Isaiah 7:21

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;

And it shall come to pass in that day {H3117}, that a man {H376} shall nourish {H2421} a young {H1241} cow {H5697}, and two {H8147} sheep {H6629};

When that day comes, a man will raise a young cow and two sheep.

On that day a man will raise a young cow and two sheep,

And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall keep alive a young cow, and two sheep;

Commentary

Isaiah 7:21 describes a scene of profound economic hardship and desolation that would befall the land of Judah, following the immediate crisis with Syria and Israel. This verse is part of a larger prophetic message given by God through the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz during the Syro-Ephraimitic War (around 735-734 BC).

Context

In Isaiah chapter 7, King Ahaz of Judah was in a state of panic because Aram (Syria) and Ephraim (the Northern Kingdom of Israel) had formed an alliance and were threatening Jerusalem. God sent Isaiah to reassure Ahaz, promising that these two nations would not succeed in overthrowing Judah. As a sign, God offered Ahaz to ask for any sign, but Ahaz refused to "test the Lord." It was then that the famous Immanuel prophecy was given. However, despite the immediate relief from the Syro-Ephraimitic threat, Isaiah also prophesied a period of intense desolation and judgment upon the land due to the people's and Ahaz's lack of faith and their eventual reliance on Assyria rather than God.

Key Themes

  • Economic Devastation: The verse paints a picture of a severely depopulated and economically ruined land. The phrase "a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep" speaks not of prosperity, but of a minimal, subsistence-level existence. It suggests that livestock will be so scarce that even a few animals represent a significant possession, and the land will be largely uncultivated.
  • Judgment and Consequences: This economic hardship is a direct consequence of the nation's spiritual apostasy and Ahaz's refusal to trust God. The land, once flowing with milk and honey, would become overgrown with thorns and briars, forcing a primitive lifestyle.
  • Reversal of Fortune: What was once a land of agricultural abundance would be reduced to a wilderness, where survival depended on the few animals one could keep and wild produce like butter and honey (mentioned in parallel verses).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "nourish" (Χ™Φ°Χ—Φ·Χ™ΦΌΦΆΧ”, y'chayyeh) implies a basic act of keeping alive, not necessarily thriving or growing a large herd. It underscores the stark reality of survival rather than abundance. The small number of animals mentioned β€” a young cow and two sheep β€” highlights the extreme scarcity of resources and the dramatic reduction in the population and agricultural activity.

Practical Application

Isaiah 7:21 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and relying on human strength or alliances rather than divine provision. It illustrates that even when God delivers from an immediate threat, there can be long-term repercussions for unfaithfulness. For believers today, it underscores the importance of:

  • Trusting God: Relying on God's promises and provision, even in times of fear and uncertainty, rather than seeking worldly solutions.
  • Understanding Consequences: Recognizing that spiritual choices have tangible consequences, both individually and corporately.
  • God's Sovereignty: Acknowledging that God has ultimate control over nations and their fortunes, even using hardship to bring about repentance or fulfill His purposes, as seen in the broader context of the land's desolation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 39:10

    But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

  • Isaiah 5:17

    Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

  • Isaiah 17:2

    The cities of Aroer [are] forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.

  • Isaiah 37:30

    And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat [this] year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

  • Isaiah 7:25

    And [on] all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.
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