The Lord "Jehovah" - For אדני Adonai , twenty-five of Kennicott's MSS., nine ancient, and fourteen of De Rossi's, read יהוה Jehovah . And so Isaiah 7:20 , eighteen MSS. Immanuel - For עמנואל Immanuel , many MSS. and editions have אל עמנו immanu El , God with us. read more
SECTION IV . PROPHECIES CONNECTED WITH THE SYRO - ISRAELITE WAR (Isaiah 7-10:4). THE PROPHECY GIVEN TO AHAZ AT THE TIME OF THE SYRO - ISRAELITISH WAR . The Syro-Israelitish war is touched on both in Kings and Chronicles. In Kings the alliance between Rezin and Pekah is distinctly declared, as also the fact that they conjointly besieged Jerusalem ( 2 Kings 16:5 ). From Chronicles we learn that, before the siege, Ahaz was twice defeated with... read more
The prophet comforts the king. I. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK . The kings and chieftains of Palestine were in dread of the great Assyrian power. Under the weak rule of Ahaz Judah had sunk very low, and the King of Damascus, with the King of Ephraim, think it a favorable opportunity to attack the little kingdom, and so strengthen themselves against the Assyrians. "Far down to the gulf of Akaba the shock of invasion was felt. Elath, the favorite seaport of Jehoshaphat and Uzziah, was made... read more
The establishing power of faith. The practical force of this prophetic utterance is found in the final words of it: "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established" ( Isaiah 7:9 ). We may see in them a declaration expressly personal . They intimate to Ahaz that if he, the present King of Judah, does not put his faith in the minister and in the message of the Lord, his kingdom and his power will suffer loss. 1. His faith was sorely tried. "His heart was moved as the... read more
For the head of Syria is Damascus, etc. Syria and Ephraim have merely human heads—the one Rezin, the other ( Isaiah 7:9 ) Pekah; but Judah, it is implied, has a Divine Head, even Jehovah. How, then, should mere mortals think to oppose their will and their designs to God's? Of course , their designs must come to naught. Within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken , etc. If this prophecy was delivered, as we have supposed, in B.C. 733 (see note on Isaiah 7:1 ), sixty-five... read more
If ye will not believe , etc. Translate, If ye will not hold this faith fast , surely ye will not stand fast . Full faith in the promise of Isaiah 7:7 would have enabled Ahaz to dispense with all plans of earthly policy, and to "stand fast in the Lord," without calling in the aid of any "arm of flesh." Distrust of the promise would lead him to take steps which would not tend to "establish" him, but would make his position more insecure (see 2 Kings 16:7-18 ; 2 Chronicles 28:16 , ... read more
No faith, no fixity. "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established." Faith is older than the Law. It is, in fact, the eider principle of all Divine teachings. Believe. "For he that cometh to God must believe that he is." Moreover, it is a living principle. It is not a cold precept, but is vital with trust and confidence. I. THE PROPHETIC REVELATION . It is very wonderful, and very distinct. See the succeeding ( Isaiah 7:14 ): "Therefore the Lord himself shall give... read more
The faith-condition. "If ye have no faith, verily ye shall not have continuance" (Cheyne's translation). "If ye hold not fast, verily ye shall not stand fast." See the expression illustrated in Jehoshaphat, when going out to meet the army of the Moabites and Ammonites ( 2 Chronicles 20:20 ). Habakkuk gives the same sentiment in his familiar expression, "The just shall live by his faith." Faith in him and in his Word is the one universal condition that God demands, and righteously demands,... read more
The Lord spake again unto Ahaz . As before ( Isaiah 7:3 , Isaiah 7:4 ) by the mouth of his prophet. read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 7:11
In the depth "Go deep to the grave" - So Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion, and the Vulgate. read more