Isaiah 7:2

And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.

And it was told {H5046} the house {H1004} of David {H1732}, saying {H559}, Syria {H758} is confederate {H5117} with Ephraim {H669}. And his heart {H3824} was moved {H5128}, and the heart {H3824} of his people {H5971}, as the trees {H6086} of the wood {H3293} are moved {H5128} with {H6440} the wind {H7307}.

It was told to the house of David that Aram and Efrayim had become allies. Achaz's heart began to tremble, as did the hearts of his people, like forest trees shaken by the wind.

When it was reported to the house of David that Aram was in league with Ephraim, the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind.

And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind.

Isaiah 7:2 vividly portrays the moment King Ahaz of Judah and his people received alarming news: the northern kingdom of Israel (referred to as Ephraim) had formed a military alliance with Syria (Aram). This alliance posed a significant threat to Judah, plunging the nation into profound fear and instability.

Context

This verse is set during the tumultuous period of the Syro-Ephraimite War (circa 735-732 BC). King Ahaz, ruling over the southern kingdom of Judah, was confronted by a formidable coalition led by King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel. Their objective was to invade Judah, depose Ahaz, and install a puppet ruler who would join their anti-Assyrian coalition. The news of this confederacy struck deep terror into the heart of the "house of David," representing the royal line and, by extension, the entire nation of Judah.

Key Themes

  • Profound Fear and Panic: The imagery of "trees of the wood... moved with the wind" powerfully illustrates the overwhelming dread and instability that gripped King Ahaz and the people. It speaks to a loss of composure and a deep sense of vulnerability in the face of an imminent threat.
  • Lack of Trust in God: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the fear described here sets the stage for Ahaz's subsequent lack of faith and his decision to seek help from Assyria rather than relying on God's promised protection. This contrasts sharply with God's message through Isaiah to "be quiet; do not fear".
  • God's Sovereignty Amidst Crisis: Despite the human panic, the broader narrative of Isaiah 7 emphasizes God's ultimate control over the nations and His plan for Judah, culminating in the prophecy of Immanuel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind" uses the Hebrew verb nu'a (נוּעַ), which means "to shake," "to tremble," or "to waver." This vivid simile emphasizes the involuntary and uncontrollable nature of their fear, much like trees are helpless against a strong gale. It highlights their complete lack of steadfastness and inner peace.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of how easily fear can paralyze us when we face overwhelming circumstances. Whether it's a personal crisis, national unrest, or global uncertainty, the natural human response can be panic and anxiety. However, the subsequent chapters of Isaiah 7 reveal God's immediate response to this fear: a call to trust Him. For believers, this passage underscores the importance of finding our stability and peace in God, even when the world around us seems to be "moved with the wind." It encourages us to turn to divine assurance rather than succumbing to despair, remembering that God is sovereign over all circumstances.

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.

  • Isaiah 8:12

    Say ye not, A confederacy, to all [them to] whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

  • Isaiah 7:13

    And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; [Is it] a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

  • Proverbs 28:1

    ¶ The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

  • Isaiah 9:9

    And all the people shall know, [even] Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,

  • Isaiah 37:27

    Therefore their inhabitants [were] of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were [as] the grass of the field, and [as] the green herb, [as] the grass on the housetops, and [as corn] blasted before it be grown up.

  • 1 Kings 13:2

    And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.

  • Isaiah 6:13

    But yet in it [shall be] a tenth, and [it] shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance [is] in them, when they cast [their leaves: so] the holy seed [shall be] the substance thereof.

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