Isaiah 7:1

¶ And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, [that] Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

And it came to pass in the days {H3117} of Ahaz {H271} the son {H1121} of Jotham {H3147}, the son {H1121} of Uzziah {H5818}, king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, that Rezin {H7526} the king {H4428} of Syria {H758}, and Pekah {H6492} the son {H1121} of Remaliah {H7425}, king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, went up {H5927} toward Jerusalem {H3389} to war {H4421} against it, but could {H3201} not prevail {H3898} against it.

During the days of Achaz the son of Yotam, the son of 'Uziyahu, king of Y'hudah, Retzin the king of Aram and Pekach the son of Remalyah, king of Isra'el, advanced on Yerushalayim to attack it but were unable to conquer it.

Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city.

And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that 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.

Context of Isaiah 7:1

Isaiah 7:1 sets the historical stage for one of the most significant prophetic encounters in the book of Isaiah. It introduces the geopolitical crisis known as the Syro-Ephraimitic War. This verse places the events during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, specifically when Judah was under threat from a powerful alliance. Ahaz, a descendant of the house of David, faced an invasion by Rezin, king of Aram (Syria), and Pekah, king of Israel (the Northern Kingdom, also called Ephraim).

These two kings formed an alliance against Assyria, a rising superpower, and sought to force Judah to join their coalition. When Ahaz refused, they marched on Jerusalem with the intent to depose him and install a puppet king. The verse highlights that despite their aggression, they "could not prevail against it," setting the stage for God's intervention and the prophetic message Isaiah is about to deliver to Ahaz.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Protection of Jerusalem: The immediate outcome in this verse—that the invading kings "could not prevail against it"—underscores God's protective hand over Jerusalem and the Davidic line, even when the king himself is unfaithful. This initial failure of the enemy forces foreshadows the larger theme of God's sovereignty.
  • Historical Prelude to Prophecy: This verse is foundational for understanding the prophecies that follow, particularly the sign of Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14. The fear and political maneuvering of Ahaz in response to this threat become the backdrop against which Isaiah delivers messages of faith and divine assurance.
  • Human Weakness vs. God's Strength: The conflict highlights the precarious position of Judah under a faithless king like Ahaz, contrasted with the ultimate inability of human powers (Rezin and Pekah) to thwart God's plans for His people and His city.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "could not prevail against it" (Hebrew: לֹא יָכֹל לְהִלָּחֵם עָלֶיהָ, lo yakhol lehilakhem aleyha) is significant. It literally means "they were not able to fight against it" or "they were not able to make war against it." This emphasizes not just a temporary setback, but an inherent inability to conquer Jerusalem at that time, implying a divine hand in its defense. The KJV's "prevail" captures the essence of their ultimate failure to achieve their objective.

Practical Application

Isaiah 7:1 reminds us that even in times of intense political or personal crisis, and even when leaders may be wavering in their faith, God remains sovereign. The initial failure of the enemies to conquer Jerusalem serves as an early sign of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when His people are disobedient. It encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate control over circumstances, rather than succumbing to fear or relying solely on human strategies. Just as Jerusalem was protected, so too can God's people find refuge and strength in Him amidst life's battles.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Kings 15:37

    In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.

  • 2 Kings 16:1

    ¶ In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.

  • Isaiah 8:6

    Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

  • Isaiah 7:4

    And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

  • Isaiah 7:9

    And the head of Ephraim [is] Samaria, and the head of Samaria [is] Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

  • Isaiah 8:9

    ¶ Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

  • Isaiah 8:10

    Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.

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