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◄ Isaiah 8:22►

New International Version
Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

New Living Translation
and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.

English Standard Version
And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.

Berean Standard Bible
Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.

King James Bible
And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; andthey shall be driven to darkness.

New King James Version
Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; andthey will be driven into darkness.

New American Standard Bible
Then they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; andthey will be driven away into darkness.

NASB 1995
Then they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be driven away into darkness.

NASB 1977
Then they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; andthey will be driven away into darkness.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; andthey will be banished into thick darkness.

Amplified Bible
Then they will look to the earth, they will see only distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; andthey will be driven away into darknessand overwhelming night.

Christian Standard Bible
They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness.

American Standard Version
and they shall look unto the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and into thick darkness they shall be driven away.

Contemporary English Version
and on earth, they will find only trouble and darkness, terrible trouble and deepest darkness.

English Revised Version
and they shall look unto the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and into thick darkness they shall be driven away.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They will look at the earth and see only distress and gloom. They will go in anguish and be forced into darkness.

Good News Translation
or stare at the ground, but they will see nothing but trouble and darkness, terrifying darkness into which they are being driven.

International Standard Version
or they'll look toward the earth, but they'll see only distress and darkness, the gloom that comes from anguish, and then they'll be thrown into total darkness."

NET Bible
When one looks out over the land, he sees distress and darkness, gloom and anxiety, darkness and people forced from the land.

New Heart English Bible
and look to the earth, and see distress, darkness, and the gloom of anguish. They will be driven into thick darkness.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they shall look to the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.

World English Bible
then look to the earth and see distress, darkness, and the gloom of anguish. They will be driven into thick darkness.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And it looks attentively to the land, "" And behold, adversity and darkness! Dimness, distress, and thick darkness are driven away, "" But not the dimness for which she is in distress!

Young's Literal Translation
And unto the land it looketh attentively, And lo, adversity and darkness! -- Dimness, distress, and thick darkness is driven away, But not the dimness for which she is in distress!

Smith's Literal Translation
And they shall look to the earth, and behold, straits and darkness and fainting of distress; and to darkness being removed.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they shall look to the earth, and behold trouble and darkness, weakness and distress, and a mist following them, and they cannot fly away from their distress.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he will gaze downward to the earth, and behold: tribulation and darkness, dissolution and distress, and a pursuing gloom. For he will not be able to fly away from its distress.

New American Bible
and will gaze at the earth, But will see only distress and darkness, oppressive gloom, murky, without light.

New Revised Standard Version
or they will look to the earth, but will see only distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be thrust into thick darkness.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And they shall look to the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, tribulation and dimness shall scatter them; but he shall not afflict him who is in distress as in the former time.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall look on the Earth, and the affliction and darkness and adversity and thick darkness, he shall drive it out, because he shall not strike that which he loathed as at the former time

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
or look unto the earth, behold distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish, and outspread thick darkness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and they shall look on the earth below, and behold severe distress, and darkness, affliction, and anguish, and darkness so thatone cannot see;

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Darkness and Light
…21They will roam the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged; and looking upward, they will curse their king and their God.22Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish.And they will be driven into utter darkness.

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Matthew 8:12
But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 22:13
Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 25:30
And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Luke 13:28
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.

Revelation 16:10-11
And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish / and curse the God of heaven for their pains and sores. Yet they did not repent of their deeds.

Revelation 18:23
The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.”

Revelation 22:5
There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

John 12:35
Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

2 Peter 2:17
These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.

Jude 1:13
They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Job 18:5-6
Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow. / The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out.

Job 18:18
He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world.

Job 20:26
Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.

Job 30:26
But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness fell.

Proverbs 4:19
But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Treasury of Scripture

And they shall look to the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

look

Isaiah 5:30
And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and ifone look unto the land, behold darknessand sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.

Isaiah 9:1
Nevertheless the dimnessshall notbe such aswas in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflicther by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

2 Chronicles 15:5,6
And in those timesthere was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexationswere upon all the inhabitants of the countries…

driven to darkness

Job 18:18
He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.

