Isaiah 7:15
He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that Immanuel will be nourished in a very ordinary, human way. This isn't just about food; it points to his real humanity, showing that even God-with-us experiences the process of growing up and learning to discern right from wrong like any other child.
The prophet Isaiah is delivering a message to King Ahaz of Judah, who is facing an imminent invasion by the combined forces of Syria and Israel. God offers Ahaz a sign to confirm His promise of deliverance, but Ahaz, in his unbelief, refuses to ask for one. God then declares He will provide His own sign: a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, meaning "God with us." This child's upbringing, eating simple food like curdled milk and honey, signifies a return to normalcy and peace in the land.
The mention of 'curds and honey' might sound like a hardship, but it points to something much more hopeful. What does this food truly signify?
While some interpretations suggest 'curds and honey' represent scarce food during a time of invasion, the primary understanding within the context of Isaiah 7 is a sign of plenty and restored peace.
This isn't just any child; he's Immanuel, 'God with us.' Yet, the text emphasizes his ordinary growth. What does this tell us about Jesus?
The prophecy about Immanuel eating 'curds and honey' until he knows to 'refuse the evil and choose the good' powerfully underscores his genuine humanity.
Understand the original words
ra' · Hebrew Noun
An ethical or moral framework of what is detrimental, wicked, or contrary to God's will; it stands in opposition to that which is righteous or pleasing to God.
towb · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
That which conforms to the standards of God, is morally upright, or fulfills His purposes; it represents the path of obedience and divine wisdom.
The prophecy of Immanuel's birth is given during a time of intense national crisis. The specific mention of curdled milk and honey highlights that even amidst war and invasion, the land will eventually recover enough for such simple, natural foods to be abundant again, signifying restored peace and provision before the child reaches an age of moral discernment.
c. 734 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War Begins
Rezin of Damascus and Pekah of Israel invade Judah, attempting to depose King Ahaz and install their own candidate. Ahaz is terrified and seeks alliance with Assyria.
c. 734 BC
Assyrian Alliance Sought
King Ahaz of Judah appeals to Assyria for help against the invading forces of Syria and Israel, offering tribute.
c. 734-732 BC
Siege of Jerusalem
The combined forces of Syria and Israel lay siege to Jerusalem, creating immense fear and distress for King Ahaz and the people of Judah.
c. 732 BC
Fall of Damascus
Assyrian forces under Tiglath-Pileser III conquer Damascus, the capital of Syria, and deport its population. This effectively ends the threat from Rezin.
This passage sets the stage for humanity's moral capacity, which is directly contrasted in Isaiah with the child's ability to discern good from evil.
Deuteronomy 1:39This verse uses the same language of 'knowing good and evil' to describe children, highlighting the natural progression of moral understanding that Isaiah's child will also experience.
Proverbs 1:10-19This passage describes the destructive consequences of choosing evil, providing a thematic contrast to the Immanuel child's destined 'choosing of the good'.
Matthew 11:18-19This New Testament passage directly links John the Baptist and Jesus, highlighting their different approaches to life and ministry, and showing how they were perceived in relation to choosing good and evil.
1 Corinthians 1:20This verse speaks of God's wisdom in contrast to human wisdom, paralleling the profound nature of Immanuel, who embodies God's wisdom in choosing the good.
barnesIsaiah 7:15: "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good."
Butter and honey - The word rendered "butter" (חמאה chem'âh), denotes not butter, but thick and curdled milk. This was the common mode of using milk as an article of food in the East, and is still. In no passage in the Old Testament does butter seem to be meant by the word. Jarchi says, that this circumstance denotes a state of plenty, meaning that the land should yield its usual increase n…
jfbIsaiah 7:15: "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good."
- Butter—rather, curdled milk, the acid of which is grateful in the heat of the East (Job 20:17).honey—abundant in Palestine (Jud 14:8; 1Sa 14:25; Mt 3:4). Physicians directed that the first food given to a child should be honey, the next milk [Barnabas, Epistle]. Horsley takes this as implying the real humanity of the Immanuel Jesus Christ, about to be fed as other infants (Lu 2:52). Isa 7…
The verse highlights that Immanuel will be nourished in a very ordinary, human way. This isn't just about food; it points to his real humanity, showing that even God-with-us experiences the process of growing up and learning to discern right from wrong like any other child.
The prophet Isaiah is delivering a message to King Ahaz of Judah, who is facing an imminent invasion by the combined forces of Syria and Israel. God offers Ahaz a sign to confirm His promise of deliverance, but Ahaz, in his unbelief, refuses to ask for one. God then declares He will provide His own sign: a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, meaning "God with us." This child's upbringing, eating simple food like curdled milk and honey, signifies a return to normalcy and peace in the land.
The prophet Isaiah is delivering a message to King Ahaz of Judah, who is facing an imminent invasion by the combined forces of Syria and Israel. God offers Ahaz a sign to confirm His promise of deliverance, but Ahaz, in his unbelief, refuses to ask for one. God then declares He will provide His own sign: a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel, meaning "God with us." This child's upbringing, eating simple food like curdled milk and honey, signifies a return to normalcy and peace in the land.
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c. 732 BC
Northern Kingdom Conquered
Pekah, king of Israel, is assassinated and replaced by Hoshea, who becomes a vassal of Assyria. The northern kingdom of Israel is severely weakened and will eventually fall.
c. 732 BC— this verse
Immanuel's Birth and Early Years
The prophet Isaiah is told that a virgin will conceive and bear a son, Immanuel. The child will eat curdled milk and honey until he is old enough to discern good from evil, a period estimated to be around 2-3 years.
"He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good." — The verse highlights that Immanuel will be nourished in a very ordinary, human way. This isn't just about food; it points to his real humanity, showing that even God-with-us experiences the process o…
