Isaiah 7:13
And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's often missed is the sharp contrast Isaiah draws between "men" and "my God." He's not just saying Ahaz is bothering people; he's escalating the offense. Ahaz and the house of David are so accustomed to wearing down prophets and good people with their stubbornness and idolatry that they've forgotten their actions are a direct affront to God Himself.
King Ahaz and the "house of David" (meaning the royal court and leadership) are facing an invasion from Syria and Israel. After rejecting the prophet Isaiah's offer to ask for a sign from God to prove His promised protection, Isaiah confronts them for their distrust, equating their weariness of God's messengers with weariness of God Himself. God, however, will provide His own sign of deliverance, a promise that leads into the prophecy of Immanuel.
When you push people to their limit, you might just be pushing God's limit too. This verse has a powerful reminder about who we're really dealing with.
Isaiah is confronting the House of David, specifically King Ahaz, because they've rejected God's offered sign of assurance. They've exhausted the prophet's patience and now they're challenging God's.
More Than Human Annoyance
This shows us that our actions have eternal weight. When we stubbornly refuse God's truth or His help, we're not just inconveniencing ourselves or others; we're directly challenging the Almighty.
The shift in who the prophet is addressing – from 'the Lord thy God' to 'my God' – is subtle but profound. What does this personal claim reveal?
In Isaiah 7:11, God, through Isaiah, says, 'Ask a sign of the Lord your God.' But by verse 13, after Ahaz’s blatant refusal, Isaiah shifts the language.
A Divine Claim of Ownership
Understand the original words
bayith David · Hebrew Noun phrase
The royal lineage established by God through King David, to whom the eternal kingship of Israel and the future Messianic promise were entrusted.
la'ah · Hebrew Verb
To cause distress, burden, or frustration; in a theological sense, it refers to human rebellion or stubbornness that grieves the heart of God.
Isaiah's prophecy to King Ahaz unfolds during a critical military crisis where Judah faces invasion from the northern kingdom of Israel and its ally, Syria. The prophet's bold words, contrasting the 'house of David's' weariness of men with their potential to weary God, highlight the spiritual rebellion behind the political and military threat.
c. 734 BC— this verse
Syrian-Israeli Invasion of Judah
Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel invade Judah, besieging Jerusalem and aiming to depose King Ahaz.
c. 734-733 BC
Ahaz Appeals to Assyria
Facing defeat, Ahaz seeks military aid from the Neo-Assyrian Empire, setting a precedent for future Assyrian involvement in Judah.
c. 732 BC
Fall of Damascus
Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III conquers Damascus, capital of Syria, ending Rezin's threat to Judah.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Neo-Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria), exiling its people and ending its existence as a distinct nation.
barnesIsaiah 7:13: "And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?"
O house of David - Isaiah 7:2 . By this is to be understood not only the king himself, but the princes and rulers. Perhaps in addressing him thus, there was implied no small irony and reproach. David confided in God. But "Ahaz," his descendant, feared to "tempt" God! As if God could not aid him! Worthy descendant he of the pious and devoted David! Is it a small thi…
jfbIsaiah 7:13: "And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?"
- Is it a small thing?—Is it not enough for you (Nu 16:9)? The allusion to "David" is in order to contrast his trust in God with his degenerate descendant Ahaz' distrust.weary—try the patience of.men—prophets. Isaiah as yet had given no outward proof that he was from God; but now God has offered a sign, which Ahaz publicly rejects. The sin is therefore now not me…
What's often missed is the sharp contrast Isaiah draws between "men" and "my God." He's not just saying Ahaz is bothering people; he's escalating the offense. Ahaz and the house of David are so accustomed to wearing down prophets and good people with their stubbornness and idolatry that they've forgotten their actions are a direct affront to God Himself.
King Ahaz and the "house of David" (meaning the royal court and leadership) are facing an invasion from Syria and Israel. After rejecting the prophet Isaiah's offer to ask for a sign from God to prove His promised protection, Isaiah confronts them for their distrust, equating their weariness of God's messengers with weariness of God Himself. God, however, will provide His own sign of deliverance, a promise that leads into the prophecy of Immanuel.
King Ahaz and the "house of David" (meaning the royal court and leadership) are facing an invasion from Syria and Israel. After rejecting the prophet Isaiah's offer to ask for a sign from God to prove His promised protection, Isaiah confronts them for their distrust, equating their weariness of God's messengers with weariness of God Himself. God, however, will provide His own sign of deliverance, a promise that leads into the prophecy of Immanuel.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 7:13 is available in the Sola app.
This shift highlights the prophet's deep conviction. He isn’t just delivering a message; he is representing God, standing firmly on His side. It’s a powerful reminder that our faith should make us bold advocates for God, even when others reject Him.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many cities but failing to take Jerusalem, an event prophesied by Isaiah.
"And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?" — What's often missed is the sharp contrast Isaiah draws between "men" and "my God." He's not just saying Ahaz is bothering people; he's escalating the offense. Ahaz and the house of David are so accus…
