Isaiah 7:19

Translation
King James Version
And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.
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KJV (with Strong's)
And they shall come H935, and shall rest H5117 all of them in the desolate H1327 valleys H5158, and in the holes H5357 of the rocks H5553, and upon all thorns H5285, and upon all bushes H5097.
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Complete Jewish Bible
They will come and settle, all of them, in steep vadis and holes in the rocks and on all thorn bushes and brambles.
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Berean Standard Bible
And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines and clefts of the rocks, in all the thornbushes and watering holes.
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American Standard Version
And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the clefts of the rocks, and upon all thorn-hedges, and upon all pastures.
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World English Bible Messianic
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.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And they shall come and shall light all in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rockes, and vpon all thorny places, and vpon all bushy places.
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Young's Literal Translation
And they have come, and rested all of them in the desolate valleys, And in holes of the rocks, and on all the thorns, And on all the commendable things.
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See also
Isaiah 2:19Jeremiah 16:16Micah 7:172 Chronicles 33:11Isaiah 2:21
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Isaiah Prophesies the Fall of Israel
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In the KJVVerse 17,802 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

Isaiah 7:19 delivers a stark and vivid prophecy regarding the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the impending Assyrian invasion of Judah. It graphically depicts the foreign forces, summoned by God as instruments of judgment, settling into every conceivable part of the land—from the most desolate and uninhabited valleys to the deepest rock crevices and the most impenetrable thorny thickets. This imagery underscores the complete and pervasive occupation that would befall the nation as a direct consequence of King Ahaz's profound lack of faith and his decision to seek a worldly alliance with Assyria rather than trusting in the Lord.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Isaiah 7:19 is deeply embedded within the "Book of Immanuel" (Isaiah 7-12), a crucial prophetic section addressing the Syro-Ephraimite War. The preceding verses (Isaiah 7:1-17) detail the existential threat Judah faces from a coalition of Syria and Israel. God, through the prophet Isaiah, offers King Ahaz a sign to reassure him of divine protection, but Ahaz, feigning piety, refuses to ask, revealing his underlying distrust and his intention to rely on Assyria. In response to Ahaz's unbelief, God Himself provides the sign of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14-16), a prophecy with both immediate historical and ultimate messianic fulfillment. Verse 18 then declares the Lord's intention to "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," signifying His sovereign summoning of these powerful empires as instruments of His judgment. Verse 19 directly follows, elaborating on the thoroughness of this divinely orchestrated invasion by describing the myriad locations where these summoned forces will settle, thereby illustrating the complete and inescapable occupation of the land.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The historical setting for Isaiah 7:19 is the tumultuous latter half of the 8th century B.C., specifically around 734 B.C. During this period, the Assyrian Empire was the dominant and ruthless superpower of the ancient Near East, renowned for its formidable military campaigns, efficient strategies of conquest, and policy of mass deportation. Judah, under the reign of King Ahaz, was a relatively small kingdom caught precariously between larger, more aggressive powers. Culturally and theologically, the people of Judah, as God's covenant nation, were expected to place their trust solely in Yahweh for protection and deliverance, particularly during times of national crisis. However, Ahaz, much like many of his predecessors and successors, succumbed to the allure of political pragmatism, choosing to forge a military alliance with Assyria (as recorded in 2 Kings 16:7-9) rather than relying on divine providence. This act of profound distrust constituted a significant theological and political failure, directly leading to the very calamitous outcome God had warned against. The vivid imagery of "flies" and "bees" in Isaiah 7:18 metaphorically represents the vast, swarming armies, while the specific locations detailed in verse 19 emphasize the utter lack of any secure refuge within the land.
