The Meaning of Isaiah 7:9 Explained

Isaiah 7:9

KJV: And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

YLT: And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, And the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If ye do not give credence, Surely ye are not stedfast.'

Darby: and the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye believe not, surely ye shall not be established.

ASV: and the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the head  of Ephraim  [is] Samaria,  and the head  of Samaria  [is] Remaliah's  son.  If ye will not believe,  surely ye shall not be established. 

What does Isaiah 7:9 Mean?

Context Summary

Isaiah 7:1-17 - The Sign Of Immanuel
A new cycle of prophecy begins here, covering the reign of Ahaz. The complete history which illustrates these chapters is given in 2 Chronicles 28:5. The invasion of Judah by Syria and Samaria was permitted because a severe warning was needed to enforce Isaiah's remonstrances and appeals. See 2 Kings 15:37. The Holy City, as Isaiah predicted, was not to be trodden by the invader, though it would pass through severe suffering and anxiety. This immunity, which neither Ahaz nor his people deserved, was secured by Isaiah's faith and prayer, pleading as he did, God's ancient covenant.
This great prophecy of the coming Immanuel must have greatly encouraged that generation, as it has all succeeding ones. It inspired Psalms 46:1-11. What greater comfort have we than that Jesus is the companion of our pilgrimage? See Matthew 1:21-23. Though the corn-lands were desolate, the cattle on the mountain-pastures would yield butter and the wild bees honey; and this would supply the nation's needs till the invader had withdrawn. Though God chastens us, He will not forget our daily bread. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 7

1  Ahaz, being troubled with fear of Rezin and Pekah, is comforted by Isaiah
10  Ahaz, having liberty to choose a sign, and refusing it, has for a sign, Christ promised
17  His judgment is prophesied to come by Assyria

What do the individual words in Isaiah 7:9 mean?

And the head of Ephraim [is] Samaria of Samaria son [is] Remaliah if not you will believe surely you shall be established -
וְרֹ֤אשׁ אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ שֹׁמְר֔וֹן שֹׁמְר֖וֹן בֶּן־ רְמַלְיָ֑הוּ אִ֚ם לֹ֣א תַאֲמִ֔ינוּ כִּ֖י תֵאָמֵֽנוּ ס

וְרֹ֤אשׁ  And  the  head 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: רֹאשׁ 
Sense: head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning.
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙  of  Ephraim 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֶפְרַיִם  
Sense: second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh.
שֹׁמְר֔וֹן  [is]  Samaria 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: שֹׁמְרֹון  
Sense: the region of northern Palestine associated with the northern kingdom of the 0 tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom after the death of Solomon during the reign of his son Rehoboam and were ruled by Jeroboam.
שֹׁמְר֖וֹן  of  Samaria 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: שֹׁמְרֹון  
Sense: the region of northern Palestine associated with the northern kingdom of the 0 tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom after the death of Solomon during the reign of his son Rehoboam and were ruled by Jeroboam.
בֶּן־  son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
רְמַלְיָ֑הוּ  [is]  Remaliah 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: רְמַלְיָהוּ  
Sense: father of king Pekah of the northern kingdom of Israel.
תַאֲמִ֔ינוּ  you  will  believe 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: אָמַן 
Sense: to support, confirm, be faithful.
כִּ֖י  surely 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
תֵאָמֵֽנוּ  you  shall  be  established 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: אָמַן 
Sense: to support, confirm, be faithful.
ס  - 
Parse: Punctuation