Proverbs 14:32
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Jeremiah 23:12
Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slipperyways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them,even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

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Adversity Anguish Attentively Black Clouds Dark Darkness Dimness Distress Driven Earth Fearful Gloom Night Outspread Thick Thrust Trouble Utter

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Adversity Anguish Attentively Black Clouds Dark Darkness Dimness Distress Driven Earth Fearful Gloom Night Outspread Thick Thrust Trouble Utter

Isaiah 8

1.In Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, he prophesies Syria and Israel shall be subdued by Assyria
5.Judah likewise for their infidelity
9.God's judgments shall be irresistible
11.Comfort shall be to those who fear God
19.Great afflictions to idolaters

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Then they will look to the earth
This phrase indicates a turning away from God to seek solutions or hope in worldly or earthly things. In the context of Isaiah, the people of Judah were often tempted to rely on political alliances or material resources rather than trusting in God. This reflects a broader biblical theme where reliance on human strength or wisdom is contrasted with faith in God (Jeremiah 17:5-6).

and see only distress and darkness
The imagery of distress and darkness symbolizes the consequences of turning away from God. Biblically, darkness often represents judgment, sin, and separation from God (Exodus 10:21-23;John 3:19). In Isaiah's time, this could refer to the impending Assyrian invasion, which would bring great suffering and turmoil to the land.

and the gloom of anguish
This phrase emphasizes the depth of despair and hopelessness that comes from rejecting God's guidance. The "gloom of anguish" suggests a profound emotional and spiritual suffering. This can be seen as a fulfillment of the warnings given by the prophets about the consequences of disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:28-29).

And they will be driven into utter darkness
The final outcome of their choices is described as being "driven into utter darkness," indicating a complete and total separation from God's presence and blessings. This can be seen as a type of spiritual death or exile, similar to the exile experienced by Israel and Judah. In the New Testament, darkness is often associated with the absence of Christ, who is the Light of the World (John 8:12). This phrase foreshadows the ultimate judgment and separation from God for those who reject Him.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Isaiah
The prophet who delivered God's messages to the people of Judah and Jerusalem during a time of political turmoil and spiritual decline.

2.Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, facing threats from surrounding nations and internal spiritual decay.

3.Assyria
The dominant empire during Isaiah's time, posing a significant threat to Judah and often used as an instrument of God's judgment.

4.Darkness and Gloom
Symbolic of the spiritual and moral state of the people who have turned away from God.

5.Anguish
Represents the emotional and physical suffering resulting from separation from God and His guidance.

Teaching Points

Recognizing Spiritual Darkness
Understand that spiritual darkness is a result of turning away from God. It manifests in moral decay, confusion, and despair.

The Consequences of Forsaking God
Acknowledge that distancing oneself from God leads to distress and anguish, as seen in the historical context of Judah.

Hope in the Midst of Darkness
Remember that even in the darkest times, God promises light and redemption through Jesus Christ.

The Call to Repentance
Embrace the opportunity for repentance and turning back to God to escape the gloom of spiritual darkness.

Living as Children of Light
As believers, we are called to reflect Christ's light in a dark world, offering hope and guidance to others.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 8:22?

2.How does Isaiah 8:22 illustrate consequences of turning away from God's guidance?

3.What does "darkness and distress" in Isaiah 8:22 symbolize in our spiritual lives?

4.How can Isaiah 8:22's warning encourage us to seek God's light daily?

5.Compare Isaiah 8:22 with John 8:12 on living in spiritual darkness.

6.How can we help others avoid the "gloom of anguish" described in Isaiah 8:22?

7.What does Isaiah 8:22 reveal about God's judgment on those who reject Him?

8.How does Isaiah 8:22 reflect the consequences of turning away from God?

9.Why does Isaiah 8:22 depict such a bleak outlook for those in darkness?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 8?

11.How could Jesus' sweat become 'as great drops of blood' (Luke 22:44) without medical evidence supporting such an extreme condition?

