Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

ISAIAH 8:6KJV
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Isaiah 8:6 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 8:6 mean?

Isaiah 8:6 says that the people have rejected the gentle, dependable help God offered them and instead have chosen to trust in foreign leaders, specifically Rezin and the son of Remaliah. The verse uses the image of calm waters to show how the people turned away from God’s quiet protection and preferred alliances with human rulers.

Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah during a time of political crisis. Instead of relying on God’s steady support (pictured as the “waters of Shiloah that go softly”), the people are putting their hope in political alliances, especially with Rezin (king of Aram/Syria) and Pekah (the son of Remaliah, king of Israel). This verse sets up a warning that trusting in unstable human power instead of God’s quiet faithfulness will lead to trouble.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 8:6

  • שִׁלֹחַ (Shiloah, transliterated shiloach): This refers to a gentle stream in Jerusalem, likely the Siloam pool, symbolizing God’s quiet and sustaining presence. The image contrasts God’s way with the noisy, forceful ways of human politics.
  • מָאַס (ma'as, “refuseth”): This word means to reject or despise, showing that the people’s turning away from God is not accidental but a deliberate choice.
  • מֵי (mei, “waters”): The use of “waters” here is symbolic, representing God’s provision and peace, which the people undervalue because it seems unimpressive compared to political power.
  • רְצִין (Rezin) and רְמַלְיָהוּ (Remaliah’s son): Naming these foreign leaders emphasizes the people’s misplaced trust in alliances rather than in God.

Why Isaiah 8:6 matters

  • Isaiah 8:6 clarifies that God’s help often comes quietly and gently, not always in dramatic or obvious ways, and people may overlook it because it seems ordinary.
  • The verse highlights a key theme in Isaiah: trusting in God versus relying on political solutions or human strength, which is a recurring struggle for Judah.
  • Understanding the symbolism of the “waters of Shiloah” helps make sense of the contrast Isaiah draws between God’s way and the world’s way, which is important for following the argument in the surrounding chapters.

Where else these words appear

“Shiloah” Hebrew H7975 · used in 2 verses

  • Nehemiah 3:15 But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

“softly” Hebrew H328 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 33:14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
  • 2 Samuel 18:5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
  • Job 15:11 Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?

“Rezin” Hebrew H7526 · used in 11 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:37 In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
  • 2 Kings 16:9 And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
  • Isaiah 7:1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

“Remaliah's” Hebrew H7425 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
  • 2 Kings 15:37 In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
  • Isaiah 7:1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.