Isaiah 7:22

KJV

And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk [that] they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall come to pass, for the abundance {H7230} of milk {H2461} that they shall give {H6213} he shall eat {H398} butter {H2529}: for butter {H2529} and honey {H1706} shall every one eat {H398} that is left {H3498} in {H7130} the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Will they produce in abundance? No, he will [have to] eat curdled milk. Indeed, everyone left in the land will eat curdled milk and [wild] honey.

Berean Standard Bible

and from the abundance of milk they give, he will eat curds; for all who remain in the land will eat curds and honey.

American Standard Version

and it shall come to pass, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the midst of the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 7:22 paints a stark picture of the aftermath of divine judgment on Judah, specifically following the Syro-Ephraimite War and the subsequent Assyrian invasion. Far from depicting prosperity, the verse describes a return to a primitive, pastoral economy where the few survivors of the devastation subsist on readily available dairy products and wild honey. This imagery underscores the severe desolation of the land, the decimation of its population, and yet, God's basic provision for the faithful remnant amidst profound hardship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the "Immanuel prophecy" of [Isaiah 7](/isaiah/7 "Isaiah 7 - The Immanuel Prophecy"), a pivotal chapter addressing King Ahaz of Judah during the Syro-Ephraimite War (c. 735 BC). Ahaz, facing a formidable alliance between Aram (Syria) and Israel (Ephraim), was urged by God through Isaiah to trust in divine protection rather than human alliances. While God promised that these immediate threats would not succeed (e.g., [Isaiah 7:7](/isaiah/7-7 "Isaiah 7:7 - The Plans of Syria and Ephraim Will Fail")), the prophecy then pivoted to a more severe, future judgment involving the Assyrian empire. Verses [Isaiah 7:17-21](/isaiah/7-17 "Isaiah 7:17-21 - The Coming Assyrian Invasion") describe the Lord bringing the king of Assyria to devastate the land, turning cultivated fields into wild pastures overgrown with thorns and briers. Isaiah 7:22 directly follows this description of desolation, illustrating the subsistence living of the few who remain in a land stripped of its agricultural capacity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Judah in the 8th century BC, a period of significant geopolitical upheaval. The rising power of Assyria under Tiglath-Pileser III posed an existential threat to the smaller nations of the Levant. The Syro-Ephraimite War saw Syria and Israel attempting to coerce Judah into an anti-Assyrian coalition. King Ahaz's decision to appeal to Assyria for help, rather than trusting Yahweh, set the stage for Judah's later subjugation and the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies of judgment. In ancient Israel, a thriving economy was based on agriculture (grain, wine, oil) and livestock. A diet of "butter and honey" alone signifies a radical shift from a settled, agrarian society to a nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoral existence, indicative of extreme societal collapse and the destruction of cultivated fields.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 7:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating the severe consequences of national disobedience and a lack of faith in God, as seen in Ahaz's actions. The desolation described is a direct result of God's hand in bringing the Assyrians. Secondly, it highlights the crucial concept of the **Remnant**, a recurring motif in Isaiah. The phrase "every one eat that is left in the land" (or "that remains") underscores that only a small portion of the population will survive the purifying judgment, a concept further developed in passages like [Isaiah 10:21-22](/isaiah/10-21 "Isaiah 10:21-22 - The Remnant Will Return"). Thirdly, the verse subtly touches upon **God's Provision Amidst Hardship**. Even in the midst of severe judgment and desolation, God ensures the basic sustenance of those who remain, albeit in a reduced and primitive form. This echoes God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they face the consequences of their actions, as seen in the wilderness wanderings (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:3-4](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3-4 - God's Provision in the Wilderness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **abundance (Hebrew, _rôb'_):** From H7230, this word signifies "abundance (in any respect)," "greatness," or "multitude." In Isaiah 7:22, the "abundance of milk" is ironic. It does not speak of prosperity in a thriving agricultural society but rather the result of depopulation and the reversion of cultivated land to pasture, allowing livestock to graze freely and produce a surplus of dairy products without human intervention in farming.
* **butter (Hebrew, _chemʼâh'_):** From H2529, this term refers to "curdled milk or cheese," or "butter." It points to the rich, processed forms of dairy. Its presence alongside honey indicates a diet derived solely from animal products and wild foraging, contrasting sharply with a balanced diet that would include grains from cultivated land.
* **left (Hebrew, _yâthar'_):** From H3498, this primitive root means "to remain or be left," "to preserve," or "to excel." Here, it specifically refers to "that is left in the land," emphasizing the concept of a remnant—a small group of survivors who have endured the devastating judgment. This word is crucial for understanding the theological implications of the verse regarding God's preservation of a portion of His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give":** This opening clause sets the stage for the paradoxical situation. The "abundance of milk" is not a sign of a flourishing economy but a consequence of the land's desolation. With fields uncultivated and human population drastically reduced, livestock (implied by "they shall give") would roam freely and produce milk in surplus, as there are fewer people to consume it or manage the land for other purposes.
* **"he shall eat butter":** This refers to the individual survivor. The surplus milk is processed into butter (or curdled milk/cheese), indicating a reliance on basic, easily preserved dairy products. This highlights a shift from a diverse, agrarian diet to a simple, pastoral one, necessitated by the collapse of conventional food production.
* **"for butter and honey shall every one eat":** This phrase reiterates the limited nature of the diet. "Butter and honey" represent the primary, if not sole, sources of sustenance. Honey, likely gathered from wild bees, further emphasizes the return to foraging and a primitive existence, as cultivated crops are no longer available.
* **"that is left in the land":** This final clause is profoundly significant. It explicitly identifies the consumers of this basic diet as the "remnant"—those who have survived the devastating judgment. It underscores the severity of the population decline and reinforces the theme of God's judgment, which sifts and preserves only a portion of the people.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 7:22 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the "abundance of milk" typically signifies prosperity, but here it ironically points to desolation. The land is so depopulated and agricultural activity so ceased that livestock graze freely, leading to a surplus of dairy products not because of human thriving but because of human absence. **Symbolism** is also at play, with "butter and honey" symbolizing a primitive, subsistence diet—a stark contrast to the expected staples of an agrarian society (grain, wine, oil). This diet symbolizes a return to a pre-agricultural state, signifying the complete disruption of Judah's established way of life. The phrase "that is left in the land" is a clear instance of the **Remnant Motif**, a recurring theological concept in Isaiah, highlighting God's selective preservation amidst widespread judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 7:22 powerfully encapsulates God's sovereign control over history and His unwavering commitment to justice, even when it involves severe judgment. The verse demonstrates that divine judgment, while devastating, is not without purpose; it purifies and preserves a remnant. This remnant, though reduced to a basic existence, is sustained by God's provision, illustrating His faithfulness even in the direst circumstances. The shift from a cultivated, settled life to a pastoral, subsistence one underscores the profound consequences of national disobedience and a failure to trust in Yahweh alone. Ultimately, this passage reminds us that true security and sustenance come from God, not from human endeavors or alliances, and that His purposes, both in judgment and preservation, will prevail.

