Isaiah 7:18
Isaiah 7:18 in Multiple Translations
On that day the LORD will whistle to the flies at the farthest streams of the Nile and to the bees in the land of Assyria.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
And it will be in that day that the Lord will make a piping sound for the fly which is in the end of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee which is in the land of Assyria.
At that time the Lord will whistle to call flies from the distant rivers of Egypt and bees from the country of Assyria.
And in that day shall the Lord hisse for the flie that is at the vttermost part of the floods of Egypt, and for the bee which is in the lande of Asshur,
And it hath come to pass, in that day, Jehovah doth hiss for a fly that [is] in the extremity of the brooks of Egypt, And for a bee that [is] in the land of Asshur.
It will happen in that day that the LORD will whistle for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD will hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall hiss for the fly, that is in the uttermost parts of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
At that time, it will be as though Yahweh will whistle to summon the army from the south of Egypt as well as the army of Assyria. They will come and surround your country like [MET] flies and bees.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 7:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 7:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיָ֣ה
בַּ/יּ֣וֹם
הַ/ה֗וּא
יִשְׁרֹ֤ק
יְהוָה֙
לַ/זְּב֔וּב
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
בִּ/קְצֵ֖ה
יְאֹרֵ֣י
מִצְרָ֑יִם
וְ/לַ֨/דְּבוֹרָ֔ה
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
בְּ/אֶ֥רֶץ
אַשּֽׁוּר
וְ/הָיָ֣ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
בַּ/יּ֣וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Prep | N-ms
הַ/ה֗וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Art | Pron
יִשְׁרֹ֤ק
shâraq
H8319
to whistle
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
יְהוָה֙
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
לַ/זְּב֔וּב
zᵉbûwb
H2070
fly
Prep | N-ms
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
בִּ/קְצֵ֖ה
qâtseh
H7097
end
Prep | N-cs
יְאֹרֵ֣י
yᵉʼôr
H2975
stream
N-mp
מִצְרָ֑יִם
Mitsrayim
H4714
Egypt
N-proper
וְ/לַ֨/דְּבוֹרָ֔ה
dᵉbôwrâh
H1682
bee
Conj | Prep | N-fs
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
בְּ/אֶ֥רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
אַשּֽׁוּר
ʼAshshûwr
H804
Asshur
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 7:18
וְ/הָיָ֣ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בַּ/יּ֣וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הַ/ה֗וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
יִשְׁרֹ֤ק
shâraq
H8319
"to whistle"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To whistle or hiss is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used to express scorn or call out to someone. In the Bible, it appears in books like Job and Jeremiah, often as a sign of derision or warning.
Definition: 1) to hiss, whistle, pipe 1a) (Qal) to hiss (as a signal)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: hiss. See also: 1 Kings 9:8; Jeremiah 50:13; Isaiah 5:26.
יְהוָה֙
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
לַ/זְּב֔וּב
zᵉbûwb
H2070
"fly"
Prep | N-ms
Zebub means fly, especially one of a stinging nature. It is mentioned in the Bible as a type of insect. The word Zebub is used to describe a flying pest.
Definition: fly
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: fly. See also: Ecclesiastes 10:1; Isaiah 7:18.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
בִּ/קְצֵ֖ה
qâtseh
H7097
"end"
Prep | N-cs
In the book of Joshua, this word refers to an end or border of a territory. It can also mean the edge or brink of something. This concept is used to describe the boundaries of the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) end, extremity 1a) end, mouth, extremity 1b) border, outskirts 1c) the whole (condensed term for what is included within extremities) 1d) at the end of (a certain time) Also means: qe.tseh (קֵ֫צֶה "end" H7097B)
Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, border, brim, brink, edge, end, (in-) finite, frontier, outmost coast, quarter, shore, (out-) side, [idiom] some, ut(-ter-) most (part). See also: Genesis 8:3; Judges 7:19; Psalms 19:5.
יְאֹרֵ֣י
yᵉʼôr
H2975
"stream"
N-mp
A stream or river, like the Nile, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a canal, watercourse, or even a mining shaft, emphasizing the flow of water.
Definition: 1) river, stream, canal, Nile, Nile-canal 1a) stream, river (Nile) 1b) Nile-arms, Nile-canals 1c) watercourses 1d) shafts (mining) 1e) river (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream. See also: Genesis 41:1; Psalms 78:44; Isaiah 7:18.
מִצְרָ֑יִם
Mitsrayim
H4714
"Egypt"
N-proper
This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.
Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.
וְ/לַ֨/דְּבוֹרָ֔ה
dᵉbôwrâh
H1682
"bee"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This word simply means bee in Hebrew, often symbolizing community and hard work, as seen in Judges 14:8 where Samson finds a beehive.
Definition: bee
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: bee. See also: Deuteronomy 1:44; Psalms 118:12; Isaiah 7:18.
