^7:11“Ask for a confirming sign from the Lord your God. You can even ask for something miraculous.”¹⁸^7:12But Ahaz responded, “I don’t want to ask; I don’t want to put the Lord to a test.”¹⁹^7:13So Isaiah replied,²⁰ “Pay attention,²¹ family²² of David.²³ Do you consider it too insignificant to try the patience of men? Is that why you are also trying the patience of my God?

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Footnotes

18 Heb “Make it as deep as Sheol or make it high upwards.” These words suggest that Ahaz can feel free to go beyond the bounds of ordinary human experience.
19 Ahaz uses the verb נָסַה (nasah, “test”) in its negative sense of “challenge, provoke.” However, this is false piety, a smokescreen designed to cover up his lack of faith in the Lord.
20 Heb “and he said.” The subject is unexpressed, but the reference to “my God” at the end of the verse indicates the prophet is speaking.
21 The verb is second plural in form, because the prophet addresses the whole family of David. He continues to use the plural in v. 14 (with one exception, see the notes on that verse), but then switches back to the second singular (addressing Ahaz specifically) in vv. 16–17.
22 Heb “house.” See the note at v. .
23 The address to the “house of David” is designed to remind Ahaz and his royal court of the protection promised to them through the Davidic covenant. The king’s refusal to claim God’s promise magnifies his lack of faith.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“Ask for a sign from the Lord your God—it can be as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven.”

But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask. I will not test the Lord.”

Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men? Will you also try the patience of my God?

NLTNew Living Translation

“Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.”

But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.”

Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well?

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“Ask for a sign for yourself from Yahweh God; make it deep as Sheol or make it high as above.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put Yahweh to the test.”

Then he said, “Hear, house of David! Is it too little for you to make men weary, that you should also make my God weary?

KJV 1900King James Version

Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God;

Ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. And he said,

Hear ye now, O house of David;

Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

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