And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.

ISAIAH 7:22KJV
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Isaiah 7:22 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 7:22 mean?

Isaiah 7:22 says that because there will be so much milk available, people who remain in the land will eat butter and honey. This points to a time when only a few people are left, but there will be enough simple food for them to survive.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to King Ahaz of Judah during a time of coming trouble. The verse describes the aftermath of invasion and devastation: the land will be mostly empty, but those who survive will have plenty of basic food like milk, butter, and honey, since there will be fewer people and more resources left for them.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 7:22

  • "Abundance" (רֹב, rov): This word means a great quantity or plenty. Here, it highlights that there will be more milk than usual, not because of prosperity, but because so few people are left to use it.
  • "Butter" (חֶמְאָה, ḥem'ah): This refers to a kind of curd or thickened milk, not the modern processed butter. It was a simple, everyday food in ancient Israel, showing that the survivors will eat what is basic and available.
  • "Left" (שָׁאָר, sha'ar): This word means those who remain or survive. It emphasizes that only a remnant of people will be in the land after the coming hardship.

Why Isaiah 7:22 matters

  • Isaiah 7:22 helps clear up the idea that abundance always means prosperity; here, it is a result of depopulation, not blessing.
  • The verse connects to the larger warning in Isaiah 7 that judgment is coming, but also that God will preserve a remnant.
  • Understanding the simple foods mentioned—milk, butter, and honey—shows the shift from a thriving society to a more basic, survival-level existence.

Where else these words appear

“butter” Hebrew H2529 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
  • Judges 5:25 He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
  • Job 29:6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;

“milk” Hebrew H2461 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 11:9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Proverbs 27:27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

“honey” Hebrew H1706 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 43:11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
  • Deuteronomy 27:3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
  • Psalms 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

“left” Hebrew H3498 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 30:36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
  • Joshua 18:2 And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:70 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.