Isaiah 7:9

Translations

Modern

The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.’”

Traditional

And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

Literal

And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you do not stand firm in faith, surely you will not stand firm.’”

Latin

…et caput Ephraim Samaria, et caput Samariæ filius Romeliæ. Si non credideritis, non permanebitis.

Original

Hebrew

English

The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.’”

Notes

Isaiah 7:9

The last sentence is a play on two Hebrew words: If you do not stand firm (te’amenu) in your faith (ta’aminu), you will not stand at all. Firm trust in the Lord is essential, especially for a leader of God's people (see also 2 Chronicles 20:20). Leaders must act on their faith to show it exists.

Ahaz and the people of his time trusted Assyria, their enemy, instead of trusting God. They looked for help from a foreign power rather than from the Lord.

Later, King Hezekiah faced a similar threat. In that situation, he showed faith in the Lord (see Isaiah 36–38).

Isaiah 7:1–39:8

In this long section of the book, the nation of Israel was confronted with a vision of God, similar to how Isaiah was confronted in chapter 6.

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 Trusting God in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Romans 11:20
That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
2 Chronicles 20:20
Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”
1 John 5:10
Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.
Acts 27:25
So take courage, men, for I believe God that it will happen just as He told me.
Isaiah 30:12–14
Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says: “Because you have rejected this message, trusting in oppression and relying on deceit,
Isaiah 8:6–8
“Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and the son of Remaliah,
1 Kings 16:24–29
He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city there, calling it Samaria after the name of Shemer, who had owned the hill.
Acts 27:11
But contrary to Paul’s advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship.
2 Kings 15:27
In the fifty-second year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twenty years.

People

Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel Remaliah: Father of Pekah, king of Israel

Places

Samaria: Capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel; Samaritan inhabitants

Glossary

Ahaz (King) Alliance Calah David Head Immanuel Isaiah, Book of Pekah Remaliah Rezin

Topics

Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Called the Head of Ephraim Armies: March in Ranks: Confederated Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Applied to the Ten Tribes Pekah: Prophecies Against Protection: Withdrawn from The: Unbelieving Rezin: A King of Syria Who Harassed the Southern Kingdom (Judah): Prophecy Against Samaria: Country of Syria: Prophecies Concerning Tribe of Ephraim: The Leading Tribe of the Kingdom of Israel Unbelief: General Scriptures Concerning Unbelief: They Who are Guilty of Shall not be Established

Isaiah 7:9

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Original?

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Events?

Related verses?

People

Places

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics