Christian Standard Bible
Isaiah 7:12
12But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask. I will not test the Lord.”
Isaiah 7:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.
- New International Version (NIV)But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test."
- New King James Version (NKJV)But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!”
Context of Isaiah 7:12
10Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz: 11“Ask for a sign from the Lord your God — it can be as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven.” But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask. I will not test the Lord.” 13Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men? Will you also try the patience of my God? 14Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
Read all of Isaiah 7Isaiah 7:12 word by word
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אָחָ֑ז לֹא־אֶשְׁאַ֥ל וְלֹֽא־אֲנַסֶּ֖ה אֶת־יְהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Isaiah 7:12
- 2 Kings 16:15Then King Ahaz commanded the priest Uriah, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering. Also offer the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offerings. Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of sacrifice. The bronze altar will be for me to seek guidance.”
- 2 Chronicles 28:22At the time of his distress, King Ahaz himself became more unfaithful to the Lord.
- Ezekiel 33:31So my people come to you in crowds, sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don’t obey them. Their mouths go on passionately, but their hearts pursue dishonest profit.
- Deuteronomy 6:16Do not test the Lord your God as you tested him at Massah.
- Malachi 3:15So now we consider the arrogant to be fortunate. Not only do those who commit wickedness prosper, they even test God and escape.”
- Acts 5:9Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:9Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes.
Commentaries on Isaiah 7:12
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12I will not ask - In this case Ahaz assumed the appearance of piety, or respect for the command of God. In Deuteronomy 6:16, it is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God;‘ and Ahaz perhaps had this command in his eye. It was a professed reverence for God. But the true reason why he did not seek this sign was, that he had already entered into a negotiation with the king of Assyria to come and defend him; and that he was even stripping the temple of…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-16Verses 10-16 Secret disaffection to God is often disguised with the colour of respect to him; and those who are resolved that they will not trust God, yet pretend they will not tempt him. The prophet reproved Ahaz and his court, for the little value they had for Divine revelation. Nothing is more grievous to God than distrust, but the unbelief of man shall not make the promise of God of no effect; the Lord himself shall give a sign. How great soever your…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12I will not test the LORD: Ahaz’s answer sounded respectful and faithful (based on Deuteronomy 6:16. However, Ahaz was likely already speaking with the Assyrians. He had probably already decided to trust them for help in this war. His response sounded spiritual and proper, but his actions showed that he did not plan to trust the Lord.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. neither ... tempt--hypocritical pretext of keeping the law (De 6:16); "tempt," that is, put God to the proof, as in Mt 4:7, by seeking His miraculous interposition without warrant. But here there was the warrant of the prophet of God; to have asked a sign, when thus offered, would not have been a tempting of God. Ahaz' true reason for declining was his resolve not to do God's will, but to negotiate with Assyria, and persevere in his idolatry (2Ki…Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 7:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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