Isaiah 7:2
And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֻּגַּ֗ד
And it was told
H5046
וַיֻּגַּ֗ד
And it was told
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
לְבֵ֤ית
the house
H1004
לְבֵ֤ית
the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
2 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
נָ֥חָֽה
is confederate
H5117
נָ֥חָֽה
is confederate
Strong's:
H5117
Word #:
5 of 17
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
אֲרָ֖ם
Syria
H758
אֲרָ֖ם
Syria
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
6 of 17
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶפְרָ֑יִם
with Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרָ֑יִם
with Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
8 of 17
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
כְּנ֥וֹעַ
are moved
H5128
כְּנ֥וֹעַ
are moved
Strong's:
H5128
Word #:
9 of 17
to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)
עַמּ֔וֹ
of his people
H5971
עַמּ֔וֹ
of his people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כְּנ֥וֹעַ
are moved
H5128
כְּנ֥וֹעַ
are moved
Strong's:
H5128
Word #:
13 of 17
to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)
עֲצֵי
as the trees
H6086
עֲצֵי
as the trees
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
14 of 17
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
יַ֖עַר
of the wood
H3293
יַ֖עַר
of the wood
Strong's:
H3293
Word #:
15 of 17
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
Cross References
Isaiah 7:13And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?Isaiah 8:12Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.Isaiah 9:9And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,Proverbs 28:1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Historical Context
Two-front threat (Syria from north, Israel from central highlands) appeared militarily overwhelming. Ahaz faced pressure to seek Assyrian alliance rather than trust God.
Questions for Reflection
- What circumstances cause our hearts to 'move like trees' rather than rest in God's promises?
- How does fear reveal functional unbelief despite professed faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The report that 'Syria is confederate with Ephraim' caused Ahaz's and the people's hearts to move 'as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind' depicts paralyzing fear despite God's promises. This terror reveals lack of faith—trusting circumstances over covenant. The imagery anticipates Jesus' contrast between those founded on rock versus sand (Matthew 7:24-27), showing that faith provides stability while unbelief brings instability.