King James Version

What Does Isaiah 7:19 Mean?

Isaiah 7:19 in the King James Version says “And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all tho...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 7:19 · KJV

Context

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.

21

And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The invading forces settling in 'desolate valleys' and 'holes of the rocks' and 'upon all thorns, and upon all bushes' depicts comprehensive occupation—no refuge remains. The imagery shows that when God commissions judgment, escape is impossible; invaders penetrate every hiding place. This fulfills covenant curse threats (Leviticus 26:36-37) and demonstrates that rebellion leaves no sanctuary except returning to God in repentance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian and later Babylonian invasions devastated Judah's countryside, with refugees filling caves and remote areas. Archaeology reveals 7th-6th century destruction layers throughout Judah.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the comprehensiveness of divine judgment underscore the urgency of repentance?
  2. What 'refuges' do we trust in that offer no protection when God determines discipline?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וּבָ֨אוּ1 of 11

“And they shall come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְנָח֤וּ2 of 11

“and shall rest”

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

כֻלָּם֙3 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּנַחֲלֵ֣י4 of 11

“valleys”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

הַבַּתּ֔וֹת5 of 11

“all of them in the desolate”

H1327

desolation

וּבִנְקִיקֵ֖י6 of 11

“and in the holes”

H5357

a cleft

הַסְּלָעִ֑ים7 of 11

“of the rocks”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

וּבְכֹל֙8 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנַּ֣עֲצוּצִ֔ים9 of 11

“and upon all bushes”

H5097

pasture

וּבְכֹ֖ל10 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנַּהֲלֹלִֽים׃11 of 11

“and upon all thorns”

H5285

probably a brier; by implication, a thicket of thorny bushes

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 7:19 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 7:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 2:19Jeremiah 16:16Isaiah 2:21Micah 7:172 Chronicles 33:11

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