This verse portrays a humble, time-bound sign of a child’s growth, reminding us that God is present with His people, and culminating in Jesus’ life on earth.
He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good (v.15). These words, spoken by the prophet Isaiah around the 8th century BC, were delivered during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. In the immediate historical context, Isaiah promised that before this prophesied child reached an age of moral awareness—knowing enough to refuse evil and choose good—the military threat against Judah would be removed. This prophecy demonstrated God’s protective power over His people in their time of crisis, but it also looked ahead to a future and greater fulfillment, ultimately pointing to the Messiah (Matthew 1:22-23).
The phrase He will eat curds and honey portrays a setting of both simplicity and nourishment. Curds, known in Hebrew as “hemah,” were a staple of the ancient Israelite diet, much like a type of yogurt made by churning fresh milk, and were often eaten along with milk itself. Honey, similarly, was valued as a natural sweetener and symbol of abundance in Scripture (Exodus 3:8). Together, curds and honey indicate that this child would grow up in humble yet sufficient conditions, underscoring both God’s provision and the child’s ordinary experience of daily life.
Isaiah’s statement also highlights a moment of moral decision. By the time the child would know enough to reject wickedness and embrace what is righteous, the crisis confronting Judah would be past. For New Testament readers, many see a deeper connection: Jesus, born of a virgin in fulfillment of Isaiah’s words (Isaiah 7:14), likewise showed us what it means to refuse evil and do good perfectly. He exemplified moral purity as He matured and ultimately brought salvation to the world (Luke 2:40, 52).
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Isaiah 7:15 meaning
He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good (v.15). These words, spoken by the prophet Isaiah around the 8th century BC, were delivered during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. In the immediate historical context, Isaiah promised that before this prophesied child reached an age of moral awareness—knowing enough to refuse evil and choose good—the military threat against Judah would be removed. This prophecy demonstrated God’s protective power over His people in their time of crisis, but it also looked ahead to a future and greater fulfillment, ultimately pointing to the Messiah (Matthew 1:22-23).
The phrase He will eat curds and honey portrays a setting of both simplicity and nourishment. Curds, known in Hebrew as “hemah,” were a staple of the ancient Israelite diet, much like a type of yogurt made by churning fresh milk, and were often eaten along with milk itself. Honey, similarly, was valued as a natural sweetener and symbol of abundance in Scripture (Exodus 3:8). Together, curds and honey indicate that this child would grow up in humble yet sufficient conditions, underscoring both God’s provision and the child’s ordinary experience of daily life.
Isaiah’s statement also highlights a moment of moral decision. By the time the child would know enough to reject wickedness and embrace what is righteous, the crisis confronting Judah would be past. For New Testament readers, many see a deeper connection: Jesus, born of a virgin in fulfillment of Isaiah’s words (Isaiah 7:14), likewise showed us what it means to refuse evil and do good perfectly. He exemplified moral purity as He matured and ultimately brought salvation to the world (Luke 2:40, 52).