7:16 7:16

Isaiah 7:17

7:18 7:18

Bible Versions

¶ The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; [even] the king of Assyria.
The LORD {H3068} shall bring {H935} upon thee, and upon thy people {H5971}, and upon thy father's {H1} house {H1004}, days {H3117} that have not come {H935}, from the day {H3117} that Ephraim {H669} departed {H5493} from Judah {H3063}; even the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}.
ADONAI will bring the king of Ashur on you, your people and your father's house. These will be days worse than any you've known since Efrayim broke loose from Y'hudah." Or: "the virgin." See Introduction, Section XIV, footnote 69.
The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since the day Ephraim separated from Judah—He will bring the king of Assyria.”
Jehovah will bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—even the king of Assyria.

Isaiah 7:17 delivers a stark warning from the Lord through the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz of Judah. This verse prophesies a coming judgment of unprecedented severity, brought about by the very power Ahaz sought to rely upon instead of God: the formidable Assyrian empire. It underscores the profound consequences of a lack of faith and reliance on human schemes over divine providence.

Context

This verse is situated during the critical period of the Syro-Ephraimitic War (circa 734-732 BC), when King Ahaz of Judah faced a daunting threat from a coalition of Aram (Syria) and the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), who sought to depose him. God, through Isaiah, offered Ahaz a sign to bolster his faith, promising deliverance (see Isaiah 7:11). However, Ahaz, feigning piety, refused to ask for a sign, indicating his underlying distrust and his intention to seek help from Assyria instead. This verse reveals the tragic irony and ultimate futility of Ahaz's decision: the very "king of Assyria" he planned to ally with would become the instrument of God's judgment upon Judah. The phrase "from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah" refers to the historical division of the kingdom after Solomon's reign (1 Kings 12:19), highlighting that the coming distress would be worse than any Judah had experienced since that foundational schism.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse vividly portrays God's active involvement in history, bringing severe judgment upon a disobedient people and their king. Ahaz's unbelief and political maneuvering had dire consequences, demonstrating that God's warnings are not to be taken lightly.
  • The Instrument of Judgment: The "king of Assyria" is explicitly named as the agent of this coming disaster. This shows God's sovereignty, using even powerful, pagan nations as tools to accomplish His purposes, whether in judgment or blessing.
  • Unprecedented Calamity: The phrase "days that have not come" emphasizes the unparalleled nature of the coming suffering. It would be a time of distress greater than any since the kingdom of Israel split, marking a new low for Judah.
  • Sovereignty of God: Despite Ahaz's choices, God remains in control, orchestrating events to bring about His will. The Lord is not merely reacting but actively "shall bring" these events to pass.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's "The LORD shall bring" uses the Hebrew term Yahweh (often translated as LORD in all caps), emphasizing God's personal, covenantal name and His active, sovereign role in history. The severity of the coming judgment is underscored by "days that have not come," suggesting a unique and devastating period that surpasses all previous national calamities endured by Judah, including the significant historical marker of the kingdom's division.

Practical Application

Isaiah 7:17 serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of misplaced trust. When faced with challenges, it's tempting to rely on human wisdom, political alliances, or our own strength rather than seeking God's guidance and trusting in His deliverance. Ahaz's story illustrates that such reliance often leads to greater trouble than the original problem. The verse encourages believers today to:

  • Trust in God Alone: In times of crisis, our primary reliance should be on God's power and faithfulness, not on human solutions or worldly systems.
  • Take God's Warnings Seriously: Disregarding divine warnings can lead to severe, unforeseen consequences.
  • Understand God's Sovereignty: Even when circumstances are dire, God remains in control, working His purposes through various means, sometimes even through seemingly negative events, to bring about His ultimate will.
Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 10:5

    ¶ O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

  • Isaiah 10:6

    I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

  • Isaiah 8:7

    Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

  • Isaiah 8:8

    And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

  • 2 Chronicles 10:16

    And when all Israel [saw] that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and [we have] none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: [and] now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.

  • 2 Chronicles 10:19

    And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:11

    ¶ Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
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