Isaiah 7:12 kjv
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
Isaiah 7:12 nkjv
But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!"
Isaiah 7:12 niv
But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test."
Isaiah 7:12 esv
But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test."
Isaiah 7:12 nlt
But the king refused. "No," he said, "I will not test the LORD like that."
Isaiah 7 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 7:1 | \"Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz...\" | Sets the immediate historical context. |
| Isaiah 7:2 | \"And it was told to the house of David, saying, 'Syria is...\" | Describes the immediate threat. |
| Isaiah 7:3 | \"Then Isaiah said to Ahaz, 'Go out to meet Isaiah, you and...\" | Isaiah's initial encounter with Ahaz. |
| Isaiah 7:4 | \"And say to him, ‘Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or...\" | God’s counsel to Ahaz. |
| Isaiah 7:9 | \"If you are not steadfast in faith, you shall not stand fast.'\" | The prerequisite for overcoming the threat. |
| Isaiah 7:10 | \"Moreover Isaiah spoke again to Ahaz, saying,\" | Further communication from God. |
| Isaiah 7:11 | “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; ask it either... | The invitation to ask for a sign. |
| Isaiah 7:13 | \"And he said, 'I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord.'\" | Ahaz's defiant refusal of God's offer. |
| Isaiah 7:14 | \"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a...\" | The promise of a sign – the virgin birth. |
| Isaiah 7:17 | \"The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people, and upon...\" | The impending judgment that will follow Ahaz's unbelief. |
| Isaiah 9:6 | \"For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; And the...\" | Prophecy pointing to the Messiah, echoing Isaiah 7. |
| Matthew 1:22 | \"So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was...\" | New Testament fulfillment of the sign. |
| John 3:16 | \"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten...\" | God's ultimate sign of love through giving His Son. |
| Romans 8:32 | \"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for...\" | God's sacrifice and provision for humanity. |
| 2 Peter 3:9 | \"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider...\" | God's faithfulness in His promises. |
| Genesis 15:16 | \"But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for...\" | God's long-suffering and faithfulness to Abraham. |
| Psalm 48:14 | \"For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our...\" | God's perpetual presence and guidance. |
| Psalm 105:4 | \"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!\" | The call to continually seek God. |
| Hebrews 11:6 | \"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he...\" | The importance of faith in pleasing God. |
| 1 Corinthians 1:20 | \"Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the... | God's wisdom contrasting with human wisdom. |
Isaiah 7 verses
Isaiah 7 12 Meaning
This verse describes King Ahaz of Judah being asked by the prophet Isaiah to ask God for a sign, either from the depth of Sheol or from the height above, to confirm God's promise and presence amidst the impending threat of the combined armies of Syria and Israel.
Isaiah 7 12 Context
In 734 BC, Syria (Aram) and the northern kingdom of Israel, under Kings Rezin and Pekah respectively, formed an alliance to invade Judah and depose King Ahaz. They desired to place a puppet king, the son of Tabeel, on the throne of Judah. The prophet Isaiah, instructed by God, met Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the road to the Fuller's Field, a location significant for the looming siege. Ahaz, despite being warned by Isaiah, was fearful and preparing for war rather than trusting in God. This verse marks God's merciful offer of a sign to Ahaz, a tangible assurance of His power to protect Judah, despite Ahaz's unbelief.
Isaiah 7 12 Word Analysis
- אֵת (et) - "a sign": In this context, a supernatural token or proof of God's intervention and presence.
- לְךָ (ləḵā) - "for yourself" or "to you": Emphasizes the personal nature of the offer, directed specifically at Ahaz.
- מִתַּחְתִּיָּה (mittaḥtiyyāh) - "from beneath" or "from below": Referring to the deepest parts of the earth or the underworld (Sheol).
- מֵעֶלְיוֹנָה (mēʿelyōnāh) - "from above" or "from on high": Referring to the highest heavens, the realm of God.
- הִשְׁתַּחֲוֵה (hištaḥăwêh) - "ask" or "request" (Piel imperative, but here more a general request): To bow down in reverence, but here it implies asking with a certain humility or submission.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God": This phrase encapsulates God's condescension and grace. Even though Ahaz was demonstrating faithlessness, God still extended a personal invitation for proof of His power. It's an opportunity for Ahaz to concretely see God's promise and presence, moving beyond mere pronouncements. The "Lord thy God" emphasizes God's covenant relationship, even with an unfaithful king.
- "ask it either in the deep, or in the height above": This profound imagery offers a vast scope for the sign. It suggests that no boundary of creation is beyond God's dominion or ability to demonstrate His power. Whether God chooses to act from the deepest, most inaccessible parts of the earth (Sheol) or the highest, most majestic heavens, His power is absolute. This covers every conceivable locus of divine power and manifestation.
Isaiah 7 12 Bonus Section
This offer of a sign by God to Ahaz in Isaiah chapter 7 is foundational to later Messianic prophecy. While Ahaz ultimately refused, God nevertheless provided a sign: the virgin birth of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). This sign points forward to Jesus Christ, God made flesh. The prophet Isaiah’s invitation to Ahaz to ask from the deep or the height can be seen as foreshadowing Christ’s descent into the grave (the deep) and His glorious resurrection and ascension (the height), demonstrating God's ultimate victory over sin and death. The profoundness of the offered sign underscores God's persistent grace, offering a tangible reality of His covenant faithfulness even when His people fail to trust.
Isaiah 7 12 Commentary
The verse presents a critical moment of divine initiative in the face of human fear and doubt. God, through Isaiah, offers King Ahaz a supernatural sign. This is not a casual request but a divine invitation to witness God's power directly. The options given – the depths of the earth or the heights of heaven – highlight God's sovereignty over all creation. God is saying, "Whatever manifestation of My power you wish to see, I can provide it to confirm My presence and Your deliverance." This offer is extended despite Ahaz's evident lack of faith. However, Ahaz will refuse this opportunity, demonstrating his deep-seated distrust of God and preference for human alliances, particularly with Assyria. The essence of the offer is God's unfailing commitment to His people, even when they waver in their trust.