King James Version

What Does Isaiah 7:13 Mean?

Isaiah 7:13 in the King James Version says “And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

Isaiah 7:13 · KJV


Context

11

Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. ask it: or, make thy petition deep

12

But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

13

And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel . shall call: or, thou, O virgin, shalt call

15

Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Isaiah's rebuke—shifting from addressing Ahaz personally to 'house of David'—elevates the stakes from personal choice to dynastic faithfulness. The accusation of wearying 'my God' (not just 'your God') emphasizes Ahaz's offense against divine patience. Refusing God's gracious offer exhausts divine forbearance. This introduces the Immanuel sign (v. 14) which, though immediately addressing Ahaz's crisis, ultimately points to Messiah, demonstrating that God's purposes transcend human faithlessness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

By invoking 'house of David,' Isaiah reminds Ahaz of covenant responsibilities. Davidic kings were to trust God, not political machinations (Psalm 20:7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does persistent refusal of God's grace eventually exhaust divine patience?
  2. What does addressing the 'house of David' rather than Ahaz personally teach about corporate covenant responsibility?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר1 of 14

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שִׁמְעוּ2 of 14

Hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

נָ֖א3 of 14
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

בֵּ֣ית4 of 14

ye now O house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

דָּוִ֑ד5 of 14

of David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

הַמְעַ֤ט6 of 14

Is it a small thing

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

מִכֶּם֙7 of 14
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

תַלְא֖וּ8 of 14

but will ye weary

H3811

to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted

אֲנָשִׁ֔ים9 of 14
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כִּ֥י10 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תַלְא֖וּ11 of 14

but will ye weary

H3811

to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted

גַּ֥ם12 of 14
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת13 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֱלֹהָֽי׃14 of 14

my God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 7:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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