Isaiah Chapter 8 · Verse 4
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֗י
H3588
כִּ֗י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּטֶ֙רֶם֙
H2962
בְּטֶ֙רֶם֙
Strong's:
H2962
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
יֵדַ֣ע
shall have knowledge
H3045
יֵדַ֣ע
shall have knowledge
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
3 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הַנַּ֔עַר
For before the child
H5288
הַנַּ֔עַר
For before the child
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
4 of 17
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
קְרֹ֖א
to cry
H7121
קְרֹ֖א
to cry
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 17
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אָבִ֣י
My father
H1
אָבִ֣י
My father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 17
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאִמִּ֑י
and my mother
H517
וְאִמִּ֑י
and my mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
7 of 17
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
יִשָּׂ֣א׀
shall be taken away
H5375
יִשָּׂ֣א׀
shall be taken away
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
8 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֵ֣יל
the riches
H2428
חֵ֣יל
the riches
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
10 of 17
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
This prophecy was fulfilled with remarkable precision. In 732 BC, Tiglath-Pileser III conquered Damascus, killing King Rezin and deporting the population (2 Kings 16:9). He also captured much of northern Israel. In 722 BC, Shalmaneser V and Sargon II completed Samaria's destruction. The 'king of Assyria' was initially Tiglath-Pileser III, later succeeded by these rulers. Assyrian annals record the immense plunder taken from these conquests, confirming Isaiah's prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the precise fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen your confidence in God's control of history?
- What does God's use of Assyria teach about His sovereignty over pagan nations and their rulers?
- How can we trust God's timing in our own lives, knowing He controls all historical events?
Analysis & Commentary
The prophecy's time marker is precise: before the child reaches early speech (12-24 months), Assyria would plunder Damascus and Samaria. This specificity demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over historical events and timelines. The 'riches of Damascus and spoil of Samaria' represents total defeat—religious, economic, and political subjugation. Assyria served as God's instrument of judgment against nations threatening His people. This illustrates the Reformed doctrine that God governs all nations and uses even pagan empires to accomplish His purposes.