Isaiah 7:20
In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.
Original Language Analysis
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In the same day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In the same day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 18
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
הַה֡וּא
H1931
הַה֡וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 18
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יְגַלַּ֣ח
shave
H1548
יְגַלַּ֣ח
shave
Strong's:
H1548
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, to be bald, i.e., (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste
בְּתַ֨עַר
with a razor
H8593
בְּתַ֨עַר
with a razor
Strong's:
H8593
Word #:
5 of 18
a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e., empty)
בְּעֶבְרֵ֤י
namely by them beyond
H5676
בְּעֶבְרֵ֤י
namely by them beyond
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
נָהָר֙
the river
H5104
נָהָר֙
the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
8 of 18
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
10 of 18
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָרֹ֖אשׁ
the head
H7218
הָרֹ֖אשׁ
the head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
12 of 18
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הָרַגְלָ֑יִם
of the feet
H7272
הָרַגְלָ֑יִם
of the feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
14 of 18
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
וְגַ֥ם
H1571
וְגַ֥ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Isaiah 8:7Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:Isaiah 10:15Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.Ezekiel 29:18Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:
Historical Context
Sennacherib's invasion (701 BC) devastated Judah, conquering 46 cities and besieging Jerusalem. The 'hired razor' metaphor proved grimly accurate as Assyria ravaged the land.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the imagery of total shaving communicate the completeness of judgment's humiliation?
- What resources or alliances do we 'hire' that God may use as instruments of discipline?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The metaphor of the LORD hiring 'a razor...by them beyond the river...the king of Assyria' to shave Judah's head, beard, and feet depicts total humiliation. Shaving head and beard symbolized disgrace and mourning (2 Samuel 10:4-5); feet may be euphemism for genitals, suggesting complete nakedness and shame. Assyria, Judah's chosen ally (Ahaz's decision), becomes God's instrument of judgment—ultimate irony. This demonstrates that what we trust in apart from God becomes our undoing.