Isaiah 7:16
16Here is why this will be so: ▼▼tn Heb “for, because.” The particle introduces the entire following context (vv.
16-25), which explains why Immanuel will be an appropriate name for the child, why he will eat sour milk and honey, and why experiencing such a diet will contribute to his moral development.
Before the child knows how to reject evil and choose what is right, the land ▼▼sn Since “two kings” are referred to later in the verse, the “land” must here refer to Syria-Israel.
whose two kings you fear will be desolate. ▼▼tn Heb “the land will be abandoned, which you fear because of its two kings.” After the verb
קוּץ (
quts, “loathe, dread”) the phrase
מִפְּנֵי (
mippeney, “from before”) introduces the cause of loathing/dread (see
Gen 27:46;
Exod 1:12;
Num 22:3).