Isaiah 7:19

KJV

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 7:19 vividly portrays the comprehensive and devastating nature of the impending Assyrian invasion of Judah, serving as a stark consequence of King Ahaz's refusal to trust in the Lord and his decision to seek an alliance with Assyria instead. The verse describes the invaders settling into every conceivable part of the land—from desolate valleys to rocky crevices and thorny thickets—underscoring the inescapable and pervasive judgment that would befall the nation, leaving no corner untouched by the foreign presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 7:19 is situated within a pivotal section of Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 7-12) known as the "Book of Immanuel." The immediate preceding verses (Isaiah 7:1-17) introduce the Syro-Ephraimite War, where King Ahaz of Judah faces a formidable threat from King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel. God, through Isaiah, offers Ahaz a sign to reassure him that Judah will not fall, but Ahaz, feigning piety, refuses to ask for one, indicating his lack of faith and his hidden intention to rely on Assyria. In response, God gives the sign of [Immanuel](/isaiah/7-14 "Isaiah 7:14 - The Prophecy of Immanuel") (Isaiah 7:14-16), which has both immediate and ultimate fulfillment. Verse 18 declares that the Lord 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," signifying God's summoning of these powerful empires as instruments of judgment. Verse 19 then expands on the thoroughness of this impending invasion, describing where these summoned forces will settle, illustrating the complete occupation of the land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the late 8th century B.C., specifically around 734 B.C. The Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, known for its brutal military campaigns and effective strategies of conquest and deportation. Judah, under King Ahaz, was a small kingdom caught between larger powers. Culturally, the people of Judah were expected to trust in Yahweh, their covenant God, for protection and deliverance, especially in times of national crisis. However, Ahaz, like many kings before and after him, succumbed to the temptation of realpolitik, seeking a military alliance with Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-9) rather than relying on divine providence. This act of distrust was a profound theological and political failure, leading to the very outcome God warned against. The imagery of flies and bees (Isaiah 7:18) likely refers to the vast, swarming armies, while the specific locations in verse 19 highlight the complete lack of refuge anywhere in the land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Isaiah. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**. God is depicted as being in absolute control of history, using even pagan nations like Assyria as His instruments of judgment against His own disobedient people. This underscores that no nation or ruler is outside His ultimate authority. Another prominent theme is the **Consequences of Unbelief and Disobedience**. Ahaz's rejection of God's counsel and his reliance on human alliances directly precipitates the described calamity, illustrating the severe outcomes of choosing worldly security over faithful dependence on God. The imagery of the invaders occupying every desolate and wild part of the land also emphasizes the theme of **Pervasive Desolation and Inescapable Judgment**, suggesting that the invasion would be total and all-encompassing, leaving no place untouched and no refuge for the inhabitants, a theme echoed in other prophetic warnings of judgment, such as those found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rest (Hebrew, _nûwach'_):** From H5117, this primitive root means "to settle down," "to abide," or "to establish their presence." It implies more than a temporary pause; it suggests a permanent or prolonged occupation. In this context, it conveys the idea that the invaders will not merely pass through but will establish themselves thoroughly throughout the land, making themselves at home in every nook and cranny.
* **desolate (Hebrew, _battâh'_):** From H1327, this feminine noun derives from a root meaning "to break in pieces," signifying "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 of the invasion.
* **thorns (Hebrew, _naʻătsûwts'_):** From H5285, this word refers to a "brier" or, by implication, a "thicket of thorny bushes." Together 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 or naturally protected, would offer refuge from their pervasive presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall come, and shall rest all of them":** This clause introduces the subject of the prophecy—the invading forces (Assyrians, summoned by God in the preceding verse). The verb "come" indicates their arrival, while "rest" (as analyzed above) implies a thorough and settled occupation rather than a fleeting raid. "All of them" emphasizes the complete deployment of their forces, leaving no part of the land untouched.
* **"in the desolate valleys":** This specifies the first type of location where the invaders will settle. "Desolate valleys" (Hebrew: `battâh nachal`) refers to low-lying areas, often dry riverbeds or wadis, that are barren or uninhabited. Their occupation of such places suggests a complete sweep of the land, extending beyond strategic strongholds to even the most remote and undesirable regions.
* **"and in the holes of the rocks":** This phrase points to natural caves, crevices, or rocky strongholds (Hebrew: `nâqîyq çelaʻ`). These would typically be places where inhabitants might seek refuge from invaders. However, the prophecy indicates that even these natural hiding places would be overrun, further emphasizing the inescapable nature of the judgment.
* **"and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes":** This final phrase extends the scope of occupation to wild, uncultivated, and 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 that literally no corner of the land, no matter how wild or remote, would be free from their presence.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 7:19 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message of impending judgment. The most prominent is **Imagery**, which creates a vivid mental picture of the Assyrian forces swarming and settling throughout the land. The specific details—"desolate valleys," "holes of the rocks," "thorns," and "bushes"—are carefully chosen to evoke a sense of total desolation and inescapable invasion. This detailed imagery functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the occupation to emphasize its comprehensiveness; while not every single thorn bush would literally host an Assyrian soldier, the phrase conveys that no part of the land would be safe. The listing of diverse locations, from valleys to rocky outcrops and thorny thickets, also functions as a **Merism**, where two or more contrasting parts are used to represent a whole, indicating that the invaders would occupy *everywhere* in the land. Furthermore, the verse uses **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 locations symbolizes the complete and pervasive nature of the divine judgment, leaving no refuge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 7:19 is a profound testament to God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. It underscores that even the most powerful empires are mere instruments in His hands, used to accomplish His divine purposes, whether for blessing or judgment. The pervasive desolation described is a direct consequence of Judah's spiritual apostasy and King Ahaz's profound lack of faith, highlighting the severe repercussions of choosing worldly alliances over trust in the covenant God. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God's warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His righteous character, and His people are not exempt from the consequences of disobedience. It connects to the broader biblical theme that God raises up and casts down kingdoms according to His will, often using one nation to chastise another, demonstrating His ultimate control over human history.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-52](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-52 - Prophecy of Invasion and Siege")
* [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant")
* [Habakkuk 1:6-7](/habakkuk/1-6 "Habakkuk 1:6-7 - The Chaldeans as God's Instrument")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 7:19 offers a sobering but vital lesson for believers today: the profound importance of unwavering trust in God, especially when faced with overwhelming challenges. Like King Ahaz, we are often tempted to seek security in worldly resources, human wisdom, or political alliances when confronted with fear or uncertainty. This verse powerfully illustrates that such reliance, when it displaces faith in God, can lead to devastating and pervasive consequences. It reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, and His warnings about the outcomes of disobedience are serious. Our choices, particularly those concerning where we place our ultimate trust, have far-reaching effects, not just personally but often communally. Therefore, we are called to examine our hearts and ensure that our ultimate refuge and hope are found in God alone, not in fleeting worldly solutions, recognizing that true peace and security come from aligning our will with His.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on worldly solutions rather than trusting God completely?**
* **How does the pervasive nature of the Assyrian invasion in this verse highlight the comprehensive reach of consequences for disobedience?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate deeper trust in God when faced with fear or uncertainty?**