* [Amos 9:8-9](/amos/9-8 "The Sifting of Israel")
* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Man Lives by Every Word of God")
* [Joel 2:2-3](/joel/2-2 "The Day of the Lord's Desolation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 7:22 serves as a sobering reminder that God's judgments are real and have tangible consequences, even for His covenant people. It challenges us to examine our own lives and societies: are we trusting in our own strength, resources, or worldly alliances, or are we placing our full reliance on God? The verse also offers a profound message of hope and God's enduring faithfulness. Even in the midst of desolation and the stripping away of comforts, God provides for the basic needs of His people. This calls us to cultivate spiritual discernment, recognizing that what appears to be "abundance" (like the milk) might, in context, signify loss, and that true provision often comes in unexpected and humble forms. Our ultimate security is not in material prosperity but in God's sustaining hand, which preserves a remnant through all trials. This passage encourages a deeper dependence on God, reminding us that He is our ultimate source of life and sustenance, whether in times of plenty or scarcity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on worldly "alliances" or resources instead of trusting fully in God's provision and guidance?**
* **How do I discern God's hand and purpose in difficult circumstances, especially when they involve loss or a stripping away of familiar comforts?**
* **What does "subsistence living" look like in a spiritual sense for me, and how can I find contentment and gratitude in God's basic provision?**
* **How does the concept of a "remnant" encourage or challenge my understanding of God's faithfulness to His people through history?**

