Definition: Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Isaiah 8:7. It's a pretty dramatic and important verse in the Bible! Here’s what it means, explained simply: What it says: “Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Now therefore…” : This is a way of saying “So, let me explain this further.” It's like a pause before a big idea. “…the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river…” : This is the key part. The verse isn’t talking about just some water. It's saying that the Lord is deliberately creating a massive flood – a huge amount of water – to cover everything. Think of it like a torrential downpour, but with a deliberate purpose. “[even] the king of Assyria…” : This refers to King Ashur-uballat, who ruled over the region of Nineveh (modern-day Mosul, Iraq). He was a powerful and arrogant ruler. “Even” emphasizes that this wasn’t just any flood; it’s a significant one. “…and he shall come up over all his channels…” : This is where the “strong and many” part really comes in. The water will rise over everything – the mountains, valleys, cities, even the trees! It’s going to be overwhelming. "Channels" means all the paths and routes of the land. “…and go over all his banks.” : This is the final, terrifying part. The flood will not just stop at the borders of the land; it will completely engulf everything. It'll move across the entire landscape, like a giant wave. What does this mean in context? Isaiah 8:7 is often interpreted as a warning about Assyria’s impending military threat to Israel. It describes a time of great upheaval and conflict. The Assyrian Empire was a powerful force at the time, and this verse suggests that they were planning an invasion. The "waters of the river" represent the army, and the flood symbolizes a devastating attack. Overall Significance: This passage is a message about: Divine Judgment: God's wrath against evil. Protection of Israel: God is preparing to protect his people from Assyria’s aggression. The Power of God: It highlights that God has the power to overcome even the strongest empires. Do you want me to: Explain a specific part in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes?