King James Version

What Does Isaiah 7:18 Mean?

Isaiah 7:18 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Isaiah 7:18 · KJV


Context

16

For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

17

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.

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.

19

And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes. bushes: or, commendable trees

20

In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The imagery of the LORD 'hissing' for Egypt (the fly) and Assyria (the bee) depicts God sovereignly summoning nations as instruments of judgment. The insect metaphors suggest both insignificance relative to God and capacity to inflict pain on Judah. This double threat—Egypt and Assyria competing for control—would make Judah a contested buffer zone. The imagery demonstrates God's control over foreign powers, using them to accomplish His purposes while they pursue their own agendas.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout the 8th-7th centuries BC, Judah was caught between Egyptian and Assyrian (later Babylonian) imperial competition, suffering invasions from both sides.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's use of ungodly nations for judgment purposes demonstrate comprehensive sovereignty?
  2. What modern 'flies' and 'bees' might God be summoning for refining discipline?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְהָיָ֣ה׀1 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַּיּ֣וֹם2 of 14

And it shall come to pass in that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֗וּא3 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִשְׁרֹ֤ק4 of 14

shall hiss

H8319

properly, to be shrill, i.e., to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn)

יְהוָה֙5 of 14

that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לַזְּב֔וּב6 of 14

for the fly

H2070

a fly (especially one of a stinging nature)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר7 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בִּקְצֵ֖ה8 of 14

that is in the uttermost part

H7097

an extremity

יְאֹרֵ֣י9 of 14

of the rivers

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

מִצְרָ֑יִם10 of 14

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְלַ֨דְּבוֹרָ֔ה11 of 14

and for the bee

H1682

the bee (from its systematic instincts)

אֲשֶׁ֖ר12 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ13 of 14

that is in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אַשּֽׁוּר׃14 of 14

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire


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 7:18 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 7:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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