Isaiah 7:18
New International Version
In that day the LORD will whistle for flies from the Nile delta in Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria.

New Living Translation
In that day the LORD will whistle for the army of southern Egypt and for the army of Assyria. They will swarm around you like flies and bees.

English Standard Version
In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

Berean Standard Bible
On that day the LORD will whistle to the flies at the farthest streams of the Nile and to the bees in the land of Assyria.

King James Bible
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

New King James Version
And it shall come to pass in that day That the LORD will whistle for the fly That is in the farthest part of the rivers of Egypt, And for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

New American Standard Bible
On that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is in the remotest part of the canals of Egypt and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

NASB 1995
In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is in the remotest part of the rivers of Egypt and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

NASB 1977
And it will come about in that day, that the LORD will whistle for the fly that is in the remotest part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

Legacy Standard Bible
And it will be in that day, that Yahweh will whistle for the fly that is in the remotest part of the rivers of Egypt and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

Amplified Bible
In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is in the mouth of the rivers and canals of Egypt and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

Christian Standard Bible
On that day the LORD will whistle to flies at the farthest streams of the Nile and to bees in the land of Assyria.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On that day the LORD will whistle to the fly that is at the farthest streams of the Nile and to the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

American Standard Version
And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

Contemporary English Version
When that time comes, the LORD will whistle, and armies will come from Egypt like flies and from Assyria like bees.

English Revised Version
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
On that day the LORD will whistle for the flies that are at the distant branches of the Nile River in Egypt and for the bees that are in Assyria.

Good News Translation
"When that time comes, the LORD will whistle as a signal for the Egyptians to come like flies from the farthest branches of the Nile, and for the Assyrians to come from their land like bees.

International Standard Version
"At that time, the LORD will call for flies that will come from far away—from the headwaters of Egypt's rivers—and for bees that are in the land of Assyria.

Majority Standard Bible
On that day the LORD will whistle to the flies at the farthest streams of the Nile and to the bees in the land of Assyria.

NET Bible
At that time the LORD will whistle for flies from the distant streams of Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria.

New Heart English Bible
It will happen in that day that the LORD will whistle for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD will hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

World English Bible
It will happen in that day that Yahweh will whistle for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it has come to pass in that day, "" YHWH hisses for a fly that [is] in the extremity of the brooks of Egypt, "" And for a bee that [is] in the land of Asshur.

Young's Literal Translation
And it hath come to pass, in that day, Jehovah doth hiss for a fly that is in the extremity of the brooks of Egypt, And for a bee that is in the land of Asshur.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was in that day Jehovah shall hiss for the fly which is in the extremity of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee which is in the land of Assur.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall hiss for the fly, that is in the uttermost parts of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And this shall be in that day: the Lord will call for the fly, which is in the most distant parts of the rivers of Egypt, and for the swarm, which is in the land of Assur.

New American Bible
On that day The LORD shall whistle for the fly in the farthest streams of Egypt, and for the bee in the land of Assyria.

New Revised Standard Version
On that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the sources of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it shall come to pass on that day that the LORD shall whistle for the flies that are in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt and for the bees that are in the land of Assyria.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it will happen in that day LORD JEHOVAH shall whistle for the flies that are on the edges of the rivers of Egypt and for the bees that are in the land of Assyria
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it shall come to pass in that day, That the LORD shall hiss for the fly That is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, And for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall hiss for the flies, which insect shall rule over a part of the river of Egypt, and for the bee which is in the land of the Assyrians.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment to Come
17The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since the day Ephraim separated from Judah—He will bring the king of Assyria.” 18 On that day the LORD will whistle to the flies at the farthest streams of the Nile and to the bees in the land of Assyria. 19And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines and clefts of the rocks, in all the thornbushes and watering holes.…

Cross References
Exodus 8:21-24
But if you will not let My people go, I will send swarms of flies upon you and your officials and your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians and even the ground where they stand will be full of flies. / But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land. / I will make a distinction between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.’” ...

Deuteronomy 28:49
The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand,

Jeremiah 46:20
Egypt is a beautiful heifer, but a gadfly from the north is coming against her.

Zephaniah 1:7-8
Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests. / “On the Day of the LORD’s sacrifice I will punish the princes, the sons of the king, and all who are dressed in foreign apparel.

2 Kings 18:17
Nevertheless, the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh, along with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They advanced up to Jerusalem and stationed themselves by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field.

Jeremiah 5:15-17
Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand. / Their quivers are like open graves; they are all mighty men. / They will devour your harvest and food; they will consume your sons and daughters; they will eat up your flocks and herds; they will feed on your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust.”

Ezekiel 29:3-5
Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself.’ / But I will put hooks in your jaws and cause the fish of your streams to cling to your scales. I will haul you up out of your rivers, and all the fish of your streams will cling to your scales. / I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and will not be taken away or gathered for burial. I have given you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air.

Isaiah 36:2
And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh, with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stopped by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field.

Isaiah 8:7-8
the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. / It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel!

Isaiah 10:5-6
Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. / I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.

Isaiah 19:1-4
This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them. / “So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. / Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. ...

Isaiah 30:28
His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

Isaiah 36:6
Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

Isaiah 37:7
Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’”


Treasury of Scripture

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

hiss

Isaiah 5:26
And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

fly

Isaiah 30:1,2
Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: …

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Exodus 8:21,24
Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are

bee

Isaiah 7:17
The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria.

