Isaiah 7:5
Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,
Original Language Analysis
יַ֗עַן
H3282
יַ֗עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָלֶ֛יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֛יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲרָ֖ם
Because Syria
H758
אֲרָ֖ם
Because Syria
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
5 of 10
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
אֶפְרַ֥יִם
Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֥יִם
Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
7 of 10
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וּבֶן
and the son
H1121
וּבֶן
and the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Historical Context
The anti-Assyrian coalition sought to install a puppet king ('son of Tabeal,' v. 6) to replace Ahaz. This political conspiracy threatened Davidic line and messianic promise.
Questions for Reflection
- How does confidence in God's sovereign control over human conspiracies provide peace?
- What modern 'evil counsel' against the church or kingdom will 'not stand'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The conspiracy of Syria, Ephraim, and Remaliah's son (Pekah) 'taking evil counsel' against Judah emphasizes human plotting that cannot thwart divine purposes. The phrase 'taken evil counsel' indicates deliberate malice, yet verse 7 declares God's verdict: 'It shall not stand.' This demonstrates the Reformed conviction that human counsel without divine approval is vanity (Psalm 2:1-4), and that God's purposes always prevail over human scheming (Proverbs 19:21).