Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal:

ISAIAH 7:6KJV
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Isaiah 7:6 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 7:6 mean?

Isaiah 7:6 records the plan of two enemy kings who want to attack Judah, cause trouble, break through its defenses, and put their own chosen ruler, the son of Tabeal, in charge. This verse shows the threat facing Judah from outside forces who intend to overthrow its leadership.

The verse is part of a message from the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz of Judah. The kings of Aram (Syria) and Israel are plotting together against Jerusalem, hoping to replace Ahaz with someone loyal to them. Isaiah is relaying their exact words and intentions to highlight the seriousness of the threat and set the stage for God’s response in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 7:6

  • "vex" (הָקִיצֶנָּה, haqitsen·nah): This word means to trouble, harass, or terrify. The enemy kings are not just planning a simple attack—they want to deeply disturb and shake Judah.
  • "breach" (בָּקַע, baqa): This word means to break open or make a gap. The plan is to break through Judah’s defenses, not just to fight but to create a lasting weakness.
  • "set" (מָלַךְ, malakh) and "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melek): These words show the intent to install a new ruler, not just conquer but to control who leads Judah.
  • "midst" (תָּוֶךְ, tavek): This word means the very center, emphasizing that the enemy wants their chosen king to rule right in the heart of Judah.

Why Isaiah 7:6 matters

  • Isaiah 7:6 clarifies that the threat to Judah is not just military defeat but a complete takeover, including replacing its king with a puppet ruler.
  • The verse helps explain why King Ahaz and the people of Judah were so afraid, setting up the need for God’s reassurance in the next verses.
  • Understanding the specific plan (to set up the son of Tabeal) shows that the enemies had a detailed and personal strategy, not just a general desire for conquest.

Where else these words appear

“Tabeal” Hebrew H2870 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

“vex” Hebrew H6973 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 27:46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?
  • Leviticus 20:23 And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.
  • 1 Kings 11:25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.

“breach” Hebrew H1234 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Isaiah 48:21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.