### 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 summon in the preceding verse, Isaiah 7:18. Specifically, this points to the Assyrian army, which God describes as the "bee that is in the land of Assyria." While [Isaiah 7:18](/isaiah/7-18 "Isaiah 7:18 - The Summoning of Egypt and Assyria") also mentions the "fly... of Egypt," the primary threat and instrument of judgment against Judah in this period was Assyria. The verse emphasizes that these foreign armies, acting as instruments of divine judgment, would thoroughly occupy the 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 locations—desolate valleys, rocky crevices, and thorny thickets—is highly significant. It emphasizes the **total and inescapable nature** of the impending invasion. These are not typically strategic military points but rather wild, remote, and often uninhabitable areas. 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 presence. There would be no place of refuge or escape for the inhabitants of Judah, underscoring the severity and comprehensiveness of the divine judgment. This imagery reinforces the idea that the entire land would be overrun, leaving widespread desolation, as also seen in other prophetic warnings of widespread destruction, such as [Jeremiah 4:26](/jeremiah/4-26 "Jeremiah 4:26 - Land Becomes Desolate").

### 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 Christ-centered fulfillment. The pervasive desolation and inescapable judgment foreshadow the ultimate spiritual desolation brought by sin, which leaves no part of humanity untouched. Just as the Assyrians settled into every crevice of the land, sin permeates every aspect of human existence, leaving humanity without refuge. However, the very crisis that brings about this judgment in Isaiah's time also gives rise to the prophecy of [Immanuel](/isaiah/7-14 "Isaiah 7:14 - The Prophecy of Immanuel"), "God with us." Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, is the ultimate Immanuel, who enters into our desolate, sin-cursed world. He experiences the ultimate desolation on the cross, becoming sin for us and crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" (Matthew 27:46), identifying with our utter separation from God. Through His death and resurrection, Christ conquers the pervasive power of sin and death, offering true rest and refuge where there was once only desolation. He is the one who leads His people to the true "rest" (Hebrews 4:9-11) not found in earthly hiding places, but in His finished work, transforming the desolate places of our hearts into gardens of life and peace (Isaiah 51:3). Thus, the judgment of Isaiah 7:19, while terrifying, ultimately points to the greater need for, and the glorious provision of, the Savior who overcomes all desolation.

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.

Cross-References

Isaiah 2:19

And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Jeremiah 16:16

Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

Micah 7:17

They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.

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.

Isaiah 2:21

To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.