Isaiah 7:18
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)
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The seemingly strange imagery of God "whistling" for insects reveals His absolute sovereignty over even the smallest and most despised creatures – He summons armies and nations like calling annoying flies and stinging bees, showing that no power on earth is beyond His command.
The prophet Isaiah has just delivered a message of hope and a sign (the virgin birth of Immanuel) to King Ahaz, who is facing an invasion from Syria and Israel. Despite this divine promise, Ahaz has rejected it and instead sought an alliance with the powerful Assyrian empire. This verse shifts the focus, warning that God will call upon both Egypt and Assyria as instruments of judgment against Judah.
Why would God 'whistle' for flies and bees? This isn't just poetic language; it reveals a profound truth about how God orchestrates world events.
The Divine Conductor
The imagery of God whistling for flies and bees is striking! It paints a picture of God calling nations to action. The 'fly' from Egypt and the 'bee' from Assyria represent powerful, numerous, and potentially destructive forces.
Why mention both Egypt and Assyria? This verse speaks to Judah's precarious geopolitical situation and the dangers lurking on both sides.
Caught Between Powers
Isaiah's prophecy comes to King Ahaz of Judah, who is facing a crisis. The northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Syria are allied against Judah. In this context, Isaiah points to two major world powers:
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 uses powerful imagery of insects to symbolize the vast armies of Egypt and Assyria, nations that would repeatedly threaten and oppress Judah. The 'hiss' evokes God's sovereign control, calling forth these formidable powers as instruments of His judgment, particularly in the context of the rising Neo-Babylonian Empire which would eventually conquer Judah.
Late 8th Century BC
Syrian-Ephraimite War Begins
Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel invade Judah and lay siege to Jerusalem, seeking to depose King Ahaz and install a puppet king.
c. 733-732 BC
Assyrian Intervention
King Ahaz of Judah appeals to Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria for help, paying tribute to secure military assistance against Syria and Israel.
c. 732 BC
Damascus Falls to Assyria
Tiglath-Pileser III conquers Damascus, the capital of Syria, and deports its population, effectively ending the threat from Rezin.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
Samaria, the capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), falls to the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V, leading to the exile of the northern tribes.
This passage describes the plague of flies sent upon Egypt, directly mirroring the imagery of God 'whistling for the fly' in Isaiah, highlighting the destructive and overwhelming nature of the invading armies.
Deuteronomy 1:44Here, the Amorites are described as being brought out against Israel 'like bees when they come out of their hive,' connecting the 'bee' imagery in Isaiah to the relentless and numerous attacks of an enemy army.
2 Kings 23:33-35This passage details Pharaoh Necho's invasion of Judah, illustrating the historical fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy where Egypt, called the 'fly,' intervenes and brings destruction.
2 Kings 18:9-13This account shows the Assyrian army invading and conquering Israelite cities, directly illustrating the threat from the 'bee' of Assyria that looms over Judah.
Isaiah 31:1-3This related prophecy in Isaiah warns against seeking help from Egypt, reinforcing the idea that both Egypt ('fly') and Assyria ('bee') are sources of judgment, not salvation, for 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 seemingly strange imagery of God "whistling" for insects reveals His absolute sovereignty over even the smallest and most despised creatures – He summons armies and nations like calling annoying flies and stinging bees, showing that no power on earth is beyond His command.
The prophet Isaiah has just delivered a message of hope and a sign (the virgin birth of Immanuel) to King Ahaz, who is facing an invasion from Syria and Israel. Despite this divine promise, Ahaz has rejected it and instead sought an alliance with the powerful Assyrian empire. This verse shifts the focus, warning that God will call upon both Egypt and Assyria as instruments of judgment against Judah.
The prophet Isaiah has just delivered a message of hope and a sign (the virgin birth of Immanuel) to King Ahaz, who is facing an invasion from Syria and Israel. Despite this divine promise, Ahaz has rejected it and instead sought an alliance with the powerful Assyrian empire. This verse shifts the focus, warning that God will call upon both Egypt and Assyria as instruments of judgment against Judah.
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c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invades Judah, capturing many cities and besieging Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. This event is a later fulfillment of prophecies against Judah.
c. 609-605 BC
Pharaoh Necho's Campaign
Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt campaigns north, defeating King Josiah of Judah at Megiddo and then deposing his successor, Jehoahaz. This marks an Egyptian influence over Judah.
c. 605 BC— this verse
Babylonian Ascendancy
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon decisively defeats the Egyptians at Carchemish, establishing Babylonian dominance over the region and beginning a new era of imperial threat to 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 seemingly strange imagery of God "whistling" for insects reveals His absolute sovereignty over even the smallest and most despised creatures – He summons armies and nations like calling annoying…
