And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

ISAIAH 7:9KJV
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Isaiah 7:9 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 7:9 mean?

Isaiah 7:9 warns that if the people do not trust, they will not remain secure or stable. The verse uses the political situation of Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel) and its capital Samaria, ruled by the son of Remaliah, to make the point that faith is necessary for survival.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to King Ahaz of Judah during a time of political crisis, as neighboring kingdoms threaten Jerusalem. Isaiah points out that just as Ephraim’s leadership is tied to Samaria and its current ruler, Judah’s future depends on its willingness to trust God. The verse’s final line is a strong warning: without faith, there will be no lasting foundation.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 7:9

  • "Believe" (אָמַן, ʼāman, H539): This word means to trust, have confidence, or be firm. The same root is used for "established" in this verse, showing a wordplay—if you do not trust, you will not be made firm.
  • "Established" (אָמַן, ʼāman, H539): The repetition of this root emphasizes that security and stability come from faith. The verse links the ideas of believing and being established as inseparable.

Why Isaiah 7:9 matters

  • Isaiah 7:9 clarifies that the issue at stake is not just political strategy but the need for trust in God’s promises, highlighting faith as the foundation for stability.
  • The verse uses a play on words in Hebrew to stress that belief and being established are directly connected, which might be missed in translation.
  • This warning sets the stage for the rest of Isaiah’s message to Ahaz, showing that the real danger is not external enemies but a lack of faith.

Where else these words appear

“Remaliah's” Hebrew H7425 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
  • 2 Kings 15:37 In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
  • Isaiah 7:1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

“believe” Hebrew H539 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Kings 10:5 And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.
  • Psalms 106:12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.