And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

ISAIAH 7:4KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 7:4 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 7:4 mean?

Isaiah 7:4 tells Isaiah to reassure King Ahaz, urging him to stay calm, not to be afraid, and not to lose heart because of the threats from Rezin (king of Syria) and the son of Remaliah (Pekah, king of Israel), who are described as "two tails of these smoking firebrands." The verse uses this image to show that their anger and threats are more smoke than real danger.

In this verse, God instructs Isaiah to deliver a message to King Ahaz of Judah during a time when Jerusalem faced a military threat from Syria and Israel. The "smoking firebrands" image suggests that, although these two kings seem dangerous, their power is fading and their threats will not last. Isaiah’s words are meant to encourage Ahaz not to panic or make rash decisions out of fear.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 7:4

  • "Take heed" (שָׁמַר, shamar): This word means to watch carefully or pay close attention. Here, it stresses the need for Ahaz to be alert and thoughtful, not just passive.
  • "Be quiet" (שָׁקַט, shaqat): This means to be still or at rest. The instruction is not just about silence, but about having inner calm and confidence in the face of trouble.
  • "Smoking firebrands" (עֵצוּת עֲשֵׁנִים, ‘ētzot ‘ashenim): The phrase refers to pieces of wood that are smoldering but not burning strongly. It paints the enemies as more bluster than real fire, suggesting their threat is already dying down.
  • "Fainthearted" (רַךְ לֵבָב, rakh levav): This combines "soft" or "weak" (rakh) with "heart" (levav), meaning to lose courage or be easily discouraged. The verse urges Ahaz to stand firm and not let fear take over.

Why Isaiah 7:4 matters

  • Isaiah 7:4 helps clear up that the threats facing Judah, though frightening, are not as serious as they appear; God sees them as fading dangers.
  • The verse shows that God’s message to leaders in crisis is not just about action, but about attitude—calling for calm, courage, and trust rather than panic.
  • Understanding the original words for "smoking firebrands" and "fainthearted" deepens the sense that Isaiah is addressing both the real danger and the emotional response of the king, urging steady faith rather than fear-driven decisions.

Where else these words appear

“smoking” Hebrew H6226 · used in 2 verses

  • Exodus 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

“firebrands” Hebrew H181 · used in 3 verses

  • Amos 4:11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
  • Zechariah 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

“fierce” Hebrew H2750 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 11:8 And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
  • Deuteronomy 29:24 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?
  • 2 Chronicles 25:10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.

“fainthearted” Hebrew H7401 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 20:3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
  • 2 Chronicles 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.
  • Psalms 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.