Isaiah 7:5

Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,

Because Syria {H758}, Ephraim {H669}, and the son {H1121} of Remaliah {H7425}, have taken evil {H7451} counsel {H3289} against thee, saying {H559},

or because Aram, Efrayim and the son of Remalyah have been plotting against you, thinking,

For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted your ruin, saying:

Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have purposed evil against thee, saying,

Commentary

Context of Isaiah 7:5

Isaiah 7:5 is set during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, specifically the Syro-Ephraimite War (c. 734-732 BC). King Ahaz of Judah is facing a formidable alliance: Syria (Aram), led by King Rezin, and Ephraim, representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel, led by King Pekah, who is referred to here as "the son of Remaliah." This verse directly states the malicious intent of this confederacy against Judah. The preceding verses (e.g., Isaiah 7:1-2) describe the immense fear that gripped Jerusalem upon hearing of this impending invasion. Their "evil counsel" was a calculated plan to depose Ahaz and install a puppet king, the son of Tabeal (Isaiah 7:6), thereby forcing Judah into their anti-Assyrian coalition.

Key Themes in Isaiah 7:5

  • Conspiracy and Malicious Intent: The verse highlights the formation of an "evil counsel," a deliberate and hostile plot by powerful regional entities. This counsel was not merely strategic but driven by an intent to overthrow and subjugate Judah.
  • Threat to Judah's Sovereignty: It underscores the immediate and grave danger faced by the Southern Kingdom. The combined might of Syria and Israel posed a significant military threat, aiming to dismantle Judah's independence and the Davidic line.
  • Divine Awareness of Human Schemes: While the counsel is evil from a human perspective, the very fact that God reveals it through Isaiah demonstrates His complete awareness and ultimate control over all human schemes. This sets the stage for God's prophetic declaration that these plans will ultimately fail (Isaiah 7:7).

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "evil counsel" translates from the Hebrew `ืขึตืฆึธื” ืจึธืขึธื”` ('etzah ra'ah). `ืขึตืฆึธื”` ('etzah) means "counsel" or "plan," and `ืจึธืขึธื”` (ra'ah) means "evil," "bad," or "malicious." It emphasizes that the plan was not just militarily aggressive but morally corrupt and hostile, intended to cause severe harm and disruption to God's chosen people and the lineage of David.

Significance and Application

Isaiah 7:5 serves as a crucial setup for the divine assurance that follows. It paints a clear picture of the human threat, making God's subsequent promise of protection and the sign of Immanuel all the more profound. This verse offers timeless insights for believers:

  • God's Sovereignty Over Human Plots: This verse reminds us that even the most formidable and well-laid human conspiracies are known to God and ultimately subject to His will. As Psalm 33:10-11 declares, "The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations."
  • Trust in Times of Threat: For believers, this passage offers comfort. When faced with opposition, conspiracies, or overwhelming odds, the historical account of Judah's predicament and God's response encourages reliance on divine power rather than succumbing to fear or human strategies. God is aware of the "evil counsel" directed against His people and purposes, and He remains sovereign.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 83:3

    They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

  • Psalms 83:4

    They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from [being] a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

  • Zechariah 1:15

    And I am very sore displeased with the heathen [that are] at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

  • Psalms 2:2

    The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying],

  • Nahum 1:11

    There is [one] come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.
โ† Back