  • Key Themes: Isaiah 7:19 profoundly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes woven throughout the book of Isaiah. A primary theme is Divine Sovereignty and Judgment. God is unequivocally portrayed as being in absolute control of human history, even utilizing pagan nations like Assyria as His instruments of judgment against His own disobedient people. This powerfully underscores that no nation, ruler, or historical event operates outside of His ultimate authority and overarching plan. Another prominent theme is the Consequences of Unbelief and Disobedience. King Ahaz's willful rejection of God's direct counsel and his deliberate choice to rely on human alliances directly precipitates the described calamity. This vividly illustrates the severe and far-reaching outcomes of prioritizing worldly security and political expediency over faithful dependence on God. Furthermore, the imagery of the invaders occupying every desolate and wild part of the land powerfully emphasizes the theme of Pervasive Desolation and Inescapable Judgment. It conveys that the invasion would be total and all-encompassing, leaving no corner untouched and offering no refuge for the inhabitants. This theme of comprehensive judgment is echoed in numerous other prophetic warnings throughout Scripture, such as those found within Deuteronomy 28 and Jeremiah 4.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • rest (Hebrew, nûwach', H5117): This primitive root signifies "to settle down" or "to establish one's presence." It implies more than a fleeting stop; it conveys a sense of permanent or prolonged occupation. In this context, it powerfully suggests that the invading forces will not merely pass through but will thoroughly establish themselves throughout the land, making themselves at home in every conceivable nook and cranny, indicating a full and settled conquest.
  • desolate (Hebrew, battâh', H1327): This feminine noun derives from an unused root meaning "to break in pieces," leading to the meaning "desolation" or "desolate." It describes the state of the valleys, emphasizing their barren, uninhabited, or ruined condition. The choice of such locations highlights the invaders' ability to occupy even the most undesirable or previously uninhabited areas, further stressing the totality and comprehensiveness of the invasion, leaving no part of the land untouched.
  • thorns (Hebrew, naʻătsûwts', H5285): This word refers to a "brier" or, by implication, a "thicket of thorny bushes." Used in conjunction with "bushes" (H5097, nahălôl'), it points to wild, untamed, and difficult terrain. The invaders' ability to "rest" even in such inhospitable places signifies that no part of the land, however remote, rugged, or naturally protected, would offer any sanctuary or refuge from their pervasive and overwhelming presence.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And they shall come, and shall rest all of them": This opening clause introduces the subject of the prophecy—the invading forces, specifically the Assyrians, whom God had declared He would summon in the preceding verse. The verb "come" denotes their arrival, while "rest" (as analyzed above) implies a thorough and settled occupation rather than a mere fleeting raid. The phrase "all of them" emphatically underscores the complete deployment and pervasive presence of their forces, signaling that no part of the land would be untouched by their advance.
  • "in the desolate valleys": This specifies the first category of locations where the invaders will settle. "Desolate valleys" (Hebrew: battâh nachal) refers to low-lying areas, often dry riverbeds or wadis, characterized by their barren or uninhabited nature. Their occupation of such places suggests a complete sweep of the land, extending beyond strategically significant strongholds to even the most remote and undesirable regions, indicating a total subjugation.
  • "and in the holes of the rocks": This phrase points to natural caves, crevices, or rocky strongholds (Hebrew: nâqîyq_ _çelaʻ). These would typically be perceived as natural hiding places or secure refuges for inhabitants seeking to escape invaders. However, the prophecy explicitly states that even these seemingly impenetrable natural shelters would be overrun, further emphasizing the inescapable and comprehensive nature of the divine judgment.
  • "and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes": This final phrase dramatically extends the scope of occupation to wild, uncultivated, and exceedingly difficult terrain. "Thorns" and "bushes" represent the dense, overgrown, and often impenetrable areas of the wilderness. The invaders' ability to settle in such places signifies that their presence would be so pervasive and overwhelming that literally no corner of the land, no matter how wild, remote, or naturally inhospitable, would be free from their imposing and inescapable presence.

