Isaiah 30 1

Isaiah 30:1 kjv

Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

Isaiah 30:1 nkjv

"Woe to the rebellious children," says the LORD, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;

Isaiah 30:1 niv

"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;

Isaiah 30:1 esv

"Ah, stubborn children," declares the LORD, "who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;

Isaiah 30:1 nlt

"What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,"
says the LORD.
"You make plans that are contrary to mine.
You make alliances not directed by my Spirit,
thus piling up your sins.

Isaiah 30 verses

Isaiah 30 1 Meaning

This verse denounces the Israelites for their self-willed and rebellious plans, particularly their reliance on Egypt for help instead of trusting in the LORD. It highlights the futility and destructiveness of seeking alliances outside of God's will.

Isaiah 30 1 Context

Chapter 30 of Isaiah continues the prophetic message to Judah, focusing on its political and spiritual state during a time when Assyria was a dominant power, and Egypt was often sought as an ally. The people of Judah, and specifically the leaders, were looking to Egypt for military and political assistance against potential Assyrian threats. This reliance on Egypt was seen by Isaiah as a betrayal of their covenant with God, an act of seeking strength in human endeavors rather than divine intervention, and ultimately a path leading to ruin.

Isaiah 30 1 Word analysis

• "Woe" (Hoi - הוֹי): An interjection expressing grief, lament, or denunciation. It immediately signals a severe pronouncement of judgment.

• "to the rebellious children" (liveney- marah - לִבְנֵי־מָרָה):

  • "Liveney" (לִבְנֵי) - sons of, children of. Indicates a familial relationship, highlighting the deep betrayal from those who should be loyal.
  • "Marah" (מָרָה) - rebellious, bitter, stubborn, defiant. Directly describes the people's attitude towards God's commands and authority.

• "to carry out a plan, but not mine" (la'asot-tzevaqah veno-li tzor qah - לַעֲשׂוֹת־צְוָקָה וְלֹא־לִי־צוּר קָה): This is a complex phrase often translated with slight variations. A more literal interpretation leans towards "to make a counsel, but not from Me; to make a covering/alliance, but not My Spirit."

  • "La'asot tzev'aqah" (לַעֲשׂוֹת־צְוָקָה) - to make or do a plan/counsel/purpose. Refers to strategic decision-making.
  • "veno-li tzur qah" (וְלֹא־לִי־צוּר קָה) - and not my counsel (lit. my rock, referring to God's foundation/protection) is their support or object. It means their counsel is not God-directed or based on His provision.

• "and form an alliance, but not of my Spirit" (velo-roohi yitarooti looth - וְלֹא־רוּחִי יִתְרוֹת לִי־לוּת):

  • "Velo-ruchi" (וְלֹא־רוּחִי) - and not my Spirit. Points to the lack of divine wisdom, guidance, and empowering presence in their chosen course of action.
  • "yitarooti looth" (יִתְרוֹת לִי־לוּת) - refers to an alliance or joining together, seeking strength from external powers (Egypt).

• "so adding sin to sin" (l'hisyfey cheyt al-cheyt - לְהוֹסִיף חֵטְא עַל־חֵטְא): The accumulation of their willful disobedience. Every decision against God's will compounds their guilt.

• "The waters of Sihor" (may-Shichor - מֵי־שִׁיחוֹר): Refers to the Nile River in Egypt. It symbolizes the deceptive reliance on Egypt. Sihor could also refer to the eastern branch of the Nile, the Pelusiac branch, the border river.

• "the reeds by the Euphrates" (qunah b'Prah - קוֹנֶה בְּפְרָת): Euphrates River, associated with the powerful Assyrian empire. This imagery contrasts the two regional powers that Judah was trying to leverage.

Isaiah 30 1 Bonus section

The phrase "but not mine" highlights a critical theme throughout Scripture: the contrast between God's perfect will and humanity's often flawed or selfish desires. This concept of misplaced trust, seeking salvation or security in things other than God, is a recurring motif, from Adam and Eve's rebellion to Israel's repeated lapses into idolatry. The pursuit of earthly alliances over divine guidance is presented as a foundational error that leads to spiritual and national ruin. This chapter anticipates Christ's teaching in the New Testament about seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Isaiah 30 1 Commentary

Isaiah condemns Judah's leaders for seeking alliance with Egypt, a worldly and unreliable power. This decision was made in direct opposition to God's will and without the guidance of His Spirit. Their "plan" and "alliance" were built on their own humanistic reasoning, leading them further away from their covenant with God. By trusting in Egypt, they were forsaking God, their true source of strength and salvation. This action compounded their existing sins, leading to judgment. The verse emphasizes the universal principle that true security and prosperity come only from a sincere reliance on God, not on fleshly or political alliances. This turning to Egypt represents a turning away from the LORD.