King James Version

What Does Isaiah 8:7 Mean?

Isaiah 8:7 in the King James Version says “Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

Isaiah 8:7 · KJV


Context

5

The LORD spake also unto me again, saying,

6

Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

7

Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

8

And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel . stretching: Heb. fulness of the breadth of thy land shall be the stretchings out of his wings

9

Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. people and: or, people, yet


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The imagery shifts dramatically: rejecting gentle waters brings overwhelming flood. The 'king of Assyria' represents God's judgment instrument—violent, unstoppable, comprehensive. The flood metaphor suggests totality: waters reaching 'to the neck' indicate near-total destruction, yet not quite complete (the head remains above water, suggesting survival of a remnant). This demonstrates the Reformed doctrine of judgment and mercy intertwined—God disciplines severely but preserves His people. Assyria's invasion, though used by God, would ultimately be restrained.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Fulfilled in Sennacherib's invasion of 701 BC. Assyrian forces swept through Judah like a flood, destroying 46 fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. The annals of Sennacherib describe shutting up Hezekiah 'like a bird in a cage.' Waters reaching 'to the neck' was literal—Jerusalem itself, the 'head' of Judah, survived while everything else was destroyed. God miraculously delivered Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:36-37), proving He controls even His judgment instruments.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use difficult circumstances as instruments of discipline for His people?
  2. What does the 'waters to the neck' imagery teach about God's restraint even in severe judgment?
  3. How have you experienced God's preservation in the midst of overwhelming trials?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְלָכֵ֡ן1 of 24
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הִנֵּ֣ה2 of 24
H2009

lo!

אֲדֹנָי֩3 of 24

Now therefore behold the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

וְעָלָה֙4 of 24

and he shall come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם5 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶת6 of 24
H853

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

מֵ֣י7 of 24

upon them the waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

הַנָּהָ֗ר8 of 24

of the river

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

הָעֲצוּמִים֙9 of 24

strong

H6099

powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous

וְהָ֣רַבִּ֔ים10 of 24

and many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

אֶת11 of 24
H853

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

מֶ֥לֶךְ12 of 24

even the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֖וּר13 of 24

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

וְאֶת14 of 24
H853

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

כָּל15 of 24
H3605

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

כְּבוֹד֑וֹ16 of 24

and all his glory

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

וְעָלָה֙17 of 24

and he shall come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל18 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל19 of 24
H3605

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

אֲפִיקָ֔יו20 of 24

over all his channels

H650

properly, containing, i.e., a tube; also a bed or valley of a stream; also a strong thing or a hero

וְהָלַ֖ךְ21 of 24

and go over

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עַל22 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל23 of 24
H3605

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

גְּדוֹתָֽיו׃24 of 24

all his banks

H1415

a border of a river (as cut into by the stream)


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 8:7 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 8:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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