Isaiah 8:7
Now 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:
Original Language Analysis
וְלָכֵ֡ן
H3651
וְלָכֵ֡ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֲדֹנָי֩
Now therefore behold the Lord
H136
אֲדֹנָי֩
Now therefore behold the Lord
Strong's:
H136
Word #:
3 of 24
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
וְעָלָה֙
and he shall come up
H5927
וְעָלָה֙
and he shall come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
4 of 24
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֵ֣י
upon them the waters
H4325
מֵ֣י
upon them the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
7 of 24
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
הַנָּהָ֗ר
of the river
H5104
הַנָּהָ֗ר
of the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
8 of 24
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
הָעֲצוּמִים֙
strong
H6099
הָעֲצוּמִים֙
strong
Strong's:
H6099
Word #:
9 of 24
powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous
וְהָ֣רַבִּ֔ים
and many
H7227
וְהָ֣רַבִּ֔ים
and many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
10 of 24
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַשּׁ֖וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֖וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
13 of 24
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּבוֹד֑וֹ
and all his glory
H3519
כְּבוֹד֑וֹ
and all his glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
16 of 24
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
וְעָלָה֙
and he shall come up
H5927
וְעָלָה֙
and he shall come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
17 of 24
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲפִיקָ֔יו
over all his channels
H650
אֲפִיקָ֔יו
over all his channels
Strong's:
H650
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, containing, i.e., a tube; also a bed or valley of a stream; also a strong thing or a hero
וְהָלַ֖ךְ
and go over
H1980
וְהָלַ֖ךְ
and go over
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
21 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
22 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Isaiah 7:17The 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.Isaiah 7:20In 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.Genesis 6:17And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.Amos 8:8Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.Amos 9:5And the Lord GOD of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.
Historical Context
Fulfilled in Sennacherib's invasion of 701 BC. Assyrian forces swept through Judah like a flood, destroying 46 fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. The annals of Sennacherib describe shutting up Hezekiah 'like a bird in a cage.' Waters reaching 'to the neck' was literal—Jerusalem itself, the 'head' of Judah, survived while everything else was destroyed. God miraculously delivered Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:36-37), proving He controls even His judgment instruments.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use difficult circumstances as instruments of discipline for His people?
- What does the 'waters to the neck' imagery teach about God's restraint even in severe judgment?
- How have you experienced God's preservation in the midst of overwhelming trials?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The imagery shifts dramatically: rejecting gentle waters brings overwhelming flood. The 'king of Assyria' represents God's judgment instrument—violent, unstoppable, comprehensive. The flood metaphor suggests totality: waters reaching 'to the neck' indicate near-total destruction, yet not quite complete (the head remains above water, suggesting survival of a remnant). This demonstrates the Reformed doctrine of judgment and mercy intertwined—God disciplines severely but preserves His people. Assyria's invasion, though used by God, would ultimately be restrained.