John Gill Commentary Isaiah 8:11

"For Jehovah spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying," — Isaiah 8:11 (ASV)

For the Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand
In the strength of prophecy, as the Targum explains it; and so all the Jews' interpreters understand it of prophecy, as in (Ezekiel 1:3) (3:14) : or, "the Lord spoke thus to me, when he took (me) by the hand" ^F20 ;

as parents or masters take hold of the hands of children, while they are advising and instructing them, as expressive of their great affection for them; and when they would retain them with them, or restrain them from doing amiss:

and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people :
or join with them in desiring and seeking for the help of the king of Assyria, against Rezin and Remaliah's son; or in being willing to surrender up into their hands:

saying ;
as follows:

---

FOOTNOTES:

• F20: (dyh tqzxb) "apprehensione manus", Piscator; "cum manu me apprehenderit", Tigurine version.