Isaiah 30 12

Isaiah 30:12 kjv

Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

Isaiah 30:12 nkjv

Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: "Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them,

Isaiah 30:12 niv

Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit,

Isaiah 30:12 esv

Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, "Because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them,

Isaiah 30:12 nlt

This is the reply of the Holy One of Israel: "Because you despise what I tell you
and trust instead in oppression and lies,

Isaiah 30 verses

Isaiah 30 12 Meaning

This verse speaks of the rejection of divine guidance and the consequent pronouncements of judgment by God. It signifies a wilful turning away from God's truth and the choosing of paths that lead to destruction, specifically pointing to the failure of reliance on Egypt.

Isaiah 30 12 Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's prophecy addressed to the Kingdom of Judah, specifically during a time when they were considering alliances with Egypt for military support against the encroaching Assyrian empire. Isaiah is denouncing this reliance on foreign powers and advocating for trust in God alone for deliverance. The immediate context is God’s response to their misplaced confidence, highlighting their rejection of His word and His prophetic messenger. The broader context involves the ongoing apostasy and spiritual blindness of Judah, leading to a cycle of seeking help from external, ultimately useless, sources rather than turning to the Lord. This chapter as a whole contrasts God’s desire to be gracious with Judah’s obstinate rebellion.

Isaiah 30 12 Word Analysis

• Therefore (v'al ken / על־כן): This signifies a consequence; because of what has preceded.

• thus (ko / כֹּה): In this manner; as follows.

• says (amar / אָמַר): Speaks; declares; commands.

• the Holy One (qidōsh / קָדוֹשׁ): This is one of God's key attributes, emphasizing His absolute separation from sin and His perfect nature. It is a title of supreme reverence.

• of Israel (yiśrā'ēl / יִשְׂרָאֵל): Refers to God's covenant people, reminding them of their relationship and His promises to them.

• because (mippĕnê / מִפְּנֵי): Due to; on account of.

• ye (atem / אַתֶּם): Plural pronoun, addressing the leadership and people of Judah.

• despise (mə'alměqaqlîm / מְעַלְמְקִים): From the root 'lamad', meaning to scorn, to contemn, to set at nought, to rebel against. It implies a deliberate rejection and disregard.

• this word (hā'dābār / הַדָּבָר): Refers to the prophecy, the instruction, the message delivered by Isaiah.

• and trust (wəfōbāṭîm / וּפוֹטָעִים): From the root 'batsach', meaning to trust, to confide in, to lean upon. It signifies placing reliance and security.

• in oppression (bəha'ôsheq / בְּהֹעֹשֶׁק): From 'âshaq', meaning violence, injury, deceit, wrong, injustice. It refers to relying on what is achieved through wrongful means or unjust actions.

• and perverseness (u vǝreḵāvâ / וּבְרֶכֶב): The exact word used here is berchev (בְּרֶכֶב) meaning 'chariots' or 'horsemen'. This implies reliance on military strength and power, particularly referring to the chariots of Egypt, as discussed in the broader context. It represents their reliance on human might rather than divine might.

• and stay thereon (vǝtiṯmaḵnū bâhem / וְתִתְמְכָן בָּהֶם): From the root 'mákak', meaning to support, to hold, to rely on. They lean on and find support in these military means and deceptive agreements.

• say (lĕ'mōr / לֵאמֹר): To say; to speak.

• We (aḥănû / אֲנַחְנוּ): Plural pronoun, speaking for the people of Judah.

• have made (kāratnû / כָּרַתְנוּ): We have cut. In Hebrew, 'cutting' a covenant signifies establishing a binding agreement.

• a covenant (bĕrît / בְּרִית): A solemn agreement or promise, often sealed by a sacrifice.

• with death (māvēth / מָוֶת): Refers to the power or state of mortality and destruction.

• and with hell (ušĕ'ôl / וּשְׁאֹל): Sheol, the grave or the underworld, representing the dominion of the dead, often associated with destruction and despair.

• are we at agreement (kāratnû šālôm / כָּרַתְנוּ שָׁלוֹם): We have made peace. This signifies a treaty or a pact that they believe will secure them against disaster.

• when the overflowing scourge (kî 'ēṯ šûṭ haššēṭef / כִּי־עֵת שׁוּט הַשּׁטֶף): When the overwhelming, sweeping flood or torrent of judgment and destruction comes.

• shall pass through (ya'abōr / יַעֲבֹר): To go over, to pass over.

• it shall not come (lô'- yābô' / לֹא־ יָבֹא): It will not enter.

• unto us ( 'ălê nû / עָלֵינוּ): Upon us.

• for (kî / כִּי): Because; since.

• we have made (śimnû / שַׂמְנוּ): We have put; appointed.

• lies (keḥĕz / כָּזָב): Falsehood; deception.

• our refuge (māḥseh / מַחְסֶה): Our shelter; our place of safety.

• and under falsehood (uḵāṯār / וּבְכָסוּת): And under a covering; in disguise; in concealment. It refers to hiding behind deception.

• have we hid ourselves (nisṭǎr || wĕnêstar / וְנִסְתַּרְנוּ): We have concealed ourselves; hidden.

• Words/phrases grouped:

  • "despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon" (7350, 1697, 3966, 1462, 2296, 1121, 5927, 4730) - highlights their contempt for God's message and their reliance on harmful alliances and military might.
  • "made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement" (3772, 4193, 3095, 1296, 3095, 4568, 2002, 4568) - signifies a desperate pact to avoid judgment, equating it with an agreement with the ultimate forces of destruction.
  • "when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves" (3597, 882, 8159, 2483, 7453, 8383, 3597, 1028, 2244, 3874, 4101, 3949) - exposes the foolishness of their supposed security; their trust in deceptive strategies and broken promises makes them vulnerable, not secure.

Isaiah 30 12 Bonus Section

The concept of making a "covenant with death" or "agreement with Sheol" is a powerful metaphor for choosing paths that lead to spiritual and often physical demise. It highlights the extreme alienation from God that results from outright rebellion. The chosen reliance on chariots, mentioned in the literal sense for brechev, points to a human-centric approach to security, an avoidance of the humility required to depend on God. This theme is reiterated in the New Testament with Jesus' warning about serving two masters (Matthew 6:24) and the dangers of worldly wisdom over God's foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). The verse underscores that true safety is found in alignment with God’s will, not in self-fashioned escape routes built on lies and worldly might.

Isaiah 30 12 Commentary

This verse serves as a stern declaration from God, identified by His holy nature. The people of Judah have actively rejected His word, His clear pronouncements, through His prophet Isaiah. Their trust is placed in external political and military powers, specifically Egypt, depicted here through "oppression and perverseness" and their reliance on chariots ("perverseness" being translated from brechev which refers to horses and chariots). They believe they have secured themselves against divine judgment by forming treaties and agreements with the very powers of destruction ("death" and "Sheol"). They imagine that even when disaster ("the overflowing scourge") sweeps through, it will bypass them because they have hidden themselves behind lies and deceit. However, God’s pronouncement in the subsequent verses of this chapter reveals the futility of their plans and the severe consequences of their disobedience: they will indeed be trodden down by the very forces they sought to employ for their protection. This reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of divine sovereignty and the true nature of security, which comes only from obedience and trust in God, not in human schemes or deceptive alliances.