12.In Matthew 26:36-46, why does Jesus seem conflicted about His fate if He was fully aware of His divine mission and outcome?

13.Why does Psalm 88 present unrelenting despair without any expression of hope, seeming to contradict other passages that emphasize God's deliverance (Psalm 88:1-3)?

14.Why did Jesus endure extensive suffering?

What Does Isaiah 8:22 Mean

Then they will look to the earth

• Isaiah pictures Judah’s people frantically scanning their surroundings for relief.

• Earlier in the chapter (Isaiah 8:19), they had been dabbling in occult counsel; now they search the physical world for answers and safety.

• Cross references: 2 Chron 16:12 shows King Asa looking to physicians, not the Lord;Psalm 121:1–2 reminds believers to lift eyes higher, to the Maker of heaven and earth.

and see only distress and darkness

• Their outlook matches their spiritual state. Refusing God’s light leaves nothing but “distress” (Deuteronomy 28:65–67) and “darkness” (Proverbs 4:19).

• The darkness is literal (impending Assyrian invasion,Isaiah 8:7–8) and moral (John 3:19: “people loved darkness rather than light”).

• Jesus warns the same for the end times—cosmic darkness mirrors human rebellion (Matthew 24:29).

and the gloom of anguish

• “Gloom” deepens the picture: an oppressive, suffocating sorrow (Joel 2:2).

• Anguish follows idolatry and unbelief (Jeremiah 13:16–17). The people experience exactly what they chose: separation from God’s joy.

• Yet,Isaiah 9:1 promises the dawn breaking upon this very gloom, foreshadowing Christ in Galilee.

And they will be driven into utter darkness

• God’s judgment is portrayed as expulsion—“driven.” Like Adam and Eve cast from Eden (Genesis 3:24) and Judah later exiled to Babylon (2 Kings 24:15–16).

• “Utter darkness” suggests finality, paralleling Jesus’ phrase “outer darkness” where there is weeping (Matthew 25:30).

• The severity underscores God’s holiness: persistent rejection ends in total blackout, both nationally and eternally (2 Thessalonians 1:8–9).

summary

Isaiah 8:22 shows the inevitable outcome when God’s people seek guidance and security anywhere but in Him. Looking down to the earth, they find only distress; rejecting His light, they sink into crushing gloom; resisting correction, they are finally driven into complete darkness. Yet the very next verse (Isaiah 9:1) introduces hope in the coming Messiah, proving that God’s ultimate purpose is not doom but redemption for all who turn back to His light.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 22. -They shall look unto the earth. For necessary nutriment, or simply as the place to which downcast and despairing eyes are turned naturally.They shall be driven to darkness. So Kay, who thinks the Captivity is meant; but it seems better to render the whole passage, with Mr. Cheyne, "They shall look to earth, and behold, distress and darkness, gloom of affliction, and thick darkness driven (upon them)." The darkness is spoken of as if it were a thing palpable, like rain or snow (comp.Exodus 10:21).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then they will look
יַבִּ֑יט(yab·bîṭ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5027:To scan, look intently at, to regard

to
וְאֶל־(wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to

the earth
אֶ֖רֶץ(’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, land

and see
וְהִנֵּ֨ה(wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009:Lo! behold!

only distress
צָרָ֤ה(ṣā·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6869:Tightness, a female rival

and darkness
וַחֲשֵׁכָה֙(wa·ḥă·šê·ḵāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2825:Darkness, misery

and the gloom
מְע֣וּף(mə·‘ūp̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4588:Darkness

of anguish.
צוּקָ֔ה(ṣū·qāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6695:Constraint, distress

And they will be driven
מְנֻדָּֽח׃(mə·nud·dāḥ)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5080:To impel, thrust, banish

into utter darkness.
וַאֲפֵלָ֖ה(wa·’ă·p̄ê·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 653:Duskiness, misfortune, concealment

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OT Prophets: Isaiah 8:22 And look to the earth and see (Isa Isi Is)