Ask thee a sign The "sign" ("ôth, móphçth, here the former), plays a very large part in O.T. religion and with considerable latitude of meaning. The most important cases are those in which a divine revelation is attested by some striking event within the range of immediate perception through the senses. Such a sign may be a supernatural occurrence conveying an irresistible persuasion of the divine agency (ch. Isaiah 38:7; Isaiah 38:22; Exodus 7:8 ff.; Judges 6:17; Judges 6:36 ff.; 1 Kings 13:1 ff.). But it may also be an ordinary event, which acquires significance through its having been foretold, or asked for (Gen 24:14; 1 Samuel 10:2 ff; 1 Samuel 14:10; Luke 2:12). Thus of two predicted events the nearer may be made a "sign" of the more remote (1 Samuel 2:34; Jeremiah 44:29 f.). Or, in a still more general sense, the "sign" may be merely an incident of the fulfilled prediction, which carries the mind back to the time of the prophecy, when the sign was appointed (Exodus 3:12; Isaiah 37:30). That for which a sign is here offered to Ahaz is the certainty of divine help, or (what is the same thing) the truth that God speaks to him through the prophet. Although Isaiah was undoubtedly prepared to give a miraculous sign (see next clause) it is not to be at once assumed that the sign actually given (Isaiah 7:14 ff.) must be of the same order.

ask it either in the depth … above Lit.: going deep to Sheol or mounting high above (reading shě"ôlâhfor shě"âlâh). It is thought by some that this translation could be obtained from the actual Hebrew vocalisation, but this is doubtful. It is at all events the one that would be most readily suggested by an unpointed text, and it is justified by the antithetic structure of the sentence. The whole realm of creation, from the heavens to the underworld, is as it were put at the disposal of Ahaz for the purpose of this sign. It has been said that Isaiah played a dangerous game in staking his reputation on so unbounded a choice. Undoubtedly he did, if he was not speaking under genuine divine inspiration.

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