Isaiah 7 13

Isaiah 7:13 kjv

And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

Isaiah 7:13 nkjv

Then he said, "Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?

Isaiah 7:13 niv

Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?

Isaiah 7:13 esv

And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?

Isaiah 7:13 nlt

Then Isaiah said, "Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn't it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well?

Isaiah 7 verses

Isaiah 7 13 meaning

Isaiah 7:13 serves as a stern rebuke delivered by the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz, representing the House of David. Following Ahaz's hypocritical refusal to ask for a sign from the Lord, Isaiah directly challenges the king's faithlessness. The verse underscores that by exhausting the patience of people (perhaps prophets or loyal subjects), Ahaz has now escalated his sin by further trying the patience of God Himself, signaling the gravity of his rebellion and disloyalty to the divine covenant.

Isaiah 7 13 Context

Isaiah 7:13 is a pivotal moment in the Syro-Ephraimite War narrative (735-732 BCE). The immediate context begins in Isaiah 7:10-12, where the Lord, through Isaiah, generously offers King Ahaz a sign of deliverance against the attacking armies of Aram and Israel. God, demonstrating His boundless patience and desire to save Judah, instructs Ahaz to "ask for a sign from the Lord your God, let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." Ahaz, however, feigns piety, declaring, "I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord." This refusal, presented as an act of reverence, was actually an act of defiant unbelief. Ahaz had already made plans to seek an alliance with Assyria (as recorded later in 2 Kgs 16 and 2 Chron 28) and had no intention of trusting YHWH. It is this profound hypocrisy and rejection of divine intervention that directly precedes Isaiah's stinging rebuke in verse 13. Historically and culturally, a king of the Davidic line was expected to lead the nation in trusting YHWH, their covenant Lord. Ahaz’s rejection was therefore a severe dereliction of duty, betraying not only the people but also the divine covenant made with David.

Isaiah 7 13 Word analysis

• Then he said: The speaker is Isaiah. This marks a direct and emphatic shift, indicating that Isaiah is no longer simply relaying a divine offer but delivering a prophetic pronouncement of judgment.
• Hear now, (שְׁמַע־נָ֣א, shəma‘-nā): An imperative, a command to pay close attention, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of the message. The addition of "na" adds an intensifying plea.
• O house of David! (בֵּ֥ית דָּוִ֖ד, bêt Dāwīd): This address targets King Ahaz, but through him, the entire Davidic dynasty and institution. It invokes the weight and responsibility of the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7), highlighting Ahaz's failure in his covenantal role to trust and lead.
• Is it too slight a thing for you / Is it not enough (הַֽמְעַט, hamʻaṭ): A rhetorical question, literally "Is it a small thing?" or "Is it too trivial/little?" It strongly implies the opposite, that their actions are incredibly weighty and grave, underscoring the severity of their conduct.
• to try the patience of men (לְהַלְאֹ֥ות אֲנָשִׁ֖ים, ləhal'ôt ’ănāšîm): The Hebrew verb "לָאָה" (la'ah) means to be weary, to be exhausted, or to make weary. In this context, it implies exasperating or testing the forbearance of people. This could refer to the prophets who diligently proclaimed God's word, loyal counselors who offered good advice, or even the common people suffering under the misguidance of their king, all of whom Ahaz dismissed or disregarded.
• that you will try the patience of my God also? (כִּ֥י תַלְא֖וּ גַּם־אֱלֹהָֽי, kî ṯal'ū gam-’ĕlōhāy):
  • will try the patience of (תַלְא֖וּ, tal'ū): Continues the same verb, emphasizing that they are repeating and escalating the offense of "wearing out."
  • my God (אֱלֹהָֽי, ’ĕlōhāy): This possessive suffix ("my") is profoundly significant. Isaiah, the prophet, asserts his personal relationship with YHWH, directly contrasting Ahaz's institutional or indifferent relationship. It implies that Ahaz is not merely offending an abstract deity but the Living God who communicates through His prophet, a God with whom Isaiah stands in intimate relationship. It emphasizes the personal affront and highlights Isaiah's unique authority and deep conviction.
  • also (גַּם, gam): "Also" intensifies the transgression, showing that their actions against God are in addition to (and worse than) their actions against people, escalating the offense to the highest degree.

Word-groups by word-groups analysis:

• "Hear now, O house of David!": This collective address to the Davidic dynasty, primarily represented by King Ahaz, highlights the failure of leadership and the violation of the covenant responsibilities that came with their lineage. It's a call for accountability to those who should know better and uphold divine trust.
• "Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also?": This rhetorical question effectively conveys that Ahaz's actions represent a dual and escalating offense. The "trying of men's patience" (wearying, exasperating) hints at the frustration caused by his ungodly policies, diplomatic maneuvering, and rejection of prophetic counsel. But the even greater sin is extending this contempt and weariness to God Himself, a direct affront to divine sovereignty, grace, and covenant faithfulness. Isaiah emphasizes that Ahaz has exhausted not just human forbearance but now divine patience.

Isaiah 7 13 Bonus section

The immediate fulfillment of "my God" giving a sign despite Ahaz's rejection is found in Isaiah 7:14 with the "Immanuel" prophecy. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant purposes even when human agents fail Him. The choice of "my God" by Isaiah, instead of "the LORD" or "your God," marks a significant personalization and distinguishes Isaiah's authentic faith from Ahaz's superficiality, emphasizing the prophetic integrity in the face of royal apostasy. Furthermore, the 'trying' or 'wearing out' aspect of this verse highlights God's emotional involvement in His creation, that He is not an impassive deity but one who can be genuinely grieved or exasperated by the unfaithfulness of His covenant people.

Isaiah 7 13 Commentary

Isaiah 7:13 encapsulates the profound human tendency towards unbelief and its spiritual ramifications. It serves as a sharp indictment of King Ahaz's feigned piety, which masked a fundamental distrust in God and a preference for human alliances (namely Assyria). Ahaz's refusal of a divine sign, offered out of God's abundant grace, was not an act of humility but a calculated rejection, forcing Isaiah to pronounce God's sign anyway (v.14). The verse highlights the gravity of 'wearying' God, a powerful anthropomorphism conveying God's exhaustion with His people's persistent sin and obstinacy, a sentiment echoed across Scripture (e.g., Isa 43:24, Mal 2:17). By frustrating men – likely faithful advisors and the prophets – and then audacious enough to exasperate God, Ahaz demonstrates a deep-seated rebellion. This rebellion from the 'House of David' is a critical breach of covenantal expectation, yet, as the narrative progresses, it paradoxically becomes the backdrop against which God's own faithfulness and plan of salvation, through the promised "Immanuel," shines even brighter. It reminds us that God's patience is not limitless, and persistent unbelief has severe consequences, both for individuals and the leadership entrusted with His people.