיםnew(wine-)skinsJob 32:19.2necromancer, in phraseאוֺב אוֺ יִדְּ

Possible Meanings:
  • ghost (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H3049 יִדְּעֹנִי
Definition:

112t.; pluralיִדְּעֹנִים1 Samuel 28:36t.;הַיִּדְּעֹנִי מִן1 Samuel 28:9, readהַיִּדְּעֹנִים מִן(seeᵐ5Th We Klo Dr);familiar spirit, always ""אוֺב,אֹבוֺת1 Samuel 28:3,9;Isaiah 8:19;Isaiah 19:3;2 Kings 112t.; pluralיִדְּעֹנִים1 Samuel 28:36t.;הַיִּדְּעֹנִי מִן1 Samuel 28:9, readהַיִּדְּעֹנִים מִן(seeᵐ5Th We Klo Dr);familiar spirit, always ""אוֺב,אֹבוֺת1 Samuel 28:3,9;Isaiah 8:19;Isaiah 19:3;2 Kings

Possible Meanings:
  • knowing (semantic_range)
  • wise (semantic_range)
  • intimate acquaintance (semantic_range)
H6850 צָפַף
Definition:

4, 1singularאֲצַפְצֵףIsaiah 38:14;ParticipleמְצַפְצֵףIsaiah 10:14, pluralהַמְפְצְפִיםIsaiah 8:19; —chirp, peep:1of birdsIsaiah 10:14(figurative of conquered peoples); of mourning,׳בְּסוּסאֲ֗֗֗צIsaiah 4, 1singularאֲצַפְצֵףIsaiah 38:14;ParticipleמְצַפְצֵףIsaiah 10:14, pluralהַמְפְצְפִיםIsaiah 8:19; —chirp, peep:1of birdsIsaiah 10:14(figurative of conquered peoples); of mourning,׳בְּסוּסאֲ֗֗֗צIsaiah

H1897 הָגָה
Definition:

8; 1singularהָגִ֫יתִיPsalm 143:5,וְהָגִיתִיconsecutivePsalm 77:13;ImperfectיֶהְגֶּהJob 27:48t.; 3 feminine singularתֶּהְגֶּהPsalm 35:282t.,אֶהְגֶּהPsalm 63:7;Isaiah 38:14,יֶהְגּוּPsalm 2:1+ 2t.,תֶּהְג 8; 1singularהָגִ֫יתִיPsalm 143:5,וְהָגִיתִיconsecutivePsalm 77:13;ImperfectיֶהְגֶּהJob 27:48t.; 3 feminine singularתֶּהְגֶּהPsalm 35:282t.,אֶהְגֶּהPsalm 63:7;Isaiah 38:14,יֶהְגּוּPsalm 2:1+ 2t.,תֶּהְג

Possible Meanings:
  • remove (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H5971 עַם
Definition:

Fromamam; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock -- folk, men, nation, people.see HEBREWamamBrow Fromamam; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock -- folk, men, nation, people.see HEBREWamamBrow

Possible Meanings:
  • with (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H1875 דָּרַשׁ
Definition:

16seeדרשׁ.דָּרַשׁ162verbresort to, seek(compare Arabicrub over, efface(a site),tread(wheat), figurativeread repeatedly, study;beat(a path),discuss, Pa`elpractise in; Late Hebrewsearch out(a meaning),e 16seeדרשׁ.דָּרַשׁ162verbresort to, seek(compare Arabicrub over, efface(a site),tread(wheat), figurativeread repeatedly, study;beat(a path),discuss, Pa`elpractise in; Late Hebrewsearch out(a meaning),e

Possible Meanings:
  • frequent (semantic_range)
H1157 בְּעַד
Definition:

1,3;Songs 6:7, elsewhere constructבְּעַד, with suffixבַּעֲדִיExodus 8:24+,בַּעֲדֵנִיPsalm 139:11;בַּעַדְךָGenesis 20:7+;בַּעֲדוֺetc.; 1 pluralבַּעֲדֵנוּ,Amos 9:10בַּעֲדֵינוּ;בַּעַדְכֶם1 Samuel 7:5+;בַ 1,3;Songs 6:7, elsewhere constructבְּעַד, with suffixבַּעֲדִיExodus 8:24+,בַּעֲדֵנִיPsalm 139:11;בַּעַדְךָGenesis 20:7+;בַּעֲדוֺetc.; 1 pluralבַּעֲדֵנוּ,Amos 9:10בַּעֲדֵינוּ;בַּעַדְכֶם1 Samuel 7:5+;בַ

Possible Meanings:
  • separation (semantic_range)
  • in separation from (semantic_range)
  • away from (semantic_range)
  • behind (semantic_range)
  • about (semantic_range)
H2416 חַי
Definition:

Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat

H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H4191 מוּת
Definition:

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill -- X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-manc to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill -- X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-manc

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