Isaiah 7:15 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 7:15 mean?

Isaiah 7:15 says that the child will eat butter and honey so that he will know how to refuse evil and choose good. This verse connects the child’s diet with his ability to discern right from wrong.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to King Ahaz of Judah during a time of political crisis. Isaiah is giving a sign from God involving a child, and this verse describes the child’s upbringing. Butter and honey were simple foods, often eaten in times of hardship or when the land was not cultivated, hinting at the conditions the people would face. The verse emphasizes the child’s moral awareness as he grows up in these circumstances.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 7:15

• "Butter" (חֶמְאָה, ḥem'āh) refers to curds or a dairy product, not exactly modern butter. It suggests a basic, pastoral diet rather than luxury.
• "Honey" (דְּבַשׁ, devash) in ancient Israel often meant wild honey or syrup from dates, again pointing to simple, natural foods.
• "Know" (יָדַע, yada‘) means more than just intellectual knowledge; it includes understanding and the ability to make moral choices.
• "Refuse" (מָאַס, ma'as) and "choose" (בָּחַר, bachar) are strong words for rejecting and selecting, highlighting an active decision between evil (רַע, ra‘) and good (טוֹב, tov).

Why Isaiah 7:15 matters

• Isaiah 7:15 shows that the child’s ability to choose good over evil is tied to his upbringing and the conditions of the land, not just a sudden supernatural event.
• The verse helps clarify that the sign to Ahaz is rooted in real historical circumstances—hard times are coming, but God is still at work.
• This verse connects to the larger prophecy about Immanuel, showing that God’s presence is linked with both judgment and hope for the future.