Isaiah 7
World English Bible
WEB1In 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 Yahweh 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 Yahweh 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.’” 10Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz, saying, 11“Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.” 12But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask. I won’t tempt Yahweh.” 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. 17Yahweh 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 Yahweh 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.”
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
Isaiah Chapter 7 presents a pivotal moment in the history of Judah during the reign of King Ahaz. The chapter begins with the alarming news that King #Rezin of Aram and King #Pekah of Israel have formed an alliance and are marching against Jerusalem. This news causes great fear among the people of Judah, and God sends the prophet Isaiah to reassure King Ahaz. Isaiah encourages Ahaz not to fear these two kings, stating that their plans will not succeed. He emphasizes that their power is like a smoldering wick, destined to be extinguished, and reminds Ahaz that God is in control of the situation. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over nations and His commitment to His people, even in times of distress.
The chapter continues with a significant prophecy concerning the coming Messiah. God instructs Isaiah to tell Ahaz to ask for a sign, but Ahaz refuses, feigning piety. In response, Isaiah declares that God Himself will give a sign: a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and he will be called #Immanuel, meaning 'God with us.' This prophecy not only reassures Ahaz of God's presence but also foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ, as referenced in the New Testament (Matthew 1:23). The chapter concludes with a warning of impending judgment on Judah due to their lack of faith, yet it also holds the promise of hope through the coming of Immanuel, reminding us of God's enduring faithfulness and the hope of salvation.
Referenced by
- 2 Kings 16:7v1Ahaz seeks help from Assyria in 2 Kings 16:7, while Isaiah 7:1-9 records the prophet Isaiah's message to Ahaz, urging him to trust in God rather than foreign powers.
- 2 Chronicles 28:5v1The defeat of Ahaz by the king of Aram and the king of Israel is also mentioned in Isaiah 7:1, providing a prophetic context to the political turmoil.
- Ezekiel 5:1v20Ezekiel 5:1 describes the symbolic act of shaving the head and beard, which is a sign of humiliation and judgment. Isaiah 7:20 also uses the imagery of shaving as a metaphor for judgment against the people.
- Matthew 1:21v14Matthew 1:21 speaks of Jesus saving His people from their sins, which is connected to Isaiah 7:14's prophecy of a virgin bearing a son named Immanuel, meaning 'God with us,' indicating divine intervention for salvation.
- Luke 1:35v14Luke 1:35 explains the virgin birth of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 about a virgin conceiving and bearing a son called Immanuel.
- Luke 2:7v14Luke 2:7 describes the birth of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 about a virgin giving birth to Immanuel, meaning 'God with us.'
Topics in this chapter
- Immanuel
- Prophecy
- Faith
- God with Us
- Messiah
- Messianic Prophecy
- Incarnation
- Sovereignty of God
- Trusting God
- Ahaz
- Divine Assurance
- Divine Intervention
- Faith Over Fear
- Faithfulness
- God's Plan
- God's Promises
- Isaiah
- Judah
- Kings of Judah
- Prophet
- Syria
- Trust
- Virgin Birth
- Advent
- Alliance
- Annunciation
- Arameans
- Assyrian Invasion
- Christmas
- Christmas Carols
- City of David
- Courage
- Damascus
- Davidic Covenant
- Deliverance
- Divine Presence
- Divine Protection
- Emmanuel
- Enemy
- Ephraim
- Fear
- Genesis 1
- God's Guidance
- History in the Bible
- Holy Living
- Hope
- Hope in Christ
- Integrity
- Israel
- Jerusalem
- Judgment
- Literary Influence of the Bible
- Nativity Art
- Northern Kingdom of Israel
- Obedience
- Pekah
- Political Turmoil in the Bible
- Prophecy Fulfilled
- Prophetic Names
- Prophetic Signs
- Protection
- Provision
- Remnant
- Restoration
- Rezin
- Shiloah
- Signs
- Syro-Ephraimite War
- Temple
- Tribal Influence in the Bible
Related chapters
- Matthew 1Virgin BirthChristmas CarolsEmmanuel
- Isaiah 8ShiloahAhazImmanuel
- 2 Kings 16AhazDamascusSyria
- 2 Chronicles 28Syro-Ephraimite WarAhazPekah
- Luke 1AnnunciationVirgin BirthChristmas
- Isaiah 9ImmanuelGod with UsChristmas
- Isaiah 17RezinPekahDamascus
- Luke 2Christmas CarolsSyriaChristmas
- 2 Kings 15PekahNorthern Kingdom of IsraelDavidic Covenant
- Isaiah 10Remnant
- Isaiah 28SignsEphraimIsaiah
- Psalms 46EmmanuelGod with UsDivine Assurance
Your study
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