Bible Strands
Isaiah 7:15
By the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good, He will be eating curds and honey.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Isaiah addresses King Ahaz during a coalition crisis, announcing a sign concerning a child named Immanuel. The prophet uses the child's moral maturity to mark the timeline for the impending destruction of the threatening nations.
The words — The text specifies יֹאכֵ֑ל (yo.Khel, "he will eat") with חֶמְאָ֥ה (chem.'Ah, "curds") and דְבַ֖שׁ (de.Vash, "honey") to describe the child's sustenance. These dietary terms directly parallel the provisions for the remnant in Isaiah 7:22.
The thread — The pairing of curds and honey appears again in Isaiah 7:22 as the staple food of the surviving population. The command to reject evil and choose good aligns with the moral directive in Amos 5:15.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to accept that the promised sign unfolds within a measurable, human developmental timeframe. It demands acknowledgment that divine action proceeds through ordinary biological and moral processes rather than through immediate supernatural intervention.
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
Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 7:22 and from the abundance of milk they give, he will eat curds; for all who remain in the land will eat curds and honey.
- Amos 5:15 Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”
- Matthew 3:4 John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
- Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
- Psalms 51:5 Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
- Luke 1:35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
- Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
- Luke 2:40 And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
- Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.