ScriptureDepth's study of Isaiah 7
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14
Yahweh speaks to Ahaz through Isaiah, declaring that a 'virgin' will conceive and bear a son named 'Immanuel', which assures Judah of God's presence amid fear.
What Isaiah 7 is about
Ahaz, king of Judah, hears that Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah, son of Remaliah, king of Israel, march against Jerusalem (vv. 1-2). His heart trembles with fear, so Yahweh instructs Isaiah to meet him and say, ‘Be careful, and keep calm. Don’t be afraid’ (vv. 3-4). Isaiah assures Ahaz that the plots against him will fail, stating that within sixty-five years Ephraim will be broken (vv. 5-9). Yahweh encourages Ahaz to ask for a sign, but Ahaz refuses to tempt Yahweh (vv. 10-12). Yahweh responds by declaring a sign: a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel (vv. 13-14). The child will eat butter and honey until he can discern good from evil, and before he does, the lands of the two kings will be forsaken (vv. 15-16). Yahweh warns of future judgment and desolation, describing a time when the land will become unproductive (vv. 17-25).
The virgin will conceive and bear a son, named Immanuel, signifying God's presence with His people.
Isaiah 7 at a glance
- Isaiah 7:1–4Ahaz's Fear of Enemies
- Isaiah 7:5–9God's Assurance Through Isaiah
- Isaiah 7:10–14The Sign of Immanuel
- Isaiah 7:15–25Judgment and Future Desolation
Key verse: Isaiah 7:14
One thing to notice
In verses 14 and 16, the sign of Immanuel includes the child eating 'butter and honey' while the lands of opposing kings will be 'forsaken.' This describes a future situation regarding the condition of the land and people.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Isaiah 7 (WEB)
Ahaz's Fear of Enemies Isaiah 7:1–4
1Verse 1. In 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. 2Verse 2. David’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. 3Verse 3. Then 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.
4Verse 4. Tell 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.
God's Assurance Through Isaiah Isaiah 7:5–9
5Verse 5. Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying, 6Verse 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.” 7Verse 7. This is what the Lord Yahweh says: “It shall not stand, neither shall it happen.” 8Verse 8. For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within sixty-five years Ephraim shall be broken in pieces, so that it shall not be a people; 9Verse 9. and the 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 Isaiah 7:10–14
10Verse 10. Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz, saying, 11Verse 11. “Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.” 12Verse 12. But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh.” 13Verse 13. He 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? 14Verse 14. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Judgment and Future Desolation Isaiah 7:15–25
15Verse 15. He shall eat butter and honey when he knows to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16Verse 16. For before the child knows to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings you abhor shall be forsaken. 17Verse 17. Yahweh 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. 18Verse 18. It 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.
19Verse 19. They shall come, and shall all rest in the desolate valleys, in the clefts of the rocks, on all thorn hedges, and on all pastures. 20Verse 20. In 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. 21Verse 21. It shall happen in that day that a man shall keep alive a young cow, and two sheep; 22Verse 22. and it 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.
23Verse 23. It will happen in that day that every place where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silver shekels, shall be for briers and thorns. 24Verse 24. People will go there with arrows and with bow, because all the land will be briers and thorns. 25Verse 25. All 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 the treading of sheep.”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Isaiah 7
Trust in God
In this chapter, trust in God emerges prominently when Yahweh instructs Ahaz to be 'careful, and keep calm' in v. 4. Despite the threats from Rezin and Pekah, God assures Ahaz that their plans will not succeed. The encouragement to trust in God's promises and not be afraid is central to the communication between Isaiah and the king, transitioning into the assurance that belief is necessary for stability in v. 9.
Prophecy of Immanuel
The prophecy concerning Immanuel is presented in verse 14 when Yahweh states that a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel. This moment connects God's assurance to Ahaz with the immediate promise of divine intervention. The prophecy indicates that before the child matures, the threats from the kings will cease, establishing a link between the present and future hopes for Judah.
Divine Protection
Divine protection is assured when God declares in verse 7 that the plans of Syria and Ephraim will not succeed. This promise directly addresses Ahaz's fears and assures him that Judah will be safeguarded from its adversaries. The chapter further describes impending judgments against those who threaten Judah, affirming God's commitment to protect His people from harm.
Fear and Faith
Fear and faith are contrasted in this chapter, particularly through Ahaz's initial terror in v. 2, where 'his heart trembled.' God, through Isaiah, calls out Ahaz's fear, urging him not to let his heart be faint. This tension culminates in v. 9, where the necessity of belief is highlighted, stating, 'If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established,' indicating that faith is essential for overcoming fear.
Chapter outline
How Isaiah 7 unfolds
Isaiah 7:1–4 Ahaz's Fear of Enemies
Ahaz learns of the military threat from Rezin and Pekah, and he becomes fearful for Judah's safety, prompting Yahweh to instruct Isaiah to reassure him (vv. 1-4).
Isaiah 7:5–9 God's Assurance Through Isaiah
Isaiah delivers God’s message that the alliance against Judah will fail, declaring that the plans of Rezin and Pekah will come to nothing unless Ahaz believes (vv. 5-9).
Isaiah 7:10–14 The Sign of Immanuel
Yahweh tells Ahaz to 'Ask a sign of Yahweh your God,' but Ahaz refuses. Yahweh then declares that a 'virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel'.
Isaiah 7:15–25 Judgment and Future Desolation
The child will eat 'butter and honey' until he knows good from evil, while the land of the two kings will be forsaken. Yahweh announces coming desolation and judgment through Assyria, leading to a wild and unproductive land.
Key verses
Isaiah 7:14Yahweh speaks to Ahaz through Isaiah, declaring that a 'virgin' will conceive and bear a son named 'Immanuel', which assures Judah of God's presence amid fear.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Isaiah 7
- observeIn v1, who are the two kings allied against Jerusalem?
- observeWhat does God instruct Isaiah to tell Ahaz in v4?
- interpretAhaz's refusal to ask for a sign in v12: what might this indicate about his faith?
- interpretThe term 'Immanuel' in v14: how does this name connect to the overall prophecy?
- applyWhen has fear caused you to hesitate in seeking guidance, like Ahaz in v12?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Isaiah 7
- Matthew 1Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23Both name Immanuel: Isaiah 7:14 says, 'call his name Immanuel,' while Matthew 1:23 says, 'they shall call his name Immanuel.'
- John 1Isaiah 7:14 and John 1:1Both describe the Word: Isaiah 7:14 refers to a child named Immanuel, while John 1:1 states, 'the Word was with God.'
- Isaiah 9Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6Both name a child: Isaiah 7:14 speaks of a son named Immanuel, while Isaiah 9:6 mentions a son given to us.
- Isaiah 8Isaiah 7:5 and Isaiah 8:10Both mention plots: Isaiah 7:5 refers to plotted evil, while Isaiah 8:10 states, 'it will be brought to nothing.'
- Psalm 33Isaiah 7:5 and Psalm 33:10Both address counsel: Isaiah 7:5 refers to plotted evil, while Psalm 33:10 states, 'Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nothing.'
- Luke 1Isaiah 7:14 and Luke 1:31Both name a son: Isaiah 7:14 mentions the child Immanuel, while Luke 1:31 speaks of a son named Jesus.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Isaiah 7
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Isaiah: the whole bookIsaiah son of Amoz prophesied in Jerusalem across roughly forty years and four kings — Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 210Day 210 of 365: Isaiah 6–8.
- SalvationWhat the Bible says about salvation, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
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