Isaiah 7 16

Isaiah 7:16 kjv

For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Isaiah 7:16 nkjv

For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings.

Isaiah 7:16 niv

for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

Isaiah 7:16 esv

For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.

Isaiah 7:16 nlt

For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted.

Isaiah 7 verses

Isaiah 7 16 Meaning

For before the boy will know to refuse evil and to choose good, the land before whose two kings you are abhorrent will be forsaken.

Isaiah 7 16 Context

Isaiah 7 takes place during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. The Northern Kingdom of Israel (often referred to simply as "Israel" or "Ephraim") and Syria are allied and attacking Judah. They intend to depose Ahaz and install a puppet king, possibly Rezin of Syria's son (Isa 7:6). Isaiah, guided by the Lord, delivers a message of reassurance to Ahaz. He declares that this alliance will not succeed and that within a short time, both kingdoms will be laid waste. However, Ahaz's response is to trust in Assyria's military might rather than God's promise. This verse is part of Isaiah's prophecy detailing the immediate future of these attacking nations, specifically naming the premature end of their political threat before a child (often interpreted as Maher-shalal-hash-baz, or more profoundly, Immanuel) reaches an age of understanding.

Isaiah 7 16 Word Analysis

• ki (כִּי): A strong conjunctive particle, meaning "for," "because," "that." It introduces a reason or explanation.
• terem (טֶרֶם): An archaic negative particle meaning "before," "not yet." It indicates something has not happened.
• yeda‘ (יֵדַע): Root meaning "to know," "to learn," "to recognize." In this context, it refers to intellectual and moral discernment.
• yaldah (יַלְדָּה): "a young girl" or "a maiden." While a literal translation, some scholarly views connect this to the messianic prophecy in chapter 7:14 which speaks of a "virgin" (‘almah - עַלְמָה). The context here emphasizes the lack of understanding in a young child.
• m’us (’מֹא): Third-person masculine singular future of the verb m’s meaning "to despise," "to reject," "to abhor."
• Tov (טוֹב): "good." Implies moral and righteous conduct, as opposed to evil.
• bachir (בָּחִיר): Second-person masculine singular future of the verb bch’ meaning "to choose," "to select." It signifies an active preference for what is right.
• ’arets (’ֶרֶץ): "land," "earth." Here, it specifically refers to the land of Judah, the territory threatened by the northern kingdoms.
• lifney (לִפְנֵי): "before," "in front of." This spatial and temporal preposition connects the age of understanding of the child to the desolation of the land.
• shtey (שְׁתֵּי): "two." Refers to the two kings mentioned implicitly by their respective kingdoms of Syria and Israel.

Word Group Analysis:

• "terem yeda‘ m’us et-ra‘ uvachir et-hhatov" (טֶרֶם יֵדַע מָאֵס אֶת-רָע וּבָחִיר אֶת-הַטּוֹב): "before he knows to refuse evil and choose good." This phrase encapsulates the concept of dawning moral awareness. It describes a stage of childhood where the capacity for making moral distinctions is still developing. The parallel between refusing "evil" (ra‘) and choosing "good" (tov) highlights the foundational nature of moral understanding. This anticipates a deeper understanding of sin and righteousness, ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who perfectly refused evil and chose good.

Isaiah 7 16 Bonus Section

The timing established here, linked to a child's understanding, serves a dual prophetic purpose. Firstly, it reassures King Ahaz and Judah of immediate deliverance from the current military threat. Secondly, it foreshadows a greater deliverance that will come through a descendant who will perfectly embody righteousness. The concept of a child's moral awakening echoes throughout scripture, highlighting the innate capacity for moral understanding given by God, which can be corrupted by sin or perfectly expressed in Christ. This verse, therefore, not only provides historical context but also theological depth concerning divine judgment and salvation through a chosen representative.

Isaiah 7 16 Commentary

This verse establishes a timeframe for the immediate deliverance of Judah from the Syrian-Israelite alliance. The critical point is that God's intervention will occur before the child prophesied in verse 14 reaches the age of discerning right from wrong. This means the threat will be neutralized quickly, within a child's maturation period, which traditionally meant within a few years. The focus on "knowing to refuse evil and choose good" points to a fundamental moral development. This isn't merely intellectual knowledge but a moral capacity. This capacity for moral discernment is, in a broader theological sense, perfected in Christ. He, the Child of whom Isaiah speaks, always did the Father’s will, perfectly refusing evil and choosing good, thus fulfilling God’s plan and securing salvation. The immediacy of the prophecy underscores God's ability to act swiftly to protect His people when they turn to Him.