Literary Devices

Isaiah 7:19 masterfully employs several potent Literary Devices to convey its message of impending and pervasive judgment. The most prominent is Imagery, which creates a vivid and unsettling mental picture of the Assyrian forces swarming and settling throughout the entire land. The specific, carefully chosen details—"desolate valleys," "holes of the rocks," "thorns," and "bushes"—are designed to evoke a profound sense of total desolation, inescapable invasion, and utter lack of refuge. This detailed imagery functions as a form of Hyperbole, exaggerating the extent of the occupation to emphasize its absolute comprehensiveness; while not every single thorn bush would literally host an Assyrian soldier, the phrase powerfully conveys that no part of the land would be untouched or safe. The comprehensive listing of diverse locations, from low-lying valleys to high rocky outcrops and dense thorny thickets, also functions as a Merism, where two or more contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a complete whole, indicating that the invaders would occupy everywhere in the land. Furthermore, the verse subtly employs Symbolism, where the "fly" and "bee" of Isaiah 7:18 symbolize the vast, swarming armies of Egypt and Assyria, and their "resting" in these varied, inhospitable locations symbolizes the complete, pervasive, and inescapable nature of the divine judgment, leaving no place for escape or security.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Isaiah 7:19 serves as a profound theological statement regarding God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to righteous justice. It unequivocally demonstrates that even the most powerful empires, like Assyria, are mere instruments in His hands, used to accomplish His divine purposes, whether for blessing or, as in this case, for judgment. The pervasive desolation described is presented as a direct and inevitable consequence of Judah's spiritual apostasy and King Ahaz's profound and deliberate lack of faith, highlighting the severe repercussions that inevitably follow when God's people choose worldly alliances and human strategies over faithful trust in their covenant God. This passage stands as a stark and timeless reminder that God's warnings are never idle threats but are solemn expressions of His righteous character and His covenant faithfulness, and that His people are not exempt from the consequences of their disobedience. It seamlessly connects to the broader biblical theme that God raises up and casts down kingdoms according to His sovereign will, often employing one nation to chastise another, thereby demonstrating His ultimate and unchallenged control over all human history.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Isaiah 7:19 offers a profoundly sobering yet vital lesson for believers today: the paramount importance of cultivating and maintaining unwavering trust in God, especially when confronted with overwhelming challenges or seemingly insurmountable threats. Much like King Ahaz, we are frequently tempted to seek security, comfort, or solutions in worldly resources, human wisdom, political alliances, or our own ingenuity when fear or uncertainty grips our hearts. This verse powerfully illustrates that such reliance, when it ultimately displaces our faith and dependence on God, can lead to devastating and pervasive consequences, leaving us with no true refuge. It serves as a stark reminder that God is sovereign over all circumstances, and His warnings about the outcomes of disobedience are not to be taken lightly. Our choices, particularly those concerning where we place our ultimate trust and hope, have far-reaching effects, impacting not only our personal lives but often the communities and nations to which we belong. Therefore, we are earnestly called to examine our hearts, to discern the true object of our confidence, and to ensure that our ultimate refuge and hope are found in God alone, rather than in fleeting worldly solutions. True peace, security, and spiritual flourishing are ultimately derived from aligning our will with His and faithfully depending on His unfailing power and wisdom.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what specific areas of your life are you most tempted to rely on worldly solutions or human strategies rather than trusting God completely?
  • How does the pervasive nature of the Assyrian invasion depicted in this verse highlight the comprehensive and inescapable reach of consequences for disobedience, both personally and corporately?
  • What concrete, practical steps can you commit to taking this week to cultivate a deeper, more unwavering trust in God when faced with fear, uncertainty, or overwhelming challenges?

FAQ

Who are "they" who shall come and rest in the desolate places?

Answer: "They" refers to the invading forces that God declares He will sovereignly summon in the preceding verse, Isaiah 7:18. Specifically, this points primarily to the formidable Assyrian army, which God metaphorically describes as the "bee that is in the land of Assyria." While Isaiah 7:18 also mentions the "fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt," the dominant threat and the primary instrument of divine judgment against Judah in this historical period was undoubtedly Assyria. The verse profoundly emphasizes that these foreign armies, acting as direct instruments of God's judgment, would thoroughly and inescapably occupy the entire land of Judah.

What is the significance of the specific locations mentioned: "desolate valleys, holes of the rocks, thorns, and bushes"?

Answer: The choice of these particular locations—desolate valleys, rocky crevices, and thorny thickets—is profoundly significant. It powerfully emphasizes the total, comprehensive, and inescapable nature of the impending invasion. These are not typically strategic military strongholds or cultivated areas, but rather wild, remote, and often uninhabitable regions. By stating that the invaders would "rest" in such places, the prophecy conveys that no part of the land, no matter how remote, rugged, or undesirable, would be untouched by their pervasive presence. There would be absolutely no place of refuge, no secure hiding spot, and no possibility of escape for the inhabitants of Judah, underscoring the severity and all-encompassing nature of the divine judgment. This vivid imagery reinforces the dire message that the entire land would be overrun, leading to widespread desolation, a theme consistently found in other prophetic warnings of widespread destruction, such as in Jeremiah 4:26.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Isaiah 7:19 speaks directly to the temporal judgment upon Judah through the Assyrian invasion, its deeper theological currents find profound and glorious Christ-centered fulfillment. The pervasive desolation and inescapable judgment depicted in the verse powerfully foreshadow the ultimate spiritual desolation brought about by sin, which, like the Assyrian forces, leaves no part of humanity untouched and no corner of our being free from its corrupting influence. Just as the Assyrians settled into every crevice and wild place of the land, sin permeates every aspect of human existence, leaving humanity utterly without refuge or hope in itself. However, the very crisis that brings about this judgment in Isaiah's time also gives rise to the foundational prophecy of Immanuel, meaning "God with us." Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, is the ultimate Immanuel, the incarnate Son of God who willingly enters into our desolate, sin-cursed world. He experiences the profoundest desolation on the cross, becoming sin for us and crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), thereby identifying completely with our utter separation from God. Through His substitutionary death and glorious resurrection, Christ decisively conquers the pervasive power of sin and death, offering true rest and an eternal refuge where there was once only spiritual desolation. He is the one who graciously leads His people to the true "rest" that remains for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9)—a rest not found in fleeting earthly hiding places, but in His finished work of redemption. Through Him, the desolate places of our hearts are transformed into gardens of life and peace (Isaiah 51:3). Thus, the terrifying judgment of Isaiah 7:19, while historically significant, ultimately points forward to the greater need for, and the glorious provision of, the Savior who overcomes all desolation and brings eternal life.

