Isaiah 30:16 kjv
But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
Isaiah 30:16 nkjv
And you said, "No, for we will flee on horses"? Therefore you shall flee! And, "We will ride on swift horses"? Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift!
Isaiah 30:16 niv
You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.' Therefore you will flee! You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.' Therefore your pursuers will be swift!
Isaiah 30:16 esv
and you said, "No! We will flee upon horses"; therefore you shall flee away; and, "We will ride upon swift steeds"; therefore your pursuers shall be swift.
Isaiah 30:16 nlt
You said, 'No, we will get our help from Egypt.
They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.'
But the only swiftness you are going to see
is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
Isaiah 30 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 30:16 | "But you said, ‘No, we will flee on horses!’ Therefore you shall flee!" | Loyalty to God’s way |
| Isa 30:17 | "A thousand will flee at the threat of one, at the threat of five you will flee..." | Judgment on unbelief |
| Isa 31:1 | "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help..." | Trust in Egypt condemned |
| Jer 2:36 | "Why do you go about so much, changing your ways? You will be put to shame..." | Spiritual whoredom |
| Jer 17:5 | "Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man..." | Man's foolish trust |
| Ps 146:3 | "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help." | Reliance on princes |
| Prov 3:5 | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." | Lean not on your own might |
| Hos 10:13 | "You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit..." | Reaping what is sown |
| Deut 28:64 | "And the Lord will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to..." | Consequences of disobedience |
| Mic 3:11 | "Her princes contend for rewards, her priests teach for hire..." | Corrupt leadership |
| Zech 1:4 | "Be not like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says..." | Hearkening to God’s word |
| John 3:36 | "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life..." | Faith in the Son |
| Acts 4:12 | "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven..." | Salvation in Christ alone |
| Gal 5:4 | "You are severed from Christ, you who seek to be justified by law; you have..." | Falling from grace |
| Heb 12:15 | "See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God..." | Unfaithfulness brings ruin |
| Rev 18:4 | "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share..." | Warning from Babylon |
| Psa 20:7 | "Some boast in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord..." | Contrast in trust |
| Isa 40:31 | "but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up..." | Waiting on the Lord |
| Eph 6:10 | "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." | Spiritual strength |
| 1 Sam 17:45 | "Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword and with a spear..." | David's trust in God |
| Psa 33:17 | "The war horse is a false hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save." | Futility of horses |
| Isa 2:7 | "Their land is also full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasuries..." | Reliance on earthly wealth |
Isaiah 30 verses
Isaiah 30 16 Meaning
The people of Israel rejected God's wise counsel and relied on chariots and horses, signifying their trust in military might and human strength. God declares that their reliance will be in vain, leading to their defeat and ruin because they trusted in Egypt for help. This verse is a strong declaration of God's judgment upon unfaithfulness.
Isaiah 30 16 Context
Chapter 30 of Isaiah continues the prophet's denunciation of Judah's alliance with Egypt. Judah, facing Assyrian threats, sought military aid from Egypt instead of trusting in the Lord. Isaiah strongly condemns this policy, calling it a betrayal of their covenant with God. He foretells severe judgment for this unfaithfulness, highlighting their misplaced trust in chariots, horses, and human alliances over divine protection.
Isaiah 30 16 Word Analysis
But (wa - וְ) : A conjunction introducing a contrast to the preceding statement.
you (ʼattem - אַתֶּם) : Plural pronoun, referring to the leadership and people of Judah.
said (ʼāmar·tə– (וַתֹּאמְרוּ) : Verb, past tense, indicating a spoken decision or declaration.
“No (lōʼ – לֹא) : Negative particle, an emphatic refusal.
we (rĕkəb – נִרְכַּב) : First-person plural pronoun.
will flee (bā·rōaḥ – לִבְרֹחַ) : Verb, future tense, signifying escape or flight.
on ( ʻal – עַל) : Preposition indicating means or instrument.
horses (sús·sîm – סוּסִים) : Noun, plural, referring to steeds or cavalry, a symbol of military strength and reliance.
!” : Punctuation indicating direct speech and a strong assertion.
Therefore (kî – כִּי) : Conjunction indicating consequence or reason.
you (ti–bərā·ḥûn – תִּבְרְחוּ) : Second-person plural pronoun, verb, future tense, receiving the consequence of their stated intention.
shall flee (wə·hîn·nêh – וְהִנֵּה) : Imperative form or statement of certainty, combined with 'behold' or 'indeed,' emphasizing the unavoidable nature of the flight.
Words group analysis: "No, we will flee on horses!" is a collective declaration of misplaced confidence, rejecting God's counsel for perceived earthly security, symbolized by horse cavalry. "Therefore you shall flee!" is the divine response, revealing the ultimate futility of their chosen path, turning their perceived strength into their downfall.
Isaiah 30 16 Bonus Section
The phrase "flee on horses" is rich with symbolism. In ancient warfare, chariots and cavalry represented supreme military power and advanced technology. For Judah to declare they would rely on this signifies a deliberate turning away from God's promise of protection and a dependence on human ingenuity and might, mirroring the strategies of the powerful nations around them. This pursuit of earthly security mirrors a spiritual compromise, where covenant faithfulness is abandoned for practical, but ultimately hollow, solutions. The ultimate "fleeing" foreshadows the exile and dispersion they would face due to their unfaithfulness.
Isaiah 30 16 Commentary
This verse highlights a critical human tendency to trust in visible power rather than the unseen hand of God. The declaration "No, we will flee on horses!" is a definitive rejection of God's warning and wisdom. The choice of "horses" symbolizes relying on worldly means, military might, and strategic alliances. This refusal to heed God's instruction reveals a heart entrenched in fear and a lack of faith. Consequently, God pronounces judgment: their chosen method of escape will become the very means of their destruction and flight. Their perceived security on horses will lead to their actual, forced flight, likely in terror and defeat. This serves as a timeless lesson on the perils of seeking security apart from God.