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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֜ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עָלֶ֗יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֗יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעַֽל
H5921
וְעַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמְּךָ֮
upon thee and upon thy people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֮
upon thee and upon thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בֵּ֣ית
house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָבִיךָ֒
and upon thy father's
H1
אָבִיךָ֒
and upon thy father's
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
8 of 20
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְמִיּ֥וֹם
days
H3117
לְמִיּ֥וֹם
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
9 of 20
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
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בָ֔אוּ
shall bring
H935
בָ֔אוּ
shall bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
12 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לְמִיּ֥וֹם
days
H3117
לְמִיּ֥וֹם
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 20
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
אֶפְרַ֖יִם
that Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֖יִם
that Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
15 of 20
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
מֵעַ֣ל
H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוּדָ֑ה
from Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
from Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
17 of 20
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Historical Context
Ahaz's appeal to Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-9) brought temporary relief but made Judah an Assyrian vassal, leading to Hezekiah's crisis when Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem (701 BC).
Questions for Reflection
- How do our chosen 'solutions' apart from God often become instruments of judgment?
- What modern alliances or strategies do we pursue that may ultimately prove destructive?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The warning that the LORD 'shall bring upon thee...days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria' introduces dark irony: Ahaz's chosen solution (Assyrian alliance) becomes his judgment. By trusting Assyria instead of God, Ahaz invites oppression worse than the divided kingdom. This demonstrates that seeking security apart from God brings greater danger. It anticipates Jesus' teaching that seeking to save life results in losing it (Matthew 16:25).