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Commentary on Isaiah 7 verses 17–25

After the comfortable promises made to Ahaz as a branch of the house of David, here follow terrible threatenings against him, as a degenerate branch of that house; for though the loving-kindness of God shall not be utterly taken away, for the sake of David and the covenant made with him, yet his iniquity shall be chastened with the rod, and his sin with stripes. Let those that will not mix faith with the promises of God expect to hear the alarms of his threatenings.

I. The judgment threatened is very great, Isa 7:17. It is very great, for it is general; it shall be brought upon the prince himself (high as he is, he shall not be out of the reach of it), and upon the people, the whole body of the nation, and upon the royal family, upon all thy father's house; it shall be a judgment entailed on posterity, and shall go along with the royal blood. It is very great, for it shall be unprecedented - days that have not come; so dark, so gloomy, so melancholy, as never were the like since the revolt of the ten tribes, when Ephraim departed from Judah, which was indeed a sad time to the house of David. Note, The longer men continue in sin the sorer punishments they have reason to expect. It is the Lord that will bring these days upon them, for our times are in his hand, and who can resist or escape the judgments he brings?

II. The enemy that should be employed as the instrument of this judgment is the king of Assyria. Ahaz reposed great confidence in that prince for help against the confederate powers of Israel and Syria, and minded the less what God said to him by his prophet for his encouragement because he built much upon his interest in the king of Assyria, and had meanly promised to be his servant if he would send him some succours; he had also, made him a present of gold and silver, for which he drained the treasures both of church and state, Kg2 16:7, Kg2 16:8. Now God threatens that that king of Assyria whom he made his stay instead of God should become a scourge to him. He was so speedily; for, when he came to him, he distressed him, but strengthened him not (Ch2 28:20), the reed not only broke under him, but ran into his hand, and pierced it, and thenceforward the kings of Assyria were, for a long time, grieving thorns to Judah, and gave them a great deal of trouble. Note, The creature that we make our hope commonly proves our hurt. The king of Assyria, not long after this, made himself master of the ten tribes, carried them captive, and laid their country waste, so as fully to answer the prediction here; and perhaps it may refer to that, as an explication of Isa 7:8, where it is foretold that Ephraim shall be broken, that it shall not be a people; and it is easy to suppose that the prophet (at Isa 7:17) turns his speech to the king of Israel, denouncing God's judgments against him for invading Judah. But the expositors universally understand it of Ahaz and his kingdom. Now observe, 1. Summons given to the invaders (Isa 7:18): The Lord shall whistle for the fly and the bee. See Isa 5:26. Enemies that seem as contemptible as a fly or a bee, and are as easily crushed, shall yet, when God pleases, do his work as effectually as lions and young lions. Though they are as far distant from one another as the rivers of Egypt and the land of Assyria, yet they shall punctually meet to join in this work when God commands their attendance; for, when God has work to do, he will not be at a loss for instruments to do it with. 2. Possession taken by them, Isa 7:19. It should seem as if the country were in no condition to make resistance. They find no difficulties in forcing their way, but come and rest all of them in the desolate valleys, which the inhabitants had deserted upon the first alarm, and left them a cheap and easy prey to the invaders. They shall come and rest in the low grounds like swarms of flies and bees, and shall render themselves impregnable by taking shelter in the holes of the rocks, as bees often do, and showing themselves formidable by appearing openly upon all thorns and all bushes; so generally shall the land be overspread with them. These bees shall knit upon the thorns and bushes, and there rest undisturbed. 3. Great desolations made, and the country generally depopulated (Isa 7:20): The Lord shall shave the hair of the head, and beard, and feet; he shall sweep all away, as the leper, when he was cleansed, shaved off all his hair, Lev 14:8, Lev 14:9. This is done with a razor which is hired, either which God has hired (as if he had none of his own; but what he hires, and whom he employs in any service for him, he will pay for. See Eze 29:18, Eze 29:19), or which Ahaz has hired for his assistance. God will make that to be an instrument of his destruction which he hired into his service. Note, Many are beaten with that arm of flesh which they trusted to rather than to the arm of the Lord, and which they were at a great expense upon, when by faith and prayer they might have found cheap and easy succour in God. 4. The consequences of this general depopulation. (1.) The flocks of cattle shall be all destroyed, so that