Isaiah 7 Study Notes

7:13 The use of my God in this verse instead of “your God,” as in v. 11, shows that Ahaz’s lack of faith was a turning point in his life. Isaiah’s reference to him as house of David shows also that it would impact the Davidic dynasty, spelling its decline.

7:14 The context indicates that the preliminary fulfillment of this sign must have taken place within a few years of its utterance—the time between a child’s conception and his knowing right from wrong (vv. 15-16), traditionally at age twelve. The Hebrew word translated virgin means “young woman of marriageable age” and often has the implication of virginity. Thus many scholars feel that the referent is a woman whom Isaiah would marry and, if so, then the birth is mentioned in 8:1-4. This may be the immediate fulfillment of this sign. But its ultimate and more exalted fulfillment is noted in Mt 1:23 as it cites the more specific Greek word found in the Septuagint, parthenos, which means “virgin.” Immanuel means “God With Us.”

’Aman, related to ’emet (truth) and ’emunah (faithfulness), might reflect one or two roots. Participles denote nannies (2Sm 4:4), guardians (2Kg 10:1; Is 49:23). The passive participle is reared (Lm 4:5). The passive-reflexive indicates being carried (Is 60:4). Perhaps as another root, passive-reflexives mean endure (2Sm 7:16) and be faithful (Nm 12:7), reliable (Ps 93:5), or confirmed (Gn 42:20). Promises come true (2Ch 1:9). Participles imply faithful, trustworthy (Is 8:2), trusted, assured (Is 33:16), certain (Hs 5:9), confirmed (1Sm 3:20), or firm (Is 22:25). They connote chronic, lasting (Dt 28:59), and enduring (Ps 89:28). Causative verbs signify believe (Gn 15:6), trust (Nm 14:11), rely (Mc 7:5), have confidence (Jr 12:6) or assurance (Jb 24:22), and be certain (Ps 27:13).

7:15 The first phrase could also be translated, “In order to learn,” meaning that hardship will motivate the child to turn to God. The significance of eating curds and honey is that the devastation of the land’s agriculture (vv. 23-24) will be such that other foods will not be available.

7:16 The Aramean kingdom of Rezin was destroyed in 732 BC. Tiglath-pileser reduced the size of the northern kingdom of Pekah in 733 BC, and the king was assassinated and replaced by Hoshea. Even so, the northern kingdom was totally defeated in 722 BC, about thirteen years after the Immanuel prophecy.

7:17 It was not just Syria and the northern kingdom that would experience Assyrian devastation. Judah would also experience God’s punishment. As later events showed, paying Tiglath-pileser to take care of Ahaz’s northern problem was not the smartest strategy. From that point on Ahaz paid a heavy tribute as Assyria’s vassal (2Kg 16:10-18).

7:18-19 The flies (Egypt) and the bees (Assyria) will infest (occupy) the land.

7:20 The razor is Tiglath-pileser, who will ravage the land of Judah.