Isaiah 30:7-17

7 Even Egypt, whose 1help is vain and empty. Therefore, I have called her "2Rahab who has been exterminated."
8 Now go, 3write 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 4rebellious people, 5false sons, Sons who refuse * to 6listen To the instruction of the LORD;
10 Who say to the 7seers, "You must not see visions"; And to the prophets, "You must not 8prophesy to us what is right, 9Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.
11 "Get out of the way, 10turn aside from the path, 11Let us hear no * more about the Holy One of Israel."
12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, "12Since you have rejected this word And have put your trust in 13oppression and guile, and have relied on them,
13 Therefore this 14iniquity will be to you Like a 15breach about to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose collapse comes 16suddenly in an instant,
14 Whose collapse is like the smashing of a 17potter's jar, So ruthlessly * shattered That a sherd will not be found among its pieces To take fire from a hearth Or to scoop water from a cistern."
15 For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In repentance and 18rest you will be saved, In 19quietness and trust is your strength." But you were not willing,
16 And you said, "No, for we will flee on 20horses," Therefore * you shall flee! "And we will ride on swift horses," Therefore * those who pursue you shall be swift.
17 21One thousand will flee at the threat of one man; You will flee at the threat of five, Until * you are left as a flag on a mountain top And as a signal on a hill.

Isaiah 30:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 30

This chapter contains a complaint of the Jews for their sins and transgressions; a prophecy of their destruction for them; a promise of grace and mercy, and of happy times, to the saints; and a threatening of utter and dreadful ruin to the wicked. The Jews are complained of for their rebellion against God, their slighting his counsel and protection, their trust in Egypt, and application there for help; whither they went with their riches for safety, but in vain, it being contrary to the will and counsel of God, Isa 30:1-7 next follows a denunciation of ruin and destruction for these things, rebellion, and lying, and vain confidence, as well as for contempt of the word of God, which, that it might appear sure and certain, is ordered to be written in a book, Isa 30:8-12 and this ruin is signified by the sudden falling of a wall, and by the breaking of a potter's vessel into pieces, which can never be used more, Isa 30:13,14 and seeing they rejected the way of salvation proposed by the Lord, and took their own way, first destruction is threatened them, which should be very easily brought about, and become so general, that few should escape it, Isa 30:15-17 and then promises of grace and mercy are made to them that wait for the Lord, Isa 30:18 such as a dwelling place in Zion, hearing their prayers, granting them teachers to instruct them, and the riddance of idolatry from them, Isa 30:19-22 and also many outward blessings, as seasonable rain, good bread corn, fat pastures, good food for cattle, and fruitfulness of mountains and hills, Isa 30:23-25 likewise an amazing degree of spiritual light and glory, and healing of the Lord's people, Isa 30:26 and the chapter is concluded with a threatening Of God's wrath upon the Assyrian, expressed by various similes, as of an angry man, an overflowing torrent, a tempest of thunder, lightning, and hail, and the fire of Tophet, Isa 30:27-33.

Cross References 21

  • 1. Isaiah 30:5
  • 2. Job 9:13; Psalms 87:4; Psalms 89:10; Isaiah 51:9
  • 3. Isaiah 8:1
  • 4. Isaiah 30:1
  • 5. Isaiah 28:15; Isaiah 59:3, 4
  • 6. Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 5:24; Isaiah 24:5
  • 7. Isaiah 29:10
  • 8. Isaiah 5:20; Jeremiah 11:21; Amos 2:12; Amos 7:13
  • 9. 1 Kings 22:8, 13; Jeremiah 6:14; Jeremiah 23:17, 26; Ezekiel 13:7; Romans 16:18; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4
  • 10. Acts 13:8
  • 11. Job 21:14
  • 12. Isaiah 5:24; Isaiah 7:9; Isaiah 8:6
  • 13. Isaiah 3:14, 15; Isaiah 5:7; Isaiah 59:13
  • 14. Isaiah 26:21
  • 15. 1 Kings 20:30; Psalms 62:4; Isaiah 58:12
  • 16. Isaiah 29:5; Isaiah 47:11
  • 17. Psalms 2:9; Jeremiah 19:10, 11
  • 18. Psalms 116:7; Isaiah 28:12
  • 19. Isaiah 7:4; Isaiah 32:17
  • 20. Isaiah 2:7; Isaiah 31:1, 3
  • 21. Leviticus 26:36; Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 32:30; Joshua 23:10; Proverbs 28:1

Footnotes 13

  • [a]. Lit "this" one
  • [b]. M.T. reads "They are Rahab" (or "arrogance"), "to remain"
  • [c]. Lit "be"
  • [d]. So the versions; Heb "Forever and ever"
  • [e]. Lit "are not willing"
  • [f]. Or "law"
  • [g]. Lit "smooth things"
  • [h]. Lit "Cause to cease from our presence" the
  • [i]. Lit "Crushed, it will not be spared"
  • [j]. Lit "snatch up"
  • [k]. Heb "YHWH," usually rendered LORD
  • [l]. Lit "returning"
  • [m]. Lit "pole"
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.