a man who had herds and flocks in abundance shall be stripped of them all by the enemy, and shall with much ado save for his own use a young cow and two sheep - a poor stock (Isa 7:21), yet he shall think himself happy in having any left. (2.) The few cattle that are left shall have such a large compass of ground to feed in that they shall give abundance of milk, and very good milk, such as shall produce butter enough, Isa 7:22. There shall also be such want of men that the milk of one cow and two sheep shall serve a whole family, which used to keep abundance of servants and consume a great deal, but is now reduced. (3.) The breed of cattle shall be destroyed; so that those who used to eat flesh ( as the Jews commonly did) shall be necessitated to confine themselves to butter and honey, for there shall be no flesh for them; and the country shall be so depopulated that there shall be butter and honey enough for the few that are left in it. (4.) Good land, that used to be let well, shall be all overrun with briers and thorns (Isa 7:23); where there used to be a thousand vines planted, for which the tenants used to pay a thousand shekels, or pieces of silver, yearly rent, there shall be nothing now but briers and thorns, no profit either for landlord or tenant, all being laid waste by the army of the invaders. Note, God can soon turn a fruitful land into barrenness; and it is just with him to turn vines into briers if we, instead of bringing forth grapes to him, bring forth wild grapes, Isa 5:4. (5.) The implements of husbandry shall be turned into instruments of war, Isa 7:24. The whole land having become briers and thorns, the grounds that men used to come to with sickles and pruning-hooks to gather in the fruits they shall now come to with arrows and bows, to hunt for wild beasts in the thickets, or to defend themselves from the robbers that lurk in the bushes, seeking for prey, or to kill the serpents and venomous beasts that are hid there. This denotes a very sad change of the face of that pleasant land. But what melancholy change is there which sin will not make with a people? (6.) Where briers and thorns were wont to be of use and to do good service, even in the hedges, for the defence of the enclosed grounds, they shall be plucked up, and all laid in common. There shall be briers and thorns in abundance where they should not be, but none where they should be, Isa 7:25. The hills that shall be digged with the mattock, for special use, from which the cattle used to be kept off with the fear of briers and thorns, shall now be thrown open, the hedges broken down for the boar out of the wood to waste it, Psa 80:12, Psa 80:13. It shall be left at large for oxen to run in and less cattle. See the effect of sin and the curse; it has made the earth a forest of thorns and thistles, except as it is forced into some order by the constant care and labour of man. And see what folly it is to set our hearts upon possessions of lands, be they every so fruitful, ever so pleasant; if they lie ever so little neglected and uncultivated, or if they be abused by a wasteful careless heir or tenant, or the country be laid waste by war, they will soon become frightful deserts. Heaven is a paradise not subject to such changes.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 17–25. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Isaiah
(Verse 18, 19) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss 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. And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes. In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard. Therefore, you are in vain afraid of present but half-burnt towers, which have no fire within. For you must know that by its hiss the Lord signifies the flies of Egypt and its rivers, with no doubt seven channels of the Nile, which are about to be called forth. And he signifies the bee, which is in the land of Assyria. But he calls the flies of Egypt on account of the filth of idolatry and the weak people. And he calls the bee Assyrians, whose kingdom was most powerful at that time, and were very ready for war. Either because all the region of the Assyrians and Persians used bows, or because they had access to them all the time. Therefore, all will come and occupy your land in the torrents of the valleys, and in the caves of rocks, and in all the fruits, and in the holes, and in the wooded groves. However, these things are said by metaphor, so that because he had mentioned flies and bees once, he would maintain consistency in the translation of the rest. Let us read the books of Kings and Chronicles, and we will find that the holy king Josiah was killed by the Egyptians, and the people of Israel were subjugated to the power of Egypt (2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35): so that he would appoint a king for them. And after not much time, Nebuchadnezzar came with an innumerable multitude of warriors, captured Jerusalem, and destroyed the other cities of Judaea. He burned down the Temple and placed Assyrian inhabitants in Judaea.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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