Isaiah 30:2 kjv
That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
Isaiah 30:2 nkjv
Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
Isaiah 30:2 niv
who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh's protection, to Egypt's shade for refuge.
Isaiah 30:2 esv
who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!
Isaiah 30:2 nlt
For without consulting me,
you have gone down to Egypt for help.
You have put your trust in Pharaoh's protection.
You have tried to hide in his shade.
Isaiah 30 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 30:2 | "Who walk down to Egypt and have not asked at my mouth; to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt." | Isa 30:7; Jer 2:36 |
| Jer 2:36 | "Why do you go about so much changing your way? You will be put to shame by Egypt also, as you were put to shame by Assyria." | Isa 30:3; Isa 31:1 |
| Isa 31:1 | "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help and trust in horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong; but they have not looked unto the Holy One of Israel, neither sought the Lord." | Isa 30:2; Ps 20:7; Ps 33:16; Jer 17:5 |
| Ps 20:7 | "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." | Isa 30:2; Isa 31:1; Ps 33:16; Prov 18:10 |
| Ps 33:16 | "There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by great strength." | Isa 30:2; Isa 31:1; Ps 20:7; Ps 44:6 |
| Prov 18:10 | "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." | Isa 30:2; Ps 61:3; Prov 18:11 |
| Hos 7:11 | "Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria." | Isa 30:2; Isa 31:1 |
| Isa 31:3 | "Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together." | Isa 30:2; Jer 2:11-13; Ps 146:3-5 |
| Jer 2:18 | "And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?" | Isa 30:2; Ezek 16:26 |
| Jer 46:17 | "They shall cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a troubled noise; he hath left the time appointed." | Isa 30:2; Jer 46:2, 7, 15, 26 |
| Ezek 16:26 | "Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger." | Isa 30:2; Isa 57:3; Hos 7:11; Nah 3:8-10 |
| Nah 3:9 | "Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and that without end: but she is thy might and thy help. Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the head of all the streets: they cast lots upon her nobles, and all her princes were bound with chains." | Isa 30:2; Isa 45:14; Ezek 30:4-5 |
| 2 Chron 16:7 | "And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore hath the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand." | Isa 30:2; 1 Kings 15:19-20; Ps 146:3-5 |
| 2 Kings 17:4 | "Now when they at Jerusalem heard that the king of Assyria had set shimecomen into the Samaritans, and into other cities of the Syrians, they turned to them, and sought their counsel and help, to avoid being deported or paying too high tribute, even by not having confidence in God for their protection." | Isa 30:2; 2 Kings 18:19-21 |
| Ps 146:3 | "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help." | Isa 30:2; Isa 31:1; Ps 118:8-9 |
| Isa 2:22 | "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?" | Isa 30:2; Ps 146:3 |
| Rom 11:34 | "For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" | Isa 30:2; Job 21:22; Jer 23:18 |
| John 14:26 | "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." | Isa 30:2; John 16:13; 1 John 2:20 |
| Acts 1:8 | "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." | Isa 30:2; Isa 31:1; Joel 2:28-29 |
| Isa 40:31 | "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." | Isa 30:2; Ps 27:14; Ps 37:34 |
Isaiah 30 verses
Isaiah 30 2 Meaning
The verse speaks of Israel's alliance with Egypt for military strength, but God declares it futile and destructive. The strength sought from Egypt is deemed shameful and will bring no profit or advantage. It highlights the foolishness of turning to human power and worldly alliances instead of relying on God.
Isaiah 30 2 Context
Isaiah 30 is addressed to the Southern Kingdom of Judah during a time when they were facing threats from the Assyrian empire. The people of Judah were tempted to form an alliance with Egypt for military protection, rather than relying on God. The chapter's immediate context involves a specific diplomatic mission to Egypt. Prophetically, it fits within Isaiah's broader ministry of calling Judah back to faithfulness and warning them against idolatry and misplaced trust. Historically, Egypt was a regional power often involved in the political machinations of the ancient Near East, making an alliance appealing but ultimately a deviation from God's counsel. The chapter poles against the wisdom of relying on earthly powers, emphasizing God's sovereign power and His desire for His people to depend solely on Him.
Isaiah 30 2 Word Analysis
- to descend (Latin: descendere): Indicates going down physically. In this context, it implies a voluntary movement towards Egypt for aid.
- Hebrew: יורד (yarad) - meaning to go down, descend, go down to. It signifies a purposeful movement, often with an underlying purpose.
- to Egypt: Refers to the land of Egypt, a powerful ancient nation often sought for military and political support by surrounding kingdoms.
- Hebrew: מִצְרָ֑יִם (Mitzrayim) - the common Hebrew name for Egypt.
- and not inquired of my mouth: Signifies a lack of seeking divine guidance or direction from God. The "mouth" represents God's spoken word and will.
- Hebrew: וְלֹ֤א־שָׁאַ֙לוּ֙ מִפִּ֔י (velo-sha'alu mippi) - literally "and not asked from my mouth."
- וְלֹא (velo) - "and not."
- שָׁאַ֙לוּ֙ (sha'alu) - "they asked." (from SHA'AL - to ask, inquire, ask for). This verb implies a petition or seeking of information.
- מִפִּ֔י (mippi) - "from my mouth."
- Hebrew: וְלֹ֤א־שָׁאַ֙לוּ֙ מִפִּ֔י (velo-sha'alu mippi) - literally "and not asked from my mouth."
- to take refuge (Latin: confugere): To seek shelter or safety, to find a place of security.
- Hebrew: לְחֲס֤וֹת (lechasot) - meaning to take refuge, trust, shelter oneself. This word carries the nuance of finding security and confidence in something or someone.
- in the shadow (Latin: in umbra): Symbolically represents protection or cover. Here, it refers to the protection offered by Egypt.
- Hebrew: בְּצֵ֥ל (betzel) - meaning "in the shadow of." Shadows can offer respite but can also be unreliable or deceiving, depending on the source of light.
- of Egypt: The nation providing the "shadow" of protection.
- Hebrew: מִצְרַ֖יִם (Mitzrayim).
Group Analysis:The phrase "descend to Egypt and not inquired of my mouth" paints a stark picture of a people actively choosing an earthly solution over divine counsel. The emphasis is on their willful departure from God's leading ("my mouth") in pursuit of worldly aid ("Egypt"). Similarly, "to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt" highlights their misplaced trust. They are seeking a superficial, unreliable cover from a human nation instead of the unshakeable refuge found in God, whose "shadow" is life and safety (as seen in Ps 91:1).
Isaiah 30 2 Bonus Section
The allure of foreign alliances and military strength at the expense of spiritual fidelity is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, exemplified by other instances like Asa's alliance with Syria (2 Chron 16:7-9). The "shadow of Egypt" metaphor also serves as a stark contrast to God's protective "shadow," which offers true refuge. The rejection of God's spoken word (his "mouth") signifies a rejection of his covenant faithfulness and a leaning towards human pragmatism, a common pitfall for God's people throughout history. This verse's warning is timeless, applicable to any instance where believers prioritize worldly solutions over spiritual reliance.
Isaiah 30 2 Commentary
This verse critiques Judah's political strategy of relying on Egypt rather than God for protection against Assyria. Their action is seen as a rejection of God's direct guidance ("my mouth") and a foolish embrace of worldly security ("shadow of Egypt"). God pronounces that this alliance will ultimately be useless and bring shame. The "strength" they sought would prove to be weakness, leading to their downfall rather than deliverance. It underscores the theme that true safety and strength are found only in obedience and dependence on the Lord, not in human alliances or military might.