Isaiah 7:10-12
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Even though Ahaz had just rejected God's assurance (implied in verse 9), the Lord, in His persistent grace, speaks again. This repetition underscores that God doesn't give up easily; He offers Ahaz a further opportunity for faith, even when a king has shown clear defiance.
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After delivering a message of reassurance and a stark warning to King Ahaz, the Lord speaks again through Isaiah, offering the king a chance to request a miraculous sign to confirm God's promise. Ahaz, however, proudly refuses this offer, claiming he will not test the Lord, revealing his deep-seated unbelief and reliance on other powers.
Even when we're not listening, God keeps speaking. But what happens when we refuse to hear?
After delivering a message and a warning through Isaiah (verses 4-9), the Lord doesn't give up on King Ahaz. The phrase 'spake again' emphasizes God's persistent pursuit of Ahaz's heart.
Unwavering Divine Initiative
God initiates the conversation, not Ahaz. This isn't a one-sided relationship; God actively seeks to connect, even with those who are resistant. He offers a choice: 'Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God' (verse 11).
The Tragedy of Rejection
Ahaz's response, 'I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord' (verse 12), is a masterpiece of spiritual evasion. He cloaks his fear and unbelief in piety, refusing the very sign God offers to solidify faith. This isn't true humility but a rejection of God's grace and an unwillingness to truly engage.
Why does God offer signs? It's not just to prove He's real, but to strengthen our faith in His promises.
The offer of a 'sign' in Isaiah 7:11 is a crucial element. It wasn't merely a magic trick or a way to satisfy idle curiosity. God offered it to provide tangible, undeniable proof of His word and His presence.
A Seal on God's Promise
Commentators note that signs in Scripture often function as a 'seal' on God's promises, making His word more concrete and believable. When Ahaz refused to ask for a sign, he wasn't just being humble; he was rejecting the very confirmation God offered.
Ask a follow-up
Faith, Not Spectacle
While God's power is evident in miracles, the ultimate goal isn't a spectacle but the building of faith. Ahaz's refusal demonstrates a deep-seated unwillingness to trust God, preferring his own political schemes over divine assurance.
Understand the original words
'owth · Hebrew Noun
A manifestation, miracle, or prophetic event intended to authenticate a divine message, confirm a promise, or serve as a visible token of God's authority and intervention in human history.
she'owl · Hebrew Noun
The abode of the dead, the underworld, or the place of the departed; it represents the deepest depths of the created order, often used in contrast to the heights of heaven to denote the totality of existence.
nacah · Hebrew Verb
To put to the test, to prove, or to tempt; in a negative sense, it refers to challenging God's faithfulness or power, thereby demanding that He prove Himself rather than trusting His revealed word.
Ahaz's refusal to ask for a sign from God, even when offered a miraculous choice, highlights his deep distrust and reliance on political alliances over divine intervention, setting the stage for both immediate judgment on his enemies and the ultimate, albeit delayed, fulfillment of God's promise of salvation through Immanuel.
c. 734 BC
Syro-Ephraimitic War Begins
Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel form an alliance and attack Judah, seeking to depose King Ahaz and install their own candidate. They lay siege to Jerusalem but fail to conquer it.
c. 734 BC
Isaiah Meets Ahaz at the Conduit
The LORD sends Isaiah and his son Shear-jashub to meet King Ahaz, who is inspecting Jerusalem's defenses, and to deliver a message of reassurance and a call to faith.
c. 734 BC— this verse
Ahaz Rejects God's Offer of a Sign
Isaiah offers Ahaz a sign from the LORD to confirm His promise of deliverance. Ahaz, unwilling to trust God and fearing Assyria, refuses to ask for a sign, claiming he will not 'test the LORD'.
c. 734 BC
The Sign of Immanuel Prophesied
In response to Ahaz's refusal, the LORD Himself provides a sign: a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel ('God with us').
c. 734 BC
Prophecy of Immanuel's Birth and Enemy's Fall
Isaiah declares that before this child can distinguish between good and evil (within a few years), the lands of Syria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel will be devastated and their kings overthrown.
c. 733 BC
Ahaz Appeals to Assyria
Despite the prophecy, King Ahaz, instead of trusting the LORD, sends tribute to Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria, requesting military aid against Syria and Israel. This marks the beginning of Assyrian dominance over Judah.
c. 732 BC
Fall of Damascus and End of the War
The Assyrians conquer Damascus, capital of Syria, and kill Rezin. Pekah of Israel is also assassinated, and the Syro-Ephraimitic threat to Jerusalem ends, though Judah becomes an Assyrian vassal.
This verse is the divine initiative in offering salvation and a sign, mirroring John 3:16 where God's love is demonstrated by sending His Son, emphasizing God's active role in reaching out to humanity.
Matthew 1:23This verse directly quotes and applies Isaiah's prophecy of Immanuel, showing the fulfillment of God's promise in the birth of Jesus and highlighting the significance of the sign given to Ahaz.
Hebrews 4:15Isaiah 7:10 marks a moment where God speaks directly to a king in distress, similar to how Jesus, as the high priest, can sympathize with our weaknesses, as mentioned in Hebrews 4:15, connecting divine communication with human experience.
Jeremiah 31:31-34The context of God speaking again to Ahaz after a rejection echoes Jeremiah's prophecy of a new covenant, illustrating God's persistent faithfulness and His plan to write His laws on our hearts, even when people fail to trust Him.
pooleIsaiah 7:10: "Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,"
No text from Poole on this verse.
henryIsaiah 7:10-16: "Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,"
7:10-16 Secret disaffection to God is often disguised with the colour of respect to him; and those who are resolved that they will not trust God, yet pretend they will not tempt him. The prophet reproved Ahaz and his court, for the little value they had for Divine revelation. Nothing is more grievous to God than distrust, but the unbelief of man shall not make the promise of God of no effect; the Lord himself shall give a sign.…
Even though Ahaz had just rejected God's assurance (implied in verse 9), the Lord, in His persistent grace, speaks again. This repetition underscores that God doesn't give up easily; He offers Ahaz a further opportunity for faith, even when a king has shown clear defiance.
After delivering a message of reassurance and a stark warning to King Ahaz, the Lord speaks again through Isaiah, offering the king a chance to request a miraculous sign to confirm God's promise. Ahaz, however, proudly refuses this offer, claiming he will not test the Lord, revealing his deep-seated unbelief and reliance on other powers.
After delivering a message of reassurance and a stark warning to King Ahaz, the Lord speaks again through Isaiah, offering the king a chance to request a miraculous sign to confirm God's promise. Ahaz, however, proudly refuses this offer, claiming he will not test the Lord, revealing his deep-seated unbelief and reliance on other powers.
"Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.”" — Even though Ahaz had just rejected God's assurance (implied in verse 9), the Lord, in His persistent grace, speaks again. This repetition underscores that God doesn't give up easily; He offers Ahaz…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
