Isaiah 7:18-20
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The image of God "whistling" for these armies is powerful; it suggests He is not merely allowing them to come but is actively summoning them, like a shepherd calling his flock, or even like someone calling a pest, like flies, to their target. This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty, even over destructive forces, using them for His purposes.
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. And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures. In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following God's warning to King Ahaz not to trust in alliances with Assyria, the prophet Isaiah declares that God will summon hostile forces from both Egypt and Assyria. These nations, depicted as swarming flies and stinging bees, will overwhelm Judah, serving as agents of God's judgment for their disobedience. This imagery highlights the impending devastation and the futility of seeking help from human powers rather than relying on God.
Imagine God letting out a whistle – not for a pet, but to summon entire armies! What does this strange imagery tell us about how God uses nations?
In Isaiah 7:18, God is depicted as 'whistling' for the armies of Egypt and Assyria. This isn't a gentle call; it's a powerful signal.
The 'Hiss' of God's Command
God’s sovereignty extends to the nations of the world, and He can use them to accomplish His purposes, much like a shepherd might call his flock, or a commander signals his troops.
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Isaiah's prophecy places Judah right in the path of these summoned powers. What does this mean for God's people when powerful nations collide?
The prophecy in Isaiah 7:18 is set against a specific historical backdrop: the kingdom of Judah, under King Ahaz, is under threat from Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahaz is considering alliances with either Egypt or Assyria for protection.
The Double Danger
This passage reminds us that while God is sovereign over nations, His people often find themselves in precarious situations, needing to discern where true safety lies – not in political maneuvering, but in trusting God's promise.
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.
taʿar · Hebrew Noun
A symbolic action representing total humiliation, loss of dignity, and the stripping away of glory or strength. Historically, shaving was a sign of mourning, shame, or ritual impurity.
This verse vividly illustrates God's sovereign power over the great empires of Egypt and Assyria. It shows that even as these mighty nations are used as instruments of judgment against Judah, they themselves are subject to God's 'whistle,' being summoned and dismissed according to His divine plan.
c. 734 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War Begins
Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel invade Judah, seeking to depose King Ahaz and install their own ruler. Ahaz is terrified.
c. 733 BC
Assyrian Intervention Sought
King Ahaz of Judah appeals to Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria for help against the invaders, offering tribute.
c. 732 BC
Damascus Falls to Assyria
Tiglath-Pileser III captures Damascus, the capital of Syria, effectively ending Rezin's threat to Judah.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) is conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Shalmaneser V, and its population exiled.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria campaigns against Judah, capturing many fortified cities but failing to take Jerusalem.
c. 671 BC
Esarhaddon Invades Egypt
The Neo-Assyrian king Esarhaddon conquers Lower Egypt, bringing the region under Assyrian control.
c. 609 BC - 597 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's Campaigns
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, after defeating the Egyptians under Pharaoh Necho at Carchemish, deports significant portions of Judah's population to Babylon.
This passage describes the plague of flies sent upon Egypt, directly paralleling Isaiah's imagery of God 'whistling for the fly' from Egypt, emphasizing the destructive and overwhelming nature of the impending invasion.
Deuteronomy 1:44This verse compares the Amorites to bees, highlighting how a numerous and fierce enemy can be likened to stinging insects, which aligns with Isaiah's use of 'bee' to describe the Assyrian army.
Psalm 118:12This psalm speaks of enemies surrounding and cutting off like bees, reinforcing the metaphor of bees representing a relentless and numerous invading force, as seen in Isaiah's prophecy.
2 Kings 23:33-34This historical account details Pharaoh Necho's intervention in Judah and his deposition of King Jehoahaz, showing a concrete fulfillment of prophecy where forces from Egypt impacted Judah, connecting to Isaiah's mention of Egypt.
Isaiah 31:1This passage explicitly condemns seeking help from Egypt, calling it a fruitless endeavor that relies on horses and chariots, further illuminating why Isaiah would warn against Egyptian alliances and the judgment associated with them.
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 image of God "whistling" for these armies is powerful; it suggests He is not merely allowing them to come but is actively summoning them, like a shepherd calling his flock, or even like someone calling a pest, like flies, to their target. This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty, even over destructive forces, using them for His purposes.
Following God's warning to King Ahaz not to trust in alliances with Assyria, the prophet Isaiah declares that God will summon hostile forces from both Egypt and Assyria. These nations, depicted as swarming flies and stinging bees, will overwhelm Judah, serving as agents of God's judgment for their disobedience. This imagery highlights the impending devastation and the futility of seeking help from human powers rather than relying on God.
Following God's warning to King Ahaz not to trust in alliances with Assyria, the prophet Isaiah declares that God will summon hostile forces from both Egypt and Assyria. These nations, depicted as swarming flies and stinging bees, will overwhelm Judah, serving as agents of God's judgment for their disobedience. This imagery highlights the impending devastation and the futility of seeking help from human powers rather than relying on God.
"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. And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all th…" — The image of God "whistling" for these armies is powerful; it suggests He is not merely allowing them to come but is actively summoning them, like a shepherd calling his flock, or even like someone c…
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Last reviewed October 2026
