In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophecy is incredibly specific and unsettling: God will "whistle" for these nations, not as if He commands them with authority, but more like luring swarms of insects or bees. This image highlights that these armies, while devastating, are still ultimately under God's control, acting like pests He can summon and unleash.
In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Ahaz of Judah is facing an invasion from the northern kingdoms of Syria and Israel. In this prophecy, God tells Isaiah that even though these immediate threats will be dealt with, judgment will ultimately come from the powerful empire of Assyria, and also from Egypt, both of which will swarm into Judah. God is essentially saying that reliance on foreign alliances, whether with Egypt or Assyria, will lead to disaster for Judah.
God doesn't need our permission to bring about His purposes. He can use anyone to accomplish His will, even those we might think of as enemies.
In Isaiah 7:18, God is described as 'whistling' for the armies of Egypt and Assyria. This isn't a call to friendly pets; it's a vivid image of God summoning hostile nations.
Why compare powerful armies to flies and bees? It's a picture of overwhelming numbers and relentless irritation.
The choice of a 'fly' and a 'bee' isn't random. These creatures, while small, carry significant symbolic weight that Isaiah uses to describe the nature of the invading armies:
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Understand the original words
bayyôm hahûʾ · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A prophetic expression referring to the future time of divine intervention, judgment, or salvation. It marks a moment when God acts decisively within history to fulfill His redemptive or retributive purposes.
zĕbûb · Hebrew Noun
A metaphor for a foreign power or divine instrument of destruction. In this context, it represents the swarming, persistent, and irritating nature of an invading army sent to bring judgment.
dĕbôrâ · Hebrew Noun
A metaphor for an invading military force, known for their stinging, aggressive, and numerous qualities. It represents a source of national trouble and severe judgment.
This verse paints a vivid picture of God summoning foreign powers as instruments of His judgment. The 'fly' from Egypt and the 'bee' from Assyria represent vast, swarming armies, highlighting how even distant nations are under God's sovereign control, mobilized by His 'whistle' or command.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Expansionist Policy
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Shalmaneser V, aggressively expanded its territories, demanding tribute from smaller kingdoms in the Levant. This created widespread fear and political instability.
c. 734 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War Begins
King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel attempt to force Judah's King Ahaz into an anti-Assyrian alliance. When Ahaz refuses, they invade Judah, besieging Jerusalem.
c. 734-732 BC— this verse
Isaiah's Prophecy to Ahaz
The prophet Isaiah, instructed by God, delivers messages of reassurance and judgment to King Ahaz during the siege. He offers a sign, the sign of the virgin birth, and prophesies the eventual destruction of Syria and Israel.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Intervention
Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria, responding to Ahaz's appeal, invades Syria and captures Damascus, ending the immediate threat from Rezin and Pekah.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) is conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and its people are exiled, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of Ephraim's destruction.
c. 609 BC
Pharaoh Necho's Invasion
Egypt, under Pharaoh Necho II, invades the region, defeating King Josiah of Judah at the Battle of Megiddo. This marks a period of Egyptian influence and conflict in the land.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Conquest of Jerusalem
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, which had conquered the Neo-Assyrian Empire, destroys Jerusalem and exiles the remaining Judean population, marking a final fulfillment of judgment prophecies.
This passage describes one of the plagues of Egypt involving swarms of flies, directly connecting to the imagery of Egypt being called forth like a swarm that troubles and destroys.
Deuteronomy 1:44This verse compares the Amorites to bees that were sent out against Israel, highlighting the imagery of a destructive swarm being called forth, similar to how Assyria is described as a bee in Isaiah.
Psalm 118:12This psalm describes enemies surrounding and cutting down Israel like bees, echoing the aggressive and numerous nature of the Assyrian 'bee' that God summons.
2 Kings 23:33-34This passage details Pharaoh Necho's invasion of Judah and the subsequent Assyrian involvement, directly fulfilling the prophecy of these foreign powers being brought against Judah.
Isaiah 31:1This verse warns against seeking help from Egypt, reinforcing the idea that both Egypt and Assyria, here depicted as dangerous forces, would bring destruction rather than aid to Judah.
barnesIsaiah 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."
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. - Thick as insects play, The wandering nation of a summer's day. That, draw…
jfbIsaiah 7:17-25: "The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria."
Isa 7:17-25. Fatal Consequences of Ahaz' Assyrian Policy.Though temporary deliverance (Isa 7:16; 8:4) was to be given then, and final deliverance through Messiah, sore punishment shall follow the former. After subduing Syria and Israel, the Assyrians shall encounter Egypt (2Ki 23:29), and Judah shall…
The prophecy is incredibly specific and unsettling: God will "whistle" for these nations, not as if He commands them with authority, but more like luring swarms of insects or bees. This image highlights that these armies, while devastating, are still ultimately under God's control, acting like pests He can summon and unleash.
King Ahaz of Judah is facing an invasion from the northern kingdoms of Syria and Israel. In this prophecy, God tells Isaiah that even though these immediate threats will be dealt with, judgment will ultimately come from the powerful empire of Assyria, and also from Egypt, both of which will swarm into Judah. God is essentially saying that reliance on foreign alliances, whether with Egypt or Assyria, will lead to disaster for Judah.
King Ahaz of Judah is facing an invasion from the northern kingdoms of Syria and Israel. In this prophecy, God tells Isaiah that even though these immediate threats will be dealt with, judgment will ultimately come from the powerful empire of Assyria, and also from Egypt, both of which will swarm into Judah. God is essentially saying that reliance on foreign alliances, whether with Egypt or Assyria, will lead to disaster for Judah.
"In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria." — The prophecy is incredibly specific and unsettling: God will "whistle" for these nations, not as if He commands them with authority, but more like luring swarms of insects or bees. This image highlig…
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Last reviewed October 2026