Isaiah 10 30

Isaiah 10:30 kjv

Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.

Isaiah 10:30 nkjv

Lift up your voice, O daughter of Gallim! Cause it to be heard as far as Laish? O poor Anathoth!

Isaiah 10:30 niv

Cry out, Daughter Gallim! Listen, Laishah! Poor Anathoth!

Isaiah 10:30 esv

Cry aloud, O daughter of Gallim! Give attention, O Laishah! O poor Anathoth!

Isaiah 10:30 nlt

Scream in terror,
you people of Gallim!
Shout out a warning to Laishah.
Oh, poor Anathoth!

Isaiah 10 verses

Isaiah 10 30 meaning

Isaiah 10:30 provides a vivid, almost real-time prophetic scene of panic and alarm among the small towns north of Jerusalem as the Assyrian army rapidly advances. The verse calls out specific locations – Gallim, Laishah, and Anathoth – commanding them to react to the imminent danger with loud cries of distress, urgent attention, and lamentation over their impoverished or afflicted state. It serves to underscore the devastating proximity and terrifying speed of the invasion, highlighting the utter vulnerability and fear of Judah's populace as the formidable enemy closes in on the capital, foreshadowing deep suffering.

Isaiah 10 30 Context

The verse is part of a longer prophecy within Isaiah 10 (verses 28-32) that vividly describes the rapid and terrifying advance of the Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, towards Jerusalem. Following the Lord's declaration that Assyria, though an instrument of divine judgment against Judah's sin and pride, would itself be judged for its arrogance (Isa 10:5-19), Isaiah shifts to a highly dramatic, almost journalistic, account of the invasion. This section meticulously lists specific Benjaminite towns north of Jerusalem, painting a picture of fear and imminent destruction. Verse 30 intensifies this scene, capturing the urgent and public displays of alarm in these towns as the enemy draws critically near, highlighting the vulnerability of Judah's heartland and the inescapable psychological impact of the threat to Jerusalem. Historically, this corresponds to Sennacherib's campaign against Judah in 701 BC during King Hezekiah's reign, when many towns fell before the divine intervention ultimately saved Jerusalem. The detailing of these specific towns challenges any complacent reliance on human defenses or false gods, implicitly demanding an ultimate reliance on YHWH.

Isaiah 10 30 Word analysis

• "Cry aloud," (צַהֲלִ֨י, tzahali): This is an imperative verb commanding a shrill, loud sound. While it can be associated with the whinny of a warhorse or even a joyful shout, here, in the context of an invading army, it unequivocally conveys a frantic, desperate, and piercing cry of alarm, terror, or anguish. It represents an uncontrolled, visceral outburst of fear in the face of imminent disaster.

• "O daughter of Gallim!" (בַת־גַּלִּים, bat-Gallim): "Daughter of" is a common Hebrew idiom personifying the inhabitants of a place or the town itself. Gallim was a small, ancient town in the tribal territory of Benjamin, likely situated along a probable northern invasion route to Jerusalem. Its specific location is debated, but its mention grounds the prophecy geographically, signaling the real and close proximity of the danger. The "daughter" imagery evokes vulnerability and adds a personal, poignant touch to the communal distress.

• "Give attention," (הַקְשִׁ֥יבִי, haqshivi): An imperative verb urging the hearer to "listen attentively," "pay heed," or "be alert." It is a command to cease other activities and focus entirely on the imminent threat, indicating a desperate call for full awareness. This implies a situation so grave that every bit of focus and understanding is needed to comprehend the encroaching peril.

• "O Laishah!" (לַיְשָׁ֖ה, Layshah): Another town mentioned, likely situated in Benjamin and possibly near Gallim, on the same path towards Jerusalem. The precise identification of Laishah is also uncertain, but its inclusion, like Gallim, further authenticates the prophetic itinerary of the Assyrian advance, emphasizing the sequential progression of the threat through the towns adjacent to the capital.

• "O you poor Anathoth!" (עֲנִיָּ֖ה עֲנָת֗וֹת, aniy.yah Anathot):

  • "O you poor" (עֲנִיָּ֖ה, aniy.yah): An adjective signifying "afflicted," "humble," "impoverished," "miserable," or "suffering." This descriptor reflects the dire state of Anathoth – potentially literal destitution, but more significantly, its deep vulnerability, helplessness, and the profound suffering it faces as the invasion looms. It carries a profound sense of pathos, pre-emptively mourning its fate.
  • "Anathoth!" (עֲנָת֗וֹת, Anathot): A prominent Levitical priestly city located in the tribal territory of Benjamin, just a few miles northeast of Jerusalem. It is notably the birthplace and home of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 1:1, 11:21), making its mention here particularly poignant given Jeremiah's later suffering and prophetic burden related to his hometown and the destruction of Judah.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Cry aloud, O daughter of Gallim!": This opening phrase sets the scene with an immediate and emotionally charged sound. The personification of the town as a "daughter" being commanded to "cry aloud" emphasizes the profound and public distress, suggesting a vulnerability typically associated with female figures, making the collective fear more poignant and relatable.
  • "Give attention, O Laishah!": This command signifies a critical escalation in the awareness of the threat. It is no longer just a spontaneous cry of terror, but an urgent directive to listen intently and comprehend the magnitude of the approaching disaster, implying that complacency or inattention is no longer an option.
  • "O you poor Anathoth!": This phrase is particularly powerful due to the adjective "poor" (aniy.yah). It goes beyond simply describing the town's geographic location to characterize its destined condition – one of suffering, affliction, and vulnerability in the face of the overwhelming enemy. Given Anathoth's significance as a priestly city and later Jeremiah's hometown, the epithet carries a weight of deep-seated pathos and tragic destiny.

Isaiah 10 30 Bonus section

• The meticulous geographic procession of towns in Isaiah 10:28-32, culminating near Jerusalem, is not merely descriptive but serves a theological purpose. It builds suspense to highlight God's miraculous intervention on behalf of Jerusalem (Isa 10:33-34, Isa 37), making the ultimate deliverance of Zion more impactful by first detailing the utter human helplessness and terror preceding it.
• The use of aniy.yah (poor/afflicted) for Anathoth is deeply significant. In prophetic tradition, "the poor" often refer to those who are socio-economically disadvantaged or, more spiritually, those who are humble and completely reliant on God (Psa 9:18, Isa 61:1). In this context, Anathoth's designation could imply not only its impending physical and economic devastation but also a spiritual condition, setting a contrast between human vulnerability and potential divine protection, although the immediate tone is one of despondency.
• Jeremiah's later connection to Anathoth amplifies the poignant nature of "poor Anathoth," associating this site with a prophet who experienced immense personal suffering and saw his nation's devastating judgment firsthand. Isaiah's early lament over Anathoth can be seen as foreshadowing a pattern of affliction for the city that would continue into Jeremiah's time and beyond.

Isaiah 10 30 Commentary

Isaiah 10:30 stands as a masterful stroke of prophetic drama, intensifying the sense of impending doom for Judah. The sequence of cries and calls to attention from towns geographically closer and closer to Jerusalem builds an almost unbearable tension. It's an auditory prophecy, allowing the listener to "hear" the approaching terror, feel the ground shake from the distant marching armies, and sense the overwhelming fear among the populace. The specific names root the prophecy in historical and geographical reality, making the abstract threat of invasion intensely personal for Isaiah’s original audience. This verse not only highlights the human experience of dread in the face of military might but implicitly underscores the ultimate powerlessness of humanity and their reliance on a greater force—God himself—even as these cries initially speak only of terror and affliction. It portrays not just military threat but a deep societal distress, a lamentation for a nation under judgment.