Isaiah 8:20 Meaning and Explanation
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God's written law and testimony are the standard by which to judge all claims and counsel; those who speak against them are spiritually darkened.
The Context of Isaiah 8:20
Isaiah establishes a clear criterion for discerning truth: alignment with God's revealed word (law and testimony).
What Does Isaiah 8:20 Mean?
The remedy to spiritual confusion is to 'go to the law and to the testimony'—to refer all speech and counsel to God's revealed word. Whatever voices or spirits claim to speak truth must be tested against the written revelation God has given. If anyone's teaching, claim, or prophecy contradicts what God has already said, the contradiction itself proves that the speaker is not guided by God's light.
The statement 'if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them' is absolutely clear: alignment with God's revealed word is the mark of spiritual illumination. Darkness (ignorance, deception, separation from God) is the state of those who speak contrary to His word. There is no neutral ground; every claim either aligns with God's law or comes from darkness.
Isaiah 8:20 in the Original Language
testimony (תְעוּדָה, t'udah), 'testimony'—the accumulated witness of God's word and works, preserved in scripture and prophecy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 8:20
What does Isaiah 8:20 mean?
God's written law and testimony are the standard by which to judge all claims and counsel; those who speak against them are spiritually darkened.
What is the context of Isaiah 8:20?
Isaiah establishes a clear criterion for discerning truth: alignment with God's revealed word (law and testimony).