Ahaz receives divine protection and prophetic reassurance here, contrasting sharply with his typical biblical portrayal as an idolatrous king facing God's judgment.
Isaiah 7
The Syro-Ephraimite Crisis
1In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
2David’s house was told, “Syria is allied with Ephraim.” His heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind.
3Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you, and Shearjashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway of the fuller’s field.
4Tell him, ‘Be careful, and keep calm. Don’t be afraid, neither let your heart be faint because of these two tails of smoking torches, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
5Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying,
6“Let’s go up against Judah, and tear it apart, and let’s divide it among ourselves, and set up a king within it, even the son of Tabeel.”
7This is what the Lord GOD says: “It shall not stand, neither shall it happen.”
8For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim shall be broken in pieces, so that it shall not be a people.
9The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.’”
The Sign of Immanuel
10The LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying,
11“Ask a sign of the LORD your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.”
12But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask. I won’t tempt the LORD.”
13He said, “Listen now, house of David. Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also?
14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
15He shall eat butter and honey when he knows to refuse the evil and choose the good.
16For before the child knows to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you abhor shall be forsaken.
17The LORD will bring on you, on your people, and on your father’s house days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah, even the king of Assyria.
18It will happen in that day that the LORD will whistle for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
19They shall come, and shall all rest in the desolate valleys, in the clefts of the rocks, on all thorn hedges, and on all pastures.
20In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired in the parts beyond the River, even with the king of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the beard.
21It shall happen in that day that a man shall keep alive a young cow, and two sheep.
22It shall happen, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter, for everyone will eat butter and honey that is left within the land.
23It will happen in that day that every place where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver shekels, will be for briers and thorns.
24People will go there with arrows and with bow, because all the land will be briers and thorns.
25All the hills that were cultivated with the hoe, you shall not come there for fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending out of oxen, and for sheep to tread on.”
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Theme
During the Syro-Ephraimite crisis, when Syria and Israel allied against Judah, God sends Isaiah to reassure King Ahaz that these enemies will not succeed. When Ahaz refuses to ask for a confirming sign, Isaiah declares that God will give one anyway: a virgin will conceive and bear a son called Immanuel. While this prophecy offers hope of divine presence, it also warns of coming judgment through Assyrian invasion that will devastate the land.
Context
This chapter introduces the first major messianic prophecy in Isaiah, following the temple vision and call narrative, and sets up themes of trust versus political alliances that continue throughout the book.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 The Crisis Emerges Syria and Israel form an alliance against Judah, causing King Ahaz and his people to tremble with fear.
- 3-9 Isaiah's Message of Assurance God sends Isaiah to tell Ahaz not to fear these 'smoking torches' as their plot will fail and both kingdoms will be destroyed.
- 10-12 The Refused Sign God offers Ahaz any sign he wants for confirmation, but the king refuses under the pretense of not testing God.
- 13-16 The Immanuel Prophecy Isaiah announces that God will give a sign anyway: a virgin will bear a son named Immanuel, and before the child matures, the threatening kings will be gone.
- 17-25 Warning of Assyrian Devastation Despite deliverance from immediate threats, God will bring the king of Assyria to devastate the land as judgment.
The Syro-Ephraimite Crisis
7:1–7:9 prophecy speech hopeful
During the Syro-Ephraimite crisis, God sends Isaiah to reassure King Ahaz that the alliance against Judah will fail. The passage emphasizes trusting in God's sovereignty rather than fearing human enemies.
person_contrast
Ahaz receives divine protection and prophetic reassurance here, contrasting sharply with his typical biblical portrayal as an idolatrous king facing God's judgment.
The Sign of Immanuel
7:10–7:25 prophecy speech solemn
God offers Ahaz a sign, but when refused, gives the sign of Immanuel - a virgin-born child. The passage combines messianic promise with warnings of coming judgment through Assyrian invasion.
quotation_chain
Isaiah's "Immanuel" prophecy uniquely blends immediate historical crisis with distant messianic hope, as the Hebrew "almah" (young woman) becomes Matthew's "parthenos" (virgin) through prophetic reinterpretation.
Insights
Isaiah's "Immanuel" prophecy uniquely blends immediate historical crisis with distant messianic hope, as the Hebrew "almah" (young woman) becomes Matthew's "parthenos" (virgin) through prophetic reinterpretation.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Isaiah 7:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 16:5 Lexical
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war. They besieged Ahaz,…
2 Kings 15:32 Lexical
In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah began to reign.
2 Kings 15:30 Lexical
Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, attacked him, killed him, and reigned in his…
2 Kings 16:1 Lexical
In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.
2 Kings 15:37 Lexical
In those days, the LORD began to send Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah against Judah.
Isaiah 7:3 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Kings 18:17 Lexical
The king of Assyria sent Tartan, Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah with a great army to Jerusalem. T…
Isaiah 36:2 Lexical
The king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a large army. He stood by the aqueduc…
Judges 20:31 Lexical
The children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to strike and ki…
2 Kings 20:20 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made the pool, and the conduit, and brought water in…
Isaiah 7:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 15:37 Lexical
In those days, the LORD began to send Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah against Judah.
2 Kings 16:5 Lexical
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war. They besieged Ahaz,…
Deuteronomy 20:3 Lexical
and shall tell them, “Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies. Don’t let your heart faint! Don’…
Jeremiah 51:46 Lexical
Don’t let your heart faint. Don’t fear for the news that will be heard in the land. For news will come one year, and aft…
Isaiah 8:6 Lexical
“Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son;
Isaiah 7:8 1 reference
Isaiah 7:14 1 reference
Isaiah 7:19 2 references
Isaiah 7:20 4 references
Lexicals 4
Leviticus 14:9 Lexical
It shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows. He shall s…
Ezekiel 5:1 Lexical
“You, son of man, take a sharp sword. You shall take it as a barber’s razor to yourself, and shall cause it to pass over…
Isaiah 8:7 Lexical
now therefore, behold, the Lord brings upon them the mighty flood waters of the River: the king of Assyria and all his g…
Numbers 6:5 Lexical
“‘All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall come on his head, until the days are fulfilled in which he separa…
Isaiah 7:22 1 reference
Isaiah 7:23 3 references
Lexicals 3
Isaiah 27:4 Lexical
Wrath is not in me, but if I should find briers and thorns, I would do battle! I would march on them and I would burn th…
Isaiah 5:6 Lexical
I will lay it a wasteland. It won’t be pruned or hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. I will also command the cloud…
Isaiah 10:17 Lexical
The light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his bri…
Isaiah 7:24 3 references
Lexicals 3
Isaiah 27:4 Lexical
Wrath is not in me, but if I should find briers and thorns, I would do battle! I would march on them and I would burn th…
Isaiah 10:17 Lexical
The light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his bri…
Isaiah 5:6 Lexical
I will lay it a wasteland. It won’t be pruned or hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. I will also command the cloud…
Isaiah 7:25 3 references
Lexicals 3
Isaiah 5:6 Lexical
I will lay it a wasteland. It won’t be pruned or hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. I will also command the cloud…
Isaiah 27:4 Lexical
Wrath is not in me, but if I should find briers and thorns, I would do battle! I would march on them and I would burn th…
Isaiah 10:17 Lexical
The light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his bri…
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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