Isaiah 7:11

11 “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

Isaiah 7:11 in Other Translations

KJV
11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
ESV
11 "Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven."
NLT
11 “Ask the LORD your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead. ”
MSG
11 "Ask for a sign from your God. Ask anything. Be extravagant. Ask for the moon!"
CSB
11 "Ask for a sign from the Lord your God-from the depths of Sheol to the heights of heaven."

Isaiah 7:11 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 7:11

Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God
For though Ahaz was a wicked man, yet the Lord was his God, as he was the God of the people of Israel in general, as a nation; and knowing his unbelief and diffidence of his word unto him, offers to confirm it by a sign or miracle: ask it either in the depth, or in the height above,
in earth, or in heaven: so the Targum,

``ask that a miracle may be done for thee upon earth, or that a sign may be shown thee in heaven;''
either that the earth might gape and open its mouth, as in the days of Moses; or that the sun might stand still, as in the times of Joshua; or that a dead man might be raised out of the depth of the earth; or that there might be some strange appearances in the heavens.

Isaiah 7:11 In-Context

9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’ ”
10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz,
11 “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”
12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.”
13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Exodus 7:9; S Deuteronomy 13:2
  • 2. Psalms 139:8
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