Isaiah 30:10

10 Who say to the ¹seers, "You must not see visions"; And to the prophets, "You must not ²prophesy to us what is right, ³Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.

Isaiah 30:10 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 30:10

Which say to the seers, See not
The same with the prophets in the next clause, which explains this: and to the Prophets, prophesy not unto us right things;
things agreeable to the mind and will of God, and which ought to be done; not that they, in so many words, said this, but this was the language of their hearts and actions. The Targum is,

``who say to the prophets, prophesy not, and to the teachers, teach us not the doctrine of the law:''

speak unto us smooth things;
that peace and prosperity should attend them, though they went on in their sinful courses: prophesy deceits;
for to prophesy peace to them, when destruction was at hand, was to deceive them; and yet they chose rather to be told the one than the other.

Isaiah 30:10 In-Context

8 Now go, write it on a tablet before them And inscribe it on a scroll, That it may serve in the time to come As a witness forever .

9 For this is a rebellious people, false sons, Sons who refuse to listen To the instruction of the LORD ;

10 Who say to the seers, "You must not see visions"; And to the prophets, "You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.

11 "Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel."

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, "Since you have rejected this word And have put your trust in oppression and guile, and have relied on them,

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 29:10
• 2. Isaiah 5:20; Jeremiah 11:21; Amos 2:12; Amos 7:13
• 3. 1 Kings 22:8, 13; Jeremiah 6:14; Jeremiah 23:17, 26; Ezekiel 13:7; Romans 16:18; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "smooth things"