the house of David. Not to Ahaz only, but to the house which had received the promise of Jehovah's protection (2 Samuel 7:0 ). Ephraim. The leading tribe, put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for the rest of the ten tribes. Sometimes called "Samaria" (1 Kings 16:24 ). His . i.e. Ahaz. wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . read more
2. is confederate with—rather, is encamped upon the territory of Ephraim [MAURER], or better, as Rezin was encamped against Jerusalem, "is supported by" [LOWTH] Ephraim, whose land lay between Syria and Judah. The mention of "David" alludes, in sad contrast with the present, to the time when David made Syria subject to him ( :-). Ephraim—the ten tribes. as . . . trees of . . . wood—a simultaneous agitation. read more
1. Signs of God’s presence 7:1-9:7A unifying theme in this subsection is children. The children were understandably a major concern of the Israelites, threatened as they were with invasion. However, the children also embodied qualities that the adult Israelites needed to adopt to survive, such as innocence, trust, and acknowledged weakness (cf. Matthew 18:1-7). Indeed, a child promised in this passage, who turned out to be Jesus, would eventually save them. As Jesus appealed for an attitude of... read more
The command to trust God 7:1-9This introductory segment provides the basic information about the historical situation that Judah faced, plus God’s command concerning that situation. Would King Ahaz face his threat from God’s perspective or from man’s? Would he trust in Yahweh or in soldiers? Would he exercise faith or resort to works? read more
When Ahaz ("the house of David" of all people!) heard that Syria had moved its army into the Northern Kingdom (Ephraim) and had settled down there, he and his people shook with fear. The date of this attack was probably between 736 and 734 B.C. This prophecy of Isaiah is dateable to 734 B.C. Ahaz had previously suffered defeat at the hands of both these enemies (2 Chronicles 28:5-8). Edom and Philistia were also threatening Judah at this time (2 Chronicles 28:17-18). What Ahaz would do would... read more
The Syro-Ephraimite InvasionThe group of prophecies contained in this section belongs to the reign of Ahaz, when Judah was threatened by the allied forces of Syria and Israel (Isaiah 7:1; 2 Kings 15:37; 2 Kings 16:5-9; 2 Chronicles 28:5-15). With the reign of Tiglath-pileser, the Assyrian empire entered on a new epoch, that monarch aiming at bringing the whole of W. Asia under his sway. With a view to resisting the Assyrian advance and preserving their independence, Rezin, of Syria, and Pekah,... read more
1-16. Isaiah assures Ahaz by a sign that Judah will be delivered from Syria and Israel.1. See prefatory note to the section.2. Ephraim] the popular name for the northern kingdom (Isaiah 9:8-9). His heart was moved] i.e. the heart of king Ahaz, because of the formidable confederacy against him. Serious reverses suffered by Judah at this time are recorded in 2 Chronicles 28:5-15.3. Shear-jashub] i.e. ’a remnant shall return.’ Already in the reign of Ahaz the prophet had summed up the... read more
(2) The other interpretation sets out from an entirely different starting-point. The words of Matthew 1:23 are taken as, once for all, deciding the entire meaning of the Immanuel prophecy. The prophet is supposed to have passed into a state of ecstasy in which he sees clearly, and with a full consciousness of its meaning, the history of the incarnation and the marvel of the travail-pangs of the Virgin mother. The vision of the future Christ thus presented to his mind, colours all his... read more
God with Us (Sunday after Christmas) Isaiah 7:14 I. We may well say first, that all our best Christmas thoughts are summed up in this word. We think of the Holy Child not simply as heaven's gift to the world, but as the coming down of heaven itself into the world. 'Lo, I am with you alway,' is the alpha and omega of the Incarnation. 'Immanuel, God with us!' That is the very meat and drink of our faith. The gift that came to the world that first Christmas morning has never been withdrawn for a... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 7:1-25
7:1-12:6 JUDAH IN THE REIGN OF AHAZChapters 7-12 belong to the reign of Ahaz, when Pekah the king of Israel and Rezin the king of Syria (Aram) joined forces to attack Ahaz, with the aim of forcing Judah into their anti-Assyrian alliance. Before reading these chapters, readers should be familiar with the historical background given in the introduction under the heading ‘Israel and Syria attack Judah’.Isaiah’s message for Ahaz (7:1-25)When the Judean king Ahaz hears of the approach of the... read more