Isaiah 7:1
And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֡י
H1961
וַיְהִ֡י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בִּימֵ֣י
And it came to pass in the days
H3117
בִּימֵ֣י
And it came to pass in the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 25
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
9 of 25
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
עָלָ֣ה
went up
H5927
עָלָ֣ה
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
10 of 25
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
רְצִ֣ין
that Rezin
H7526
רְצִ֣ין
that Rezin
Strong's:
H7526
Word #:
11 of 25
retsin, the name of a syrian and of an israelite
אֲ֠רָם
of Syria
H758
אֲ֠רָם
of Syria
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
13 of 25
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
18 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
toward Jerusalem
H3389
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
toward Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
19 of 25
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
to war
H4421
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
to war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
20 of 25
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
עָלֶ֑יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֑יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
22 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָכֹ֖ל
against it but could
H3201
יָכֹ֖ל
against it but could
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
23 of 25
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
Cross References
2 Kings 15:37In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.2 Kings 16:1In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.Isaiah 8:6Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;Isaiah 1:1The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Historical Context
Syria and Israel sought to force Judah into anti-Assyrian coalition. When Ahaz refused, they attempted to replace him with a puppet king, threatening Davidic succession.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's preservation of Judah despite siege demonstrate His commitment to covenant promises?
- What modern 'coalitions' pressure God's people to compromise covenant faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Syro-Ephraimite crisis (735-732 BC) where Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel besieged Jerusalem represents covenant brothers attacking Judah for refusing anti-Assyrian alliance. The phrase 'could not prevail' foreshadows God's protection despite military pressure. This crisis provided context for the Immanuel prophecy (7:14), demonstrating that God preserves His Davidic line through which Messiah would come, showcasing divine sovereignty over geopolitical threats.