Isaiah 7 15

Isaiah 7:15 kjv

Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

Isaiah 7:15 nkjv

Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good.

Isaiah 7:15 niv

He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right,

Isaiah 7:15 esv

He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.

Isaiah 7:15 nlt

By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt and honey.

Isaiah 7 verses

Isaiah 7 15 Meaning

He shall eat curds and honey, until he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. This signifies a period of protected infancy and learning, a divine provision during a time of threat, wherein the child will develop moral discernment.

Isaiah 7 15 Context

Isaiah 7 records the syro-emitec invasion of Judah. King Ahaz of Judah is presented with an offer by God through Isaiah to ask for a sign. Ahaz, playing pious, refuses to ask for a sign, stating he will not put God to the test. However, God assures Isaiah that a young woman will conceive and bear a son, Immanuel (God with us). This child's birth is to be a sign, and by the time he is old enough to know the difference between good and evil, the kings of Israel and Syria who are threatening Judah will be vanquished. The specific verse, Isaiah 7:15, describes the provision for this child. The immediate historical context is one of war and existential threat to the Davidic kingdom. The audience would have understood the significance of a sign and the assurance of God's presence and deliverance.

Isaiah 7 15 Word Analysis

• בָּל (bal): Not, neither, nor. Used here to introduce a negative clause following "unless".

• ט֤וֹב (tov): Good.

• וּלְמָרַע (u-lə-mā·ra‘): and to distinguish/refuse. (Hebrew root מרע mar‘a - to be evil, bad, do wrong.) The Hebrew has a specific sense of choosing against something negative, to reject it.

• יֹאכַל (yə·ō·ḵal): He shall eat.

• וּדְבַשׁ (ū·ḏə·ḇaš): and honey.

• מַר­ (maṟ): bitter. It's not used here, but the root mar meaning bitter is close to mara, to do evil. The contrast implies a progression from what is spiritually bitter to what is good.

• וּלְרָ (u-lə-rā): and to distinguish good. Hebrew: רָע (ra') - evil, bad. This is contrasted with טוב (tov). The structure suggests "until he knows to refuse evil and choose good".

• וּשְׁמֹעַ (ū·šə·mō·‘a): and to hear.

• הַר (har): curds. Refers to dairy products, likely yogurt or curdled milk, a common and nourishing food, especially for those in simpler or pastoral circumstances.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "curds and honey" (לֶֽמַע וּדְבַשׁ - lə·ma‘ ū·ḏə·ḇaš): This combination represents simple, natural, and readily available sustenance. It speaks of provision rather than extravagance, fitting for a sign in a time of potential scarcity or upheaval. It's not a lavish feast, but enough to sustain and foster growth.
  • "until he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good" (עַד־דַּעְתּוֹ־מָרַ֤ע לְמָרֵ֙עַ֙ וְט֣וֹב לֶֽאֱכֹל֙ - ‘aḏ·ḏa‘·ṯō·mā·ra‘ lə·mā·rē‘a · wə·ṯōḇ le·’ĕ·ḵōl): This is the crucial developmental milestone. It points to moral discernment, the development of conscience, and the ability to make ethical choices. This cognitive and moral maturity is what defines his "knowing." It's a natural process of human development that God will protect.

Isaiah 7 15 Bonus Section

The imagery of curds and honey is echoed in descriptions of the Promised Land (Exodus 3:8), associating divine provision with God's covenant faithfulness. This nourishment prepares the child for the discernment that is a hallmark of spiritual maturity. The concept of learning to "refuse the evil and choose the good" is fundamental to ethical and spiritual growth, a journey every believer undertakes, aided by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the guidance of God’s Word. The specific prophecy here points to a historical fulfillment as well as a typological one, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of Good and against whom evil finds no hold. Jesus, as the ultimate Immanuel, lived a life of perfect obedience and moral perfection, fully knowing good and evil and always choosing good.

Isaiah 7 15 Commentary

This verse describes the sustenance of the child Immanuel during the precarious period preceding the downfall of the enemies of Judah. The diet of "curds and honey" (לֶֽמַע וּדְבַשׁ) highlights God's provision of simple, natural nourishment. This diet was common in the region and represented basic sustenance that could be readily obtained, even in times of conflict. The key element is the phrase "until he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good" (עַד־דַּעְתּוֹ־מָרַ֤ע לְמָרֵ֙עַ֙ וְט֣וֹב לֶֽאֱכֹל֙). This denotes a developmental stage of moral consciousness and discernment. It’s not about an exact age, but a period of growth wherein the child develops the capacity to differentiate right from wrong. This ability to choose good and reject evil is presented as the parameter for when the immediate threat will be neutralized. It signifies that the child Immanuel will be kept safe through this transitional period of his development.