Isaiah 30:2

2 who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge.

Isaiah 30:2 in Other Translations

2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

2 who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!

2 For without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt for help. You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection. You have tried to hide in his shade.

2 Going off to Egypt without so much as asking me, Running off to Pharaoh for protection, expecting to hide out in Egypt.

2 They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, in order to seek shelter under Pharaoh's protection and take refuge in Egypt's shadow.

Isaiah 30:2 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 30:2

That walk to go down into Egypt
That walk out of their own land to go thither; who sent messengers thither to form an alliance, and get help and assistance, or went in person, to secure themselves from present danger. Jarchi refers this to the times of Hoshea, the son of Elah, king of Israel, who sent messengers to So, king of Egypt, ( 2 Kings 17:4 ) . Jerom to the times of Jeremiah, to the history in his prophecy, ( Jeremiah 41:17 ) and others to Zedekiah. Kimchi thinks it respects the time of Ahaz, though there is no account, either in the books of Kings or Chronicles, of sending then to Egypt for help; or else to the times of Hezekiah himself; which latter is right, as appears from the insults of Rabshakeh, when Sennacherib's army was before Jerusalem, ( Isaiah 36:6 ) : and have not asked at my mouth:
or as the Targum,

``the words of my prophets they have not asked;''

they did not inquire of the prophets of the Lord, whether they should go down or not: to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh;
by making an alliance with him, and receiving men and horses from him, to assist them against the Assyrians; this Pharaoh was he whom the Scriptures call So, ( 2 Kings 17:4 ) and by other writers, Sevechus and Sethon: and to trust in the shadow of Egypt;
the protection that would afford them, in which they placed their confidence, and thought themselves safe from their other enemy, by having so powerful an ally; but this was but a shadow, as are whatsoever men trust in short of the Lord himself, be they riches or righteousness, or any creature or creature enjoyment.

Isaiah 30:2 In-Context

1 “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;

2 who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge.

3 But Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame, Egypt’s shade will bring you disgrace.

4 Though they have officials in Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes,

5 everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them, who bring neither help nor advantage, but only shame and disgrace.”

Cross References

• 1. 2 Kings 25:26; Isaiah 31:1; Isaiah 36:6; Jeremiah 2:18,36; Jeremiah 42:14; Ezekiel 17:15; Ezekiel 29:16
• 2. S Genesis 25:22; S Numbers 27:21
• 3. Isaiah 36:9
• 4. S Isaiah 4:6