Bible Strands
Isaiah 7:12
But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ahaz replies to Isaiah’s command in Isaiah 7:11 to request a sign from the LORD. The prophet addresses the king directly as part of a confrontation with the house of David.
The words — The Hebrew verbs אֶשְׁאָל ('esh.'Al) and אֲנַסֶּה ('ana.Seh) literally render “I will ask” and “I will put to the test.” Ahaz pairs these negatives to declare a firm refusal to seek divine confirmation or probe God’s will.
The thread — This refusal echoes the command in Deuteronomy 6:16 against testing the LORD at Massah. It aligns with the historical record of Ahaz’s unfaithfulness in 2 Kings 16:15 and 2 Chronicles 28:22.
Why it lands — The text records a direct refusal to seek guidance, which Isaiah immediately interprets as an attempt to exhaust God’s patience. It requires readers to distinguish between legitimate requests for confirmation and defiant demands that substitute human control for divine authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 6:16 Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.
- 2 Kings 16:15 Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land. Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance.”
- 2 Chronicles 28:22 In the time of his distress, King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD.
- Ezekiel 33:31 So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
- Malachi 3:15 So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”
- Acts 5:9 “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter replied. “Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.