Isa 7:4-5 | NETfull | STEP | Tell him, ‘Make sure you stay calm! Don’t be afraid! Don’t be intimidated by these two stubs of smoking logs, or by the raging anger of Rezin, Syria, and the son of Remaliah.

Isaiah 7:4-5

4 Tell him, ‘Make sure you stay calm! ^{▼▼ Heb “guard yourself and be quiet,” but the two verbs should be coordinated.} Don’t be afraid! Don’t be intimidated ^{▼▼ Heb “and let not your heart be weak”; ASV “neither let thy heart be faint.”} by these two stubs of smoking logs, ^{▼▼ The derogatory metaphor indicates that the power of Rezin and Pekah is ready to die out.} or by the raging anger of Rezin, Syria, and the son of Remaliah. 5 Syria has plotted with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah to bring about your demise. ^{▼▼ This sentence opens with the conjunction יַעַן כִּי (ya’an ki, “because”). Consequently some take vv. 5–6 with what precedes, as another reason why Ahaz might be tempted to fear (see v. 4). However, it is more likely that vv. 5–6 give the basis for the Lord’s announcement in vv. 7–9. The conjunction יַעַן כִּי here introduces the basis for judgment (as in 3:16; 8:6; 29:13), which is then followed by the formal announcement of judgment.}