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)
The prophecy dramatically paints a picture of utter humiliation and stripping. It's not just a military defeat; the imagery of shaving all the hair—head, feet, and especially the beard—was meant to convey a profound disgrace and loss of dignity, impacting every level of society from the most honored to the common people.
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)
King Ahaz of Judah is facing a terrifying invasion from the combined forces of Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel. In his fear, Ahaz has decided to "hire" the mighty Assyrian empire to help him, sending them tribute from the temple to secure their alliance. Isaiah, however, is warning Ahaz that this decision will bring even greater devastation upon Judah than the current threat, as the Assyrians, whom he's paid for as allies, will ultimately become the instrument of God's judgment, stripping the land bare.
Why would God 'hire' a foreign king to punish His people? What does this reveal about His sovereignty and our choices?
In Isaiah 7:20, the prophet uses a stark image: God will 'shave with a razor that is hired' using the king of Assyria. This doesn't mean God is employing the Assyrians like a mercenary, but rather that He is sovereignly using them as an instrument for His judgment.
Shaving the beard was a deep insult in ancient cultures. What does God's comprehensive judgment signified by shaving everything tell us about His assessment of sin?
The imagery of shaving the 'head and the hair of the feet' and consuming the 'beard' paints a picture of complete and utter humiliation.
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Understand the original words
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 prophecy vividly illustrates the devastating consequences of Ahaz's political decision to hire Assyrian military might. The 'razor' is not just a metaphor for conquest, but specifically for the humiliation and stripping away of dignity, symbolized by shaving the head and beard, which were highly prized in that culture.
c. 734 BC— this verse
Syro-Ephraimite War begins
The kings of Aram (Syria) and Israel invade Judah, seeking to force King Ahaz into an anti-Assyrian coalition.
c. 733 BC
Ahaz hires Assyrian intervention
King Ahaz of Judah appeals to Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria for aid against the invaders, paying him tribute from the Temple treasury.
c. 732 BC
Assyrians conquer Damascus
Tiglath-pileser III captures the Aramean capital of Damascus and deports its population, fulfilling part of Isaiah's prophecy.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern Kingdom of Israel is conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Shalmaneser V, and its people are exiled.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib invades Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib campaigns against Judah, conquering many cities but failing to take Jerusalem, which is miraculously saved.
This passage illustrates the deep shame and disgrace associated with shaving or cutting off the beard, mirroring the profound humiliation Judah would face under Assyrian conquest.
Isaiah 10:5This verse directly connects the king of Assyria with being an instrument of God's wrath, much like a razor used for judgment, reinforcing the imagery in Isaiah 7:20.
Ezekiel 5:1Similar to Isaiah 7:20, this passage uses the imagery of shaving with a razor to signify complete destruction and judgment upon Israel, highlighting the severity of God's discipline.
2 Kings 16:7This historical account provides the context for Isaiah's prophecy, showing Ahaz 'hiring' the king of Assyria for aid, which God turns into an instrument of judgment against Judah.
barnesIsaiah 7:20: "In the same day shall the Lord shave with a rasor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard."
In the same day ... - The idea in this verse is the same as in the preceding, though presented in a different form. The meaning is, that "God" would bring upon them this punishment, but that he would make use of the Assyrian as an "instrument" by which to do it. Shave - The act of shavin…
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 dramatically paints a picture of utter humiliation and stripping. It's not just a military defeat; the imagery of shaving all the hair—head, feet, and especially the beard—was meant to convey a profound disgrace and loss of dignity, impacting every level of society from the most honored to the common people.
King Ahaz of Judah is facing a terrifying invasion from the combined forces of Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel. In his fear, Ahaz has decided to "hire" the mighty Assyrian empire to help him, sending them tribute from the temple to secure their alliance. Isaiah, however, is warning Ahaz that this decision will bring even greater devastation upon Judah than the current threat, as the Assyrians, whom he's paid for as allies, will ultimately become the instrument of God's judgment, stripping the land bare.
King Ahaz of Judah is facing a terrifying invasion from the combined forces of Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel. In his fear, Ahaz has decided to "hire" the mighty Assyrian empire to help him, sending them tribute from the temple to secure their alliance. Isaiah, however, is warning Ahaz that this decision will bring even greater devastation upon Judah than the current threat, as the Assyrians, whom he's paid for as allies, will ultimately become the instrument of God's judgment, stripping the land bare.
"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." — The prophecy dramatically paints a picture of utter humiliation and stripping. It's not just a military defeat; the imagery of shaving all the hair—head, feet, and especially the beard—was meant to…
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Last reviewed October 2026