Isaiah 7:11

11 Ask for thee a sign from Jehovah thy God; ask for it in the deep, or in the height above.

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 and the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye believe not, surely ye shall not be established.
10 And Jehovah spoke again to Ahaz, saying,
11 Ask for thee a sign from Jehovah thy God; ask for it in the deep, or in the height above.
12 And Ahaz said, I will not ask, and will not tempt Jehovah.
13 And he said, Hear then, house of David: Is it a small matter for you to weary men, that ye weary also my God?

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit. 'make deep the request, or soar upward.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.