Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Isaiah 7:11

Next

Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

Ask {H7592} thee a sign {H226} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}; ask {H7592} it either in the depth {H6009}, or in the height {H1361} above {H4605}.

"Ask ADONAI your God to give you a sign. Ask it anywhere, from the depths of Sh'ol to the heights above."

“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.”

Ask thee a sign of Jehovah thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

Commentary

Isaiah 7:11 presents a pivotal moment in the history of Judah, where God, through the prophet Isaiah, offers King Ahaz a direct invitation to ask for a sign to confirm His divine promise and protection.

Context

This verse is set during a time of intense political and military crisis for the Kingdom of Judah, approximately 734 BC. King Ahaz was facing a formidable alliance between Aram (Syria) and Israel (Ephraim), known as the Syro-Ephraimite War. Their aim was to depose Ahaz and install a puppet king. Ahaz and his people were "moved, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind" (Isaiah 7:2). Despite their fear, God, in His mercy, sends Isaiah to assure Ahaz that the invasion will fail and Jerusalem will not fall. To solidify this assurance and encourage faith, God makes an extraordinary offer: "Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above."

Key Themes

  • Divine Invitation and Assurance: God proactively extends an offer of proof, demonstrating His willingness to meet Ahaz's doubts with undeniable evidence of His power and faithfulness. This is a direct invitation to experience God's miraculous intervention.
  • Boundless Scope of God's Power: The phrase "in the depth, or in the height above" emphasizes that God is capable of performing a sign of any magnitude, from the underworld (depth) to the heavens (height). It underscores His sovereignty over all creation and His ability to act in ways beyond human comprehension.
  • Faith vs. Unbelief: This invitation serves as a test of Ahaz's faith. While it appears to be a generous offer, Ahaz's subsequent refusal, under the pretext of not wanting to "tempt the LORD" (Isaiah 7:12), reveals his underlying unbelief and his preference to rely on political alliances (with Assyria) rather than divine protection. This contrasts with figures like Gideon, who humbly sought confirmation from God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "sign" is 'oth (אוֹת). It signifies a distinguishing mark, a token, or a miraculous proof that serves to confirm a message or promise from God. In this context, the 'oth would have been a tangible demonstration of God's power and a seal of His covenant faithfulness to Judah, designed to strengthen Ahaz's trust.

Significance and Application

Although Ahaz refused the sign, God, in His sovereign will, still provided one: the famous Immanuel prophecy in Isaiah 7:14. This highlights that God's plans do not depend on human faith, but He often invites us to participate in seeing His power. For us today, Isaiah 7:11 reminds us:

  • God is eager to demonstrate His faithfulness to those who trust Him.
  • While we don't always receive specific miraculous signs, God's Word is our ultimate assurance.
  • We are called to exercise faith, even when circumstances are daunting, rather than relying on our own strength or worldly solutions. God desires our full dependence on Him, not a demand for proof based on unbelief, unlike those who demand signs out of a wicked and adulterous generation.

The verse ultimately points to God's immense power and His unwavering commitment to His people, even when their faith falters. It's a testament to His grace and His desire to reassure us of His presence and protection.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 37:30 (10 votes)

    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 38:7 (9 votes)

    And this [shall be] a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;

  • Isaiah 38:8 (9 votes)

    Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.

  • Isaiah 38:22 (6 votes)

    Hezekiah also had said, What [is] the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?

  • 2 Kings 19:29 (6 votes)

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

  • Judges 6:36 (6 votes)

    And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,

  • Judges 6:40 (6 votes)

    And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.