Isaiah 7:1

Ahaz Receives a Sign

7:1 During 1  the reign of Ahaz son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel marched up to Jerusalem 2  to do battle, but they were unable to prevail against it. 3 

Isaiah 7:4

7:4 Tell him, ‘Make sure you stay calm! 4  Don’t be afraid! Don’t be intimidated 5  by these two stubs of smoking logs, 6  or by the raging anger of Rezin, Syria, and the son of Remaliah.

1 tn The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.

2 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

3 tn Or perhaps, “but they were unable to attack it.” This statement sounds like a summary of the whole campaign. The following context explains why they were unable to defeat the southern kingdom. The parallel passage (2 Kgs 16:5; cf. Num 22:11; 1 Sam 17:9 for a similar construction) affirms that Syria and Israel besieged Ahaz. Consequently, the statement that “they were not able to battle against them” must refer to the inability to conquer Ahaz.

4 tn Heb “guard yourself and be quiet,” but the two verbs should be coordinated.

5 tn Heb “and let not your heart be weak”; ASV “neither let thy heart be faint.”

6 sn The derogatory metaphor indicates that the power of Rezin and Pekah is ready to die out.