Isaiah 30:10 kjv
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Isaiah 30:10 nkjv
Who say to the seers, "Do not see," And to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.
Isaiah 30:10 niv
They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.
Isaiah 30:10 esv
who say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,
Isaiah 30:10 nlt
They tell the seers,
"Stop seeing visions!"
They tell the prophets,
"Don't tell us what is right.
Tell us nice things.
Tell us lies.
Isaiah 30 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 30 | They say to the seers, "Do not see visions," | Against true prophecy |
| Jeremiah | "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water." | Seeking broken cisterns (false comfort) |
| 2 Timothy | "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions," | Unwillingness to endure sound teaching |
| Ezekiel | "Woe to the prophets of Israel who prophesy lies..." | Prophets of lies |
| 1 Kings | "...because they have blinded my people, and because they say 'Peace' when there is no peace," | Saying "Peace" when there is no peace |
| Micah | "If a man walks in the wind and false-hood, he will lie: 'I will prophesy to you of wine and strong drink,' he shall be the prophet of this people." | False prophets of pleasure |
| Matthew | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." | Warning against false prophets |
| Jeremiah | "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their own device; and my people love it so!" | People loving false prophecy |
| 1 Corinthians | "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions," | Love for pleasing lies |
| Isaiah 14 | "How you have fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Morning!" | Imagery of spiritual downfall |
| Isaiah 29 | "...and you shall be visited by the LORD of hosts with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire." | Divine judgment |
| Isaiah 44 | "Who gave Jacob to the spoil, and Israel to the plunderers? Has not the LORD, against whom we have sinned, and in whose ways they refused to walk, and whose law they would not obey?" | Israel's sinfulness |
| 2 Chronicles | "So the people went out into the field to gather their harvests, but the vinegrowers and the farmers gathered together and trampled grapes in the winepress, and trod them, and made merry, and went into their temple and ate and drank and cursed the king." | Revelry in defiance of God |
| Amos | "For thus says the LORD: ‘As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel who sit in Samaria on the corner of a couch and on the cushion of a divan.'" | Superficial deliverance |
| John | "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." | True teaching by the Spirit |
| Romans | "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." | True cost of sin |
| Psalm 50 | "You say, ‘You have done wickedly,’ they were so proud of their sin that they said, ‘Who is lord over us?’ But no man can convince me of guilt." | Pride and denial of sin |
| Galatians | "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the very things you wish to do." | Conflict between flesh and Spirit |
| Proverbs | "The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness." | God's preference for righteousness |
| Isaiah 5 | "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil..." | Perversion of truth |
Isaiah 30 verses
Isaiah 30 10 Meaning
This verse speaks about people wanting to hear pleasant words and teachings, not true prophecy. They prefer deceptive pronouncements that bring comfort and ease rather than God's challenging word that calls for repentance.
Isaiah 30 10 Context
Chapter 30 of Isaiah primarily addresses the kingdom of Judah during a period of severe political and spiritual crisis, likely in the 8th century BC. The people are contemplating an alliance with Egypt for military protection against the growing threat of Assyria. Isaiah is prophesying against this decision, advocating instead for trust in the Lord. He highlights their idolatry, reliance on human strength, and rejection of God's messengers and warnings. This particular verse captures the people's aversion to straightforward, God-inspired prophecies that speak of judgment and repentance, preferring instead flattering prophecies that promise ease and superficial victory.
Isaiah 30 10 Word Analysis
- qôl (קוֹל): "voice," "sound," "noise." Refers to audible utterances.
- lāhem (לָהֶם): "to them," "for them." Dative pronoun indicating the recipient.
- mōrîm (מֹרִים): "smooth things," "pleasant things," "flattering things." From the root marar (מָרַר), meaning "bitter," but in its Niphal form can mean "to make smooth" or "to make pleasing." The sense here is of speech that is deliberately made pleasing, often deceptively so.
- lāhem (לָהֶם): "to them," "for them."
- chĕzôn (חֶזְיֹון): "vision," "prophecy," "revelation." The content of divine foresight.
- ’al (אַל): "do not." A strong negative command.
- chĕzū (חֶזוּ): "see," "vision." Imperative form of chazah (חָזָה), meaning "to see," "to behold," "to prophesy."
- wĕnĕbī’îm (וּנְבִיאִים): "and prophets." Connected to the previous idea of seeing visions, emphasizing those who receive and convey divine messages.
- lānū (לָנוּ): "to us," "for us."
- lō’ (לֹא): "not," "no."
- dĕrêk (דֶּרֶךְ): "way," "path," "manner." Refers to the course of action or conduct.
- qōdesh (קֹדֶשׁ): "holy," "set apart," "sacred." Specifically "Holy One of Israel," a title for God.
- yĕra’ăq (יְרַק): "move away," "depart," "turn aside." Imperative, indicating a rejection or turning away.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions": This phrase encapsulates the people's demand for pleasantries and the rejection of unpalatable truth. They want to hear what is easy and comforting, not the difficult message of God's judgment or the demanding path of righteousness.
- "Cease to instruct us from the Holy One of Israel.": This is a direct repudiation of divine guidance and the authority of God. They actively wish to distance themselves from God’s holy directives and the revelations given by Him.
Isaiah 30 10 Bonus Section
This verse reveals a fundamental human tendency: the desire to avoid discomfort, even if that discomfort comes from divine truth meant for correction and ultimate salvation. The contrast is drawn between true prophecy, which can be harsh but leads to life, and false prophecy, which is pleasant but leads to destruction. The people’s demand to "cease from the Holy One of Israel" signifies a rejection not just of the message, but of the messenger's source and authority, which is God Himself. This echoes the New Testament warnings against teachers who will not tolerate sound doctrine but accumulate teachers pleasing to their own desires, a form of spiritual self-deception.
Isaiah 30 10 Commentary
The people of Judah, facing existential threat, do not seek God's true counsel; they seek comfort and confirmation of their own desires. Their ears are "itching" for smooth, pleasant words that bypass the need for repentance and trust in the Lord. They explicitly tell the prophets to avoid speaking of God's holiness and commands (which would call for a turning from their sinful ways), preferring instead misleading prophecies of peace and ease. This desire to be shielded from divine truth and judgment demonstrates a deep spiritual rebellion and a preference for the familiar, comfortable path of the flesh over the challenging, life-giving path of the Spirit. This is a classic example of ignoring God’s will in favor of personal desires, leading only to greater destruction.