Isaiah 7:12

Translations

Modern

But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.”

Traditional

But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.

Literal

And Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not test YHWH.”

Latin

Et dixit Achaz: Non petam, et non tentabo Dominum.

Original

Hebrew

English

But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.”

Notes

Isaiah 7:12

I will not test the LORD: Ahaz’s answer sounded respectful and faithful (based on Deuteronomy 6:16. However, Ahaz was likely already speaking with the Assyrians. He had probably already decided to trust them for help in this war. His response sounded spiritual and proper, but his actions showed that he did not plan to trust the Lord.

Isaiah 7:1–25

At one point in his reign, Ahaz faced a serious crisis. The kings of Syria and Israel attacked Judah. They planned to remove Ahaz and force Judah to join them in resisting Assyria.

Instead of trusting the Lord, Ahaz asked Assyria for help (2 Kings 16:7–10). By doing this, he rejected Isaiah’s call to trust in God (Isaiah 7:12).

The Assyrians defeated Syria and Israel. In time, both nations fell. However, Assyria later turned against Judah and sought to control it completely.

Isaiah 7:1–12:6

These prophecies occurred when Assyria rose to power. Syria and Israel formed an alliance against Judah (Isaiah 7:1–2; see 2 Kings 16:5). God used Assyria as a tool to punish Syria, Israel, and Judah (Isaiah 7–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Ahaz Isaiah Fearing People Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Ezekiel 33:31
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
Acts 5:9
“How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter replied. “Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
2 Chronicles 28:22
In the time of his distress, King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD.
2 Kings 16:15
Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land. Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance.”
Deuteronomy 6:16
Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.
Malachi 3:15
So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”
1 Corinthians 10:9
We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.

Parallels

Matthew 1:18–25

People

Ahaz: King of Judah, son of Jotham

Glossary

Ahaz (King) Calah David Immanuel Isaiah, Book of

Topics

Hypocrisy: Ahaz Pekah: Prophecies Against Syria: Joined with Israel Against Ahaz and Besieged Jerusalem Syria: Prophecies Concerning Tribe of Ephraim: The Leading Tribe of the Kingdom of Israel

Isaiah 7:12

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