Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 8:16

"Bind thou up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples." — Isaiah 8:16 (ASV)

Bind up - This expression is applicable to a volume or roll of writing. Up to this point, the prophet seems to have had the roll opened, which is mentioned in Isaiah 8:1. Now the prophecy is complete, and he directs to bind it up or close it. Perhaps it is also implied that it would be useless to address a rebellious and headstrong people any further. He had delivered his message, but they disregarded it.

The testimony - The message; especially that to which Uriah and Zechariah had been called to bear witness (Isaiah 8:2). Any message from God, however, is sometimes called a testimony, as being that to which a prophet bears witness (Psalms 19:7; 2 Kings 11:12; Deuteronomy 4:45; Deuteronomy 6:17, 20; 1 Kings 2:3; Nehemiah 9:34).

Seal - Books were made in the form of rolls and were often sealed when completed, as we seal a letter. The mode of sealing them was not by wax only, but by uniting them with any adhesive matter, such as paste or glue. In warm climates, wax would generally be rendered useless by the heat. The meaning here is to secure, to close up—perhaps by passing a cord or string around the volume and making it secure, denoting that it was finished (Daniel 12:4).

The law - The communication or command which he had delivered, and which, being given by inspiration, now had the force of law.

Among my disciples - Most of the Jewish commentators suppose that the volume, when completed by a prophet, was given for safekeeping to his disciples or to some employed to preserve it securely. The word disciples means those who are taught, and here means those who were taught by the prophet; perhaps the pious and holy part of the people who would listen to his instructions. The Chaldee translates this verse: ‘O prophet, preserve the testimony, lest you testify to those who will not obey; seal and hide the law, because they will not learn it.’