Isaiah 7:1-17 ▼

1 Now in the days that Ahaz (he has grasped) son of Jotham (YHWH is perfect), the son of Uzziah (my strength is YHWH), was king of Judah (praised), Rezin (firm) king of Aram (Syria) marched up to wage war against Jerusalem (city of peace). He was accompanied by Pekah (expand) son of Remaliah (protected by YHWH) the king of Israel (he wrestles with God), but he could not overpower the city.

2 When it was reported to the house of David (beloved) that Aram (exalted) was in league with Ephraim (had set up camp in Ephraim), the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind {ruach}.

3 Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Isaiah (YHWH has saved), “Go out with your son Shear-jashub (a remnant shall return) to meet Ahaz (he has grasped) at the end of the aqueduct that feeds the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field,

4 and say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened over these two smoldering stubs of firewood—over the fierce anger of Rezin (firm) and Aram (exalted) and of the son of Remaliah (protected by YHWH).

5 For Aram (exalted), along with Ephraim (doubly fruitful) and the son of Remaliah (protected by YHWH), has plotted your ruin, saying:

6 ‘Let us invade Judah (praised), terrorize it, and divide it \split it open/ among ourselves. Then we can install the son of Tabeal (God is good) over it as king.’

7 But this is what the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH} says: ‘It will not arise; it will not happen.

8 For the head of Aram (exalted) is Damascus (well-watered land), and the head of Damascus is Rezin (firm). Within sixty-five years Ephraim (doubly fruitful) will be shattered as a people.

9 The head of Ephraim (doubly fruitful) is Samaria (watch mountain), and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah (protected by YHWH). If you⁺ do not stand firm in your⁺ faith, then you⁺ will not stand at all.’”

10 Again the LORD {YHWH} spoke to Ahaz (he has grasped), saying,

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

12 But Ahaz (he has grasped) replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD {YHWH}.”

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David (beloved)! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you⁺ try the patience of my God {Elohay} as well?

14 Therefore the Lord {Adonai} Himself will give you⁺ a sign: Behold, the virgin (young woman) will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel (God with us).

15 By the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good, He will be eating curds and honey.

16 For before the boy knows enough to reject evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

17 The LORD {YHWH} will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since the day Ephraim (doubly fruitful) separated from Judah (praised)—He will bring the king of Assyria (a step).”