### FAQ
**Is the "abundance of milk" in Isaiah 7:22 a blessing or a curse?**

Answer: In its immediate context, the "abundance of milk" is not a blessing of prosperity but a stark indicator of desolation and judgment. While milk itself is a nourishing food, its abundance here is a result of the land being depopulated and uncultivated. With fewer people and no farming, livestock would graze freely on the overgrown fields, leading to a surplus of dairy products. This signifies a forced return to a primitive, pastoral economy for the few survivors, rather than a thriving agricultural society. It underscores the severity of the Assyrian invasion and the resulting societal collapse, as detailed in [Isaiah 7:17-21](/isaiah/7-17 "The Desolation of the Land").

**Who are "they" and "he" in the first part of the verse, "for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter"?**

Answer: "They" refers to the livestock—cows, sheep, or goats—that would roam freely and produce milk. The land, once cultivated, would revert to pasture, allowing these animals to multiply and yield an "abundance of milk." "He" refers to the individual survivor, one of "every one that is left in the land." It emphasizes that each person who remains will subsist on this basic diet. This highlights the widespread nature of the devastation, where only a remnant survives, and their diet is reduced to the most fundamental elements available from an unmanaged, wild landscape.

**How does Isaiah 7:22 relate to Isaiah 7:15, where Immanuel is also said to eat "butter and honey"?**

Answer: Both [Isaiah 7:15](/isaiah/7-15 "Immanuel's Diet") and Isaiah 7:22 mention "butter and honey," but their contexts and implications differ. In [Isaiah 7:15](/isaiah/7-15 "Immanuel's Diet"), the diet of "butter and honey" for Immanuel (God with us) signifies a simple, humble upbringing in a land that is yet to experience the full force of judgment. It may symbolize a period of discernment and growth before the land is fully devastated, or perhaps the humble beginnings of the promised deliverer. In Isaiah 7:22, however, the same diet signifies the consequence of judgment—a forced return to subsistence living for the remnant after widespread destruction. While the diet is the same, its meaning shifts from a sign of humble beginnings to a symbol of survival amidst desolation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 7:22, with its grim depiction of judgment and the preservation of a remnant subsisting on butter and honey, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal diet, but in the spiritual realities of God's ultimate plan of salvation. The judgment foretold in Isaiah points to the pervasive nature of sin and its consequences, which ultimately required a perfect sacrifice. Jesus Christ, the true Immanuel, whose birth is prophesied just a few verses earlier in [Isaiah 7:14](/isaiah/7-14 "The Sign of Immanuel"), embodies God's presence and provision amidst a world devastated by sin. While the physical land faced desolation, Christ came to redeem humanity from spiritual desolation. He is the ultimate "provision" for the "remnant" – not a physical remnant left in a land, but a spiritual remnant, the church, gathered from every tribe and nation by faith in Him (cf. [Romans 9:27](/romans/9-27 "The Remnant of Israel") and [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "A Great Multitude from Every Nation")). He declared Himself the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), offering true and lasting sustenance that goes beyond mere physical food. The "butter and honey" of subsistence living in Isaiah 7:22 foreshadows the simple, yet profoundly nourishing, spiritual sustenance found in Christ alone, who sustains His people through all trials and brings them into His eternal kingdom, a land of true abundance and peace (cf. [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus Gives Abundant Life")).

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 7:15

Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

Matthew 3:4

And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

2 Samuel 17:29

And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that [were] with him, to eat: for they said, The people [is] hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.