Isaiah 7:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with Ephraim,” the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.

NIV: Now the house of David was told, 'Aram has allied itself with Ephraim'; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.

NASB: When it was reported to the house of David, saying, 'The Arameans have taken a stand by Ephraim,' his heart and the hearts of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake from the wind.

CSB: When it became known to the house of David that Aram had occupied Ephraim, the heart of Ahaz and the hearts of his people trembled like trees of a forest shaking in the wind.

NLT: The news had come to the royal court of Judah: 'Syria is allied with Israel against us!' So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And it was told to the house of David, saying, “Syria’s forces are deployed in Ephraim.” So his heart and the heart of his people were moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind.

Ahaz, king of Judah, and the "house of David" are terrified. The phrase "house of David" refers to Jerusalem. It could refer to the king's court or the people of Jerusalem and Judah in general. Isaiah writes poetically that their hearts are full of fear. They are not feeling strong for what lies ahead.

Why are they so afraid? They have learned that Syria and Ephraim are in league together. Ephraim is the nation of the northern ten tribes of Israel Syria is the nation just north of Israel, and it's capital is Damascus. The capital of Ephraim is in Samaria. The two nations have not just become allies. They have come south to attack Judah to get it out of the way before Assyria comes from the east with its massive armies to attack their nations.

The king of Judah has already made it clear he will not stand with Syria and Israel against the Assyrians. In fact, it will eventually be revealed he has made an alliance with Assyria (2 Kings 16:7–9). The kings of Syria and Israel hope to defeat him and put their own king on Judah's throne, someone who they can influence.

It is likely that Israel and Syria have already captured or killed tens of thousands of the people of Judah (2 Chronicles 28) by this point. They are making their way to Jerusalem, the well-defended capital of Judah. Because of its location and its walls, their plan would be to put the city under siege and starve Ahaz and his people out.

Isaiah 7:1–9 describes the terror of Judah's King Ahaz and his people at the news that Israel and Syria have teamed up to defeat him. The Lord tells Isaiah to take his son and find Ahaz in a specific place. Isaiah reveals to Ahaz that what he fears will not happen. Syria and Israel will not conquer Jerusalem and divide up Judah and put someone else on Ahaz's throne. Instead, Israel will cease to be a people within 65 years. Ahaz must be firm in his faith in the Lord if he wishes to have any foundation.

Isaiah 7 begins with the threat of invasion from two of Judah's enemies: Israel and Syria. Judah's King Ahaz and his people are terrified. Speaking for the Lord, Isaiah tells Ahaz to not be afraid because it will not happen. Israel and Syria will soon be gone. Ahaz, though, refuses the Lord's command to ask for a sign. In response, Isaiah tells Ahaz that after Syria and Israel are destroyed, the Lord will use the king of Assyria to bring judgment on Judah through invading armies, emptying the land until little remains.

Isaiah 7 follows the description of Isaiah's commission as a prophet in Isaiah 6. Now the Lord tells him to go and speak to Judah's king Ahaz, who is terrified about an impending invasion from Syria and Israel. Isaiah promises this invasion will not happen. Instead, both nations will soon be destroyed. Ahaz refuses the Lord's command to ask for a sign to confirm His words. Isaiah tells Ahaz that after Israel and Syria are wiped out, the Lord will use the king of Assyria to bring harsh judgment against Judah in the form of relentless invading armies.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).