Isaiah 8:22

The last words of the previous verse should be taken along with this one: and he shall look upward and shall look to the earth: and behold, &c. Whether he look to heaven or earth, no ray of hope shall appear (cf. ch. Isaiah 5:30).

trouble and darkness Render with R.V. distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. The word here translated "gloom" is slightly different in form from that in Isaiah 9:1, and does not occur again.

andthey shall … darkness Probably: and he shall be chased into thick darkness. A somewhat similar phrase in Jeremiah 23:12. Others render: "and darkness shall be driven (upon him)"; others: "but (the) darkness shall be dispelled."