2 Kings 23:33,34
And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold…

Jump to Previous
Asshur Assyria Bees Brooks Distant Egypt End Extremity Flies Fly Hiss Part Piping Remotest Rivers Sound Sources Streams Uttermost Whistle
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Asshur Assyria Bees Brooks Distant Egypt End Extremity Flies Fly Hiss Part Piping Remotest Rivers Sound Sources Streams Uttermost Whistle
Isaiah 7
1. Ahaz, being troubled with fear of Rezin and Pekah, is comforted by Isaiah
10. Ahaz, having liberty to choose a sign, and refusing it, has for a sign, Christ promised
17. His judgment is prophesied to come by Assyria














On that day
This phrase signifies a specific time appointed by God, often used in prophetic literature to denote a moment of divine intervention or judgment. In the context of Isaiah, it refers to a future event when God will act decisively. The Hebrew word for "day" (יוֹם, yom) can mean a literal day or a period of time, emphasizing God's sovereign control over history.

the LORD
The use of "the LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) underscores the covenantal name of God, highlighting His authority and faithfulness. It reminds the reader of God's personal relationship with Israel and His ultimate power to orchestrate events according to His divine will.

will whistle
The imagery of God whistling (שָׁרַק, sharaq) conveys His effortless command over creation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a whistle could summon animals or people, symbolizing authority and control. Here, it illustrates God's ability to summon nations as instruments of His purpose.

to the flies
Flies (זְבוּבִים, zevuvim) are often associated with pestilence and discomfort. In this context, they symbolize the Egyptian forces, which God will summon as a form of judgment. The use of flies evokes the plagues of Egypt, reminding the reader of God's past deliverance and His power to use even small creatures to fulfill His plans.

at the farthest streams of the Nile
This phrase locates the flies in Egypt, specifically at the extremities of the Nile River, which was the lifeblood of Egyptian civilization. The Nile's mention emphasizes the reach of God's influence, extending even to distant lands. Historically, Egypt was a significant power, and this imagery suggests that God can mobilize even the mightiest nations.

and to the bees
Bees (דְּבוֹרִים, devorim) are known for their swarming behavior and painful stings, symbolizing the Assyrian forces. The choice of bees highlights the threat and aggression of Assyria, a dominant empire known for its military prowess. This imagery conveys the impending danger and the precision of God's judgment.

in the land of Assyria
Assyria was a formidable empire during Isaiah's time, known for its expansionist policies and military strength. By referencing Assyria, the text underscores the geopolitical realities of the period and God's ability to use powerful nations to achieve His purposes. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations, regardless of their might.

(18) The Lord shall hiss for the fly . . .--See for the phrase the Note on Isaiah 5:26. The legions of Egypt are represented by the flies that swarmed on the banks of the Nile (Exodus 8:24, and possibly Isaiah 18:1), those of Assyria by the bees of their forests and their hills (Deuteronomy 1:44; Psalm 118:12). The mention of Egypt indicates that some of the king's counsellors were then, as afterwards (Isaiah 18:2; Isaiah 31:1), planning an Egyptian alliance, as others were relying on that with Assyria. The prophet tells them that each is fraught with danger. No help and much evil would come from such plans. Consistent in his policy from first to last, the one counsel he gives is that men should practise righteousness, and wait upon the Lord. . . . Verse 18. - The Lord shall hiss (see Isaiah 5:26, and note ad loc.). For the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt. The "fly of Egypt," like the "bee of Assyria," represents the military force of the nation, which God summons to take part in the coming affliction of Judaea. The prophetic glance may be extended over the entire period of Judah's decadence, and the "flies" summoned may include those which clustered about Neco at Megiddo, and carried off Jehoahaz from Jerusalem (2 Kings 23:29-34). There may be allusion also to Egyptian ravages in the reigns of Sargon, Sennacherib, and Esar-haddon. In any general review of the period we shall find it stated that, from the time of Sargon to that of Cyrus, Judaea was the battle-ground upon which the forces of Assyria (or Assyro-Babylonia) and Egypt contended for the empire of western Asia. The desolation of the land during this period was produced almost as much by the Egyptian "fly as by the Assyrian bee." The "rivers of Egypt" are the Nile, its branches, and perhaps the great canals by which its waters were distributed. The bee that is in the land of Assyria. The choice of the terms "bee" and "fly," to represent respectively the hosts of Assyria and Egypt, is not without significance. Egyptian armies were swarms, hastily levied, and very imperfectly disciplined. Assyrian were bodies of trained troops accustomed to war, and almost as well disciplined as the Romans.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
On that
הַה֗וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will whistle
יִשְׁרֹ֤ק (yiš·rōq)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8319: To be shrill, to whistle, hiss

to the flies
לַזְּב֔וּב (laz·zə·ḇūḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2070: A fly

at the farthest
בִּקְצֵ֖ה (biq·ṣêh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7097: End, extremity

streams
יְאֹרֵ֣י (yə·’ō·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2975: Nile -- a channel, a fosse, canal, shaft, the Nile, the Tigris

of the Nile
מִצְרָ֑יִם (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

and to the bees
וְלַ֨דְּבוֹרָ֔ה (wə·lad·də·ḇō·w·rāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1682: The bee

in the land
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Assyria.
אַשּֽׁוּר׃ (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 7:18 It will happen in that day that (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 7:17
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