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
בְּ/אֶ֥רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
אַשּֽׁוּר
ʼAshshûwr
H804
"Asshur"
N-proper
Asshur was the second son of Shem and the ancestor of the Assyrians, mentioned in Genesis 10:22. The name Asshur means 'a step'.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.22; son of: Shem (H8035); brother of: Elam (H5867C), Arpachshad (H0775), Lud (H3865) and Aram (H0758) § Asshur or Assyria = "a step" 1) the second son of Shem, eponymous ancestor of the Assyrians 2) the people of Assyria 3) the nation, Assyria 4) the land, Assyria or Asshur
Usage: Occurs in 138 OT verses. KJV: Asshur, Assur, Assyria, Assyrians. See H838 (אָשֻׁר). See also: Genesis 2:14; Isaiah 7:20; Psalms 83:9.
Study Notes — Isaiah 7:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 7:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 7:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 7:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 7:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 7:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 7:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 7:18
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 7:18
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 7:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 7:18
- Sermons on Isaiah 7:18
Context — Judgment to Come
16For before the boy knows enough to reject evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
17The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since the day Ephraim separated from Judah—He will bring the king of Assyria.”
18On that day the LORD will whistle to the flies at the farthest streams of the Nile and to the bees in the land of Assyria.
19And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines and clefts of the rocks, in all the thornbushes and watering holes. 20On that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates —the king of Assyria—to shave your head and the hair of your legs, and to remove your beard as well.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 5:26 | He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come! |
| 2 | Joshua 24:12 | I sent the hornet ahead of you, and it drove out the two Amorite kings before you, but not by your own sword or bow. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 1:44 | Then the Amorites who lived in the hills came out against you and chased you like a swarm of bees. They routed you from Seir all the way to Hormah. |
| 4 | Isaiah 31:1 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 7:20 | Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet against them until even the survivors hiding from you have perished. |
| 6 | 2 Kings 23:33–34 | And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died. |
| 7 | Isaiah 7:17 | The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since the day Ephraim separated from Judah—He will bring the king of Assyria.” |
| 8 | Exodus 8:24 | And the LORD did so. Thick swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials. Throughout Egypt the land was ruined by swarms of flies. |
| 9 | Psalms 118:12 | They swarmed around me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off. |
| 10 | Isaiah 13:5 | They are coming from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens— the LORD and the weapons of His wrath— to destroy the whole country. |
Isaiah 7:18 Summary
In Isaiah 7:18, the Lord is saying that He has the power to call upon even the smallest creatures to do His bidding, just like He can call upon armies to execute His judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 25:9. This verse is telling us that the Lord is all-powerful and can use anything to accomplish His purposes, whether it's a tiny fly or a massive army, as mentioned in Proverbs 21:1. The Lord is in control of everything, and we can trust in His power and sovereignty, just as it is written in Psalm 103:19. This verse is a reminder to us to trust in the Lord's power and to fear His judgment, as warned in Hebrews 10:31.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the Lord to whistle to the flies and bees in Isaiah 7:18?
This verse is a symbolic representation of the Lord's power to summon and command even the smallest of creatures, as seen in Isaiah 7:18, to accomplish His purposes, much like He did in Exodus 23:28 where He used hornets to drive out the inhabitants of the land before the Israelites.
Why are the farthest streams of the Nile and the land of Assyria mentioned specifically?
The mention of these locations in Isaiah 7:18 highlights the extent of the Lord's reach and power, from the southernmost part of Egypt to the northern kingdom of Assyria, demonstrating His ability to bring judgment and destruction to all nations, as prophesied in Isaiah 13:1-22.
Is this verse a prediction of a literal invasion of flies and bees?
While the verse uses the imagery of flies and bees, it is likely a metaphorical representation of the Lord's judgment and the invading armies that will come to punish the nations, as seen in the context of Isaiah 7:17-20, where the king of Assyria is mentioned as the instrument of the Lord's judgment.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Isaiah 7:18 is part of a larger prophecy about the judgment that will come upon the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, as well as the surrounding nations, as a result of their disobedience and idolatry, as warned in Deuteronomy 28:1-68 and Isaiah 1:1-31.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about the Lord's power and authority over all creation?
- How does the imagery of the flies and bees in this verse make you think about the Lord's ability to accomplish His purposes?
- What does this verse teach us about the Lord's judgment and how it will be executed?
- How can we apply the lesson of this verse to our own lives, in terms of trusting in the Lord's power and sovereignty?
