Isaiah 8:18

Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Cross-references

Isaiah 8:3 Historical context

Isaiah 8:3 introduces Maher-shalal-hash-baz, one of the sons Isaiah refers to as 'the children' given as signs.

Isaiah 7:3 Historical context

Isaiah 7:3 introduces Shear-jashub, another son who is part of the 'children' Isaiah presents as signs.

Isaiah 20:3 Parallel

Isaiah 20:3 describes Isaiah himself as a sign and portent, reinforcing that Isaiah and his children are signs from God.

Psalm 71:7 Parallel

Psalm 71:7 uses the same Hebrew 'mopheth' (sign/wonder) — both describe a person as a divine sign.

Zechariah 3:8 uses the same 'mopheth' for Joshua and his friends as a symbolic sign — echoing Isaiah's children as signs of God's presence.

Hebrews 2:13 directly quotes this verse, applying it to Jesus and believers as the children given by God.

Hebrews 12:22 identifies Mount Zion as the heavenly Jerusalem, a typological fulfillment of the earthly Zion where God dwells.

Ezekiel 24:24 explicitly states that Ezekiel is a sign to Israel, just as Isaiah declares that he and his children are signs.

Deuteronomy 28:46 uses the same 'sign and wonder' phrase for covenant curses, contrasting with Isaiah's children as positive signs.

In Genesis 33:5, Jacob calls his children 'whom God has graciously given,' matching Isaiah's declaration of children as gifts.

Genesis 48:9 has Joseph saying his sons are given by God, the same formula as Isaiah's 'children whom the LORD has given me.'

Ezekiel 14:8 also uses 'sign' for a person, but as a negative judgment sign — contrasting with Isaiah's positive sign of deliverance.

Luke 2:34 Parallel

Luke 2:34 calls Jesus a 'sign that is opposed' — thematically linked to Isaiah's children as signs appointed by God.

Psalm 127:3 Parallel

Psalm 127:3 affirms that children are a gift from God, echoing the same truth Isaiah declares about his children being given by the LORD.

1 Corinthians 4:9-13 describes apostles as a public spectacle — paralleling Isaiah and his children as visible signs.