Isaiah 7 22

Isaiah 7:22 kjv

And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.

Isaiah 7:22 nkjv

So it shall be, from the abundance of milk they give, That he will eat curds; For curds and honey everyone will eat who is left in the land.

Isaiah 7:22 niv

And because of the abundance of the milk they give, there will be curds to eat. All who remain in the land will eat curds and honey.

Isaiah 7:22 esv

and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey.

Isaiah 7:22 nlt

Nevertheless, there will be enough milk for everyone because so few people will be left in the land. They will eat their fill of yogurt and honey.

Isaiah 7 verses

Isaiah 7 22 Meaning

This verse describes the practice of eating dairy products and honey by people in the land. This was a result of the abundance provided by God, contrasting with the siege conditions that were predicted. It signifies a return to normalcy and a time of prosperity after the Assyrian threat had passed.

Isaiah 7 22 Context

Isaiah chapter 7 recounts a significant event during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. The kings of Syria and Israel had formed an alliance and were threatening Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah was sent by God to reassure Ahaz, offering a sign to confirm God's promise of deliverance. Isaiah presented the sign of the virgin birth of Immanuel. The subsequent chapters, including chapter 7, speak of future events and judgments, but also of eventual restoration and blessing. Verse 22 specifically describes a post-siege scenario, where the land's produce will be so abundant that people will commonly eat dairy products and honey, foods that might have been scarce during times of conflict or due to Assyrian destruction of farmland. This abundance is a testament to God's faithfulness in restoring His people.

Isaiah 7 22 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (wə·hā·yāh): "And it shall be," or "And it will come to pass." This is a common future-oriented conjunction introducing a prophetic statement or consequence. It signals a shift in time or circumstance.
• כִּֽי־ (kî): "for," "because." Indicates the reason or basis for the subsequent statement. Here, it links the coming abundance to a previous or underlying cause, which is God's deliverance and restoration.
• מִשְׁנֵה (miš·nê): "abundance," "increase," "double portion." Denotes a generous and plentiful quantity. This suggests a surplus beyond mere sufficiency.
• חָלָב (ḥā·lāḇ): "milk." A basic, staple food, often associated with nourishment and infancy (as seen in cross-references). In this context, it signifies the return to normalcy and everyday sustenance, possibly implying the preservation of the dairy herds through the preceding crisis.
• אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer): "which," "that." A relative pronoun connecting the preceding noun ("milk") to the following descriptive clause.
• יַרְבּוּ (yar·bû): "they will give," "they will produce," "they will abound." The root word "rabah" (רָבָּה) means to be or become much or many. Here it points to the fertility of the land and the plentiful yield.
• בְּקִרְבּוֹ (bə·qir·bō): "in the midst of it," "within her." Refers to the land of Judah or its inhabitants.
• מִגְּבֶנֶת (mig·ge·ḇe·neṯ): "curdled milk," "cheese." Another dairy product, also indicating a level of settled agricultural life and production. The specific mention of cheese reinforces the idea of processed dairy, implying a stable society capable of such practices.
• וּדְבַשׁ (ū·ḏə·ḇaš): "and honey." A natural sweetener, symbolizing the land's natural bounty and richness.
• יֹאכֵֽלוּ׃ (yō·’ă·ḵê·lū): "they shall eat." The active verb denotes the consumption of these abundant food items. It emphasizes the personal experience of God's provision.

Words-group by Words-group analysis

• "for the abundance of milk which they shall give": This phrase highlights not just the quantity but the generative power of the land, indicated by "give" or "produce." It paints a picture of sustained yield from the land and its livestock.
• "in the midst of it, curdled milk and honey they shall eat": This grouping combines specific, rich food items consumed within the land. The mention of both "curdled milk" (cheese) and "honey" suggests a prosperity that allows for not only basic sustenance but also the enjoyment of delicacies derived from agricultural activity.

Isaiah 7 22 Bonus Section

The consumption of both milk and honey was culturally significant in ancient Israel. Milk, especially from goats and sheep, was a vital source of protein and fat. Honey, likely date or fig honey, was the primary sweetener. The phrase "land flowing with milk and honey" is a recurring motif in Scripture (e.g., Exodus 3:8) symbolizing the ultimate blessing of the Promised Land. The abundance described here is not just physical provision but a divine endorsement and sign of God's presence and favor. The mention of "curdled milk" or cheese suggests a level of sophistication in their diet and economy, indicating a stable society able to process and preserve food. This abundance is presented as a direct consequence of God’s deliverance, reinforcing the connection between obedience, faithfulness, and blessing.

Isaiah 7 22 Commentary

This verse speaks of God’s promised restoration and the ensuing prosperity. After periods of distress, invasion, and possible destruction, God assures His people that the land will again flourish. The common consumption of milk and honey signifies a return to normalcy, economic stability, and God's abundant blessing upon the land and its people. It contrasts sharply with the scarcity and fear that often accompany war and invasion. This imagery of rich, natural bounty is a recurring theme in God's promises to His people, pointing towards times of peace and favor. The fulfillment of this promise is seen in the period after national crises when God re-establishes His covenant blessings.