- What does this verse say about the Lord's control over the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 7:18
And it shall come to pass in that day,.... the time when those evil days before spoken of should take place: [that] the Lord shall hiss for the fly that [is] in the uttermost part of the rivers of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 7:18
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 7:18
In that day; known to God, and appointed by him for the execution of these judgments. Shall hiss: See Poole "". The fly; the flies. So he calls these enemies, to imply either their great numbers, or their speedy march, or their unavoidable assault. In the uttermost part; in, or near, or towards their extremity or end, where they go out into the sea. Of the rivers; of the river Nilus, which may be called rivers, either for its greatness, for which cause the title of rivers is given also to Euphrates, , and to Tigris, ; or because, towards the end of it, it is divided into seven famous streams, by which it emptieth itself into the midland sea, . He seems plainly to design and describe the Egyptians, who were always dangerous neighbours to Judah, and did probably animate and assist the Philistines, and Edomites, and others against them, and at last made a formal invasion and conquest of their land, , &c. Besides, when the Chaldeans had in good measure subdued the Egyptians, it is very probable that great numbers of the Egyptian soldiers did list themselves in the Chaldean army, and with them invade the land of Judah. The bee; the bees, the Assyrian army, who are compared to bees, as for their numerous forces and orderly march, so for their fierce attempts and mischievous effects. In the land of Assyria; in the empire of Assyria, or Babylon; for these two were united into one empire, and therefore in Scripture are promiscuously called sometimes by one title, and sometimes by the other.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 7:18
Isaiah 7:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the LORD shall hiss for the fly that [is] in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that [is] in the land of Assyria.Ver. 18. The Lord will hiss for the fly, &c.] Out of Egypt and the confines. The people of which parts are fitly called flies, say expositors, for their numerosity, swiftness, stench, impudence, harsh language, ob vocis absonae stridorem. The country being hot, and lying low, aboundeth with flies aad gnats, such as proud Pharaoh was vexed with. And for the bee that is in Assyria.] That country is full of woods, and so of bees, to which also the Assyrians are fitly compared, as for their numerousness, their military skill and comely marshalling of their forces; their golden armour, their industry and constance in battle; so for their force and fury especially. Virgil, speaking of bees, saith - “ Illis ira modum superat, laesaeque venenum Inspirant stimulis, et vitam in vulnere linquunt. ” See the Babylonical fierceness and cruelty graphically described. It was so much the greater, because sent for and set on they were by God’ s hiss or whistle.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 7:18
(18) The Lord shall hiss for the fly . . .—See for the phrase the Note on Isaiah 5:26. The legions of Egypt are represented by the flies that swarmed on the banks of the Nile (Exodus 8:24, and possibly Isaiah 18:1), those of Assyria by the bees of their forests and their hills (Deuteronomy 1:44; Psalms 118:12). The mention of Egypt indicates that some of the king’s counsellors were then, as afterwards (Isaiah 18:2; Isaiah 31:1), planning an Egyptian alliance, as others were relying on that with Assyria. The prophet tells them that each is fraught with danger. No help and much evil would come from such plans. Consistent in his policy from first to last, the one counsel he gives is that men should practise righteousness, and wait upon the Lord. The uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt.—The phrase points to the whole extent of the Delta of the Nile, probably to the whole Egyptian course of the Nile itself. Historically the prophecy found its fulfilment in the invasion of Pharaoh Necho in the reign of Josiah (2 Kings 23:29), or, nearer Isaiah’s time, in the movements of Tirhakah’s arms (2 Kings 19:9).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 7:18
Verse 18. Hiss for the fly - "Hist the fly"] See Clarke on Isaiah 5:26. Egypt, and - Assyria.] Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, Pharaoh-necho, and Nebuchadnezzar, who one after another desolated Judea.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 7:18
18–25. Further announcements (not addressed to Ahaz, but probably compiled from fragments of several of Isaiah’s prophecies) of the Assyrian invasion (18–20) and its consequences (21–25).
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 7:18
In that day the Lord shall hiss - see the note at Isaiah 5:26. For the fly - That is, for the army, or the multitude of people. The comparison of a numerous army with “flies” is not uncommon; see Homer’s “Iliad,” B. ii. 469, etc.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 7:18
18. It is not necessary to suppose that the piece of prophecy commencing here was delivered at the same time with the preceding, but it is on the same subject and in a similar strain.
Sermons on Isaiah 7:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Word in a Recession by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of placing our confidence solely in God, rather than in worldly possessions or external factors. He warns against being foole |
|
Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 3 by Alan Cairns | This sermon delves into the prophetic lamentation of the impending destruction of Pharaoh, his armies, and the great Egyptian nation, challenging the false hope placed in Egypt's m |
|
(The Word for Today) Isaiah 31:1 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the situation in which the people of Jerusalem find themselves. The Assyrian army, known for their cruelty, is conquering cities and mo |
|
Trusting God in Stead of Man by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher begins by praying for the words spoken to be transformed from water into wine, symbolizing a powerful and impactful message. The preacher then discusse |
|
|
Look to God and Not to Egypt by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of trusting in God rather than relying on worldly wealth and success. He shares a story about a visit from an older person who |
|
The Spirit of Egypt - Part 1 by Joshua Daniel | This sermon reflects on a time of imminent danger during the Japanese invasion of Madras, where the speaker's father used the opportunity to preach the gospel. It emphasizes seekin |
|
Gone Down Into Egypt by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer explores Abram's journey into Egypt during a famine in Canaan, emphasizing the challenges faced by those who separate themselves for God's purpose. He highlights the imp |