Isaiah 30:16

16 but you said, No, for we will flee on horses; therefore shall you flee: and, We will ride on the swift; therefore shall those who pursue you be swift.

Isaiah 30:16 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 30:16

But ye said, No, for we will flee upon horses
Hither and thither to get help and assistance; go down to Egypt for it on them, or thither for them, as some render it; and then face the enemy, and, if we can not conquer him, will flee from him, and so provide for our safety; this is man's way of salvation, as opposed to God's way; see ( Hosea 1:7 ) ( 14:3 ) or this may design their fleeing on horses and camels with their riches into Egypt, both for the security of them and their persons, ( Isaiah 30:6 ) : therefore shall ye flee;
on horses from the enemy, and be pursued and taken by him; this was fulfilled long after, when the city was taken by the Chaldeans; see ( 2 Kings 25:4 ) : and, We will ride upon the swift;
horses or camels, to the swiftness of which they trusted, and doubted not to get off safe, but would find themselves mistaken: therefore shall they that pursue you be swift;
yea, swifter than the horses and camels they rode on, and overtake them, and either put them to death, or carry them captive. The Chaldeans are represented as very swift, ( Jeremiah 4:13 ) ( Habakkuk 1:8 ) .

Isaiah 30:16 In-Context

14 He shall break it as a potter's vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing; so that there shall not be found among the pieces of it a broken piece with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.
15 For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Yisra'el, In returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. You would not:
16 but you said, No, for we will flee on horses; therefore shall you flee: and, We will ride on the swift; therefore shall those who pursue you be swift.
17 One thousand [shall flee] at the threat of one; at the threat of five shall you flee: until you be left as a beacon on the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on a hill.
18 Therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy on you: for the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.