Isaiah 30 4

Isaiah 30:4 kjv

For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.

Isaiah 30:4 nkjv

For his princes were at Zoan, And his ambassadors came to Hanes.

Isaiah 30:4 niv

Though they have officials in Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes,

Isaiah 30:4 esv

For though his officials are at Zoan and his envoys reach Hanes,

Isaiah 30:4 nlt

For though his power extends to Zoan
and his officials have arrived in Hanes,

Isaiah 30 verses

Isaiah 30 4 Meaning

This verse highlights a period of divine judgment and the consequences of disobedient actions, specifically relating to misplaced trust in foreign alliances over God. The people of Judah will face tribulation due to their reliance on Egypt for military aid, which will prove futile and shameful.

Isaiah 30 4 Context

Chapter 30 of Isaiah begins a series of prophecies concerning Judah's dealings with foreign powers, particularly Egypt. The people of Judah, facing threats from Assyria, were considering an alliance with Egypt for military support, despite Isaiah's warnings against such reliance. This chapter addresses their unwise decision to seek help from a powerful but ultimately ineffective and untrustworthy nation. The primary audience is the people of Judah during the reigns of Hezekiah or Manasseh, when such alliances were a real political consideration. The prophet's message serves as a stark rebuke and a call to trust solely in God for salvation and protection, warning of the shame and disaster that will result from their political maneuvering.

Isaiah 30 4 Word Analysis

• "Therefore thus says the Lord:" (V'al ken koh amar Adonai)

  • "Therefore" (V'al ken - וְעַל־כֵּן): Connects this declaration to the preceding condemnation of Judah's plans. It signifies consequence.
  • "thus says the Lord" (koh amar Adonai - כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה): A formal prophetic formula, establishing divine authority and the absolute certainty of the message. This is a key identifier of genuine prophecy, contrasting with false counsel.

• "to you" (lakhem - לָכֶם): Direct address to the people of Judah.

• "O rebellious children," (banim sor'rim - בָּנִים סֹרְרִים):

  • "children" (banim - בָּנִים): Evokes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, His adopted sons. This term heightens the betrayal inherent in their rebellion.
  • "rebellious" (sor'rim - סֹרְרִים): From the root sur (סוּר), meaning to turn aside, depart, or be rebellious. It describes a persistent turning away from God and His ways.

• "the destruction" (ne'um Adonai - נְאֻם־יְהוָה): The Lord's pronouncement of doom. It emphasizes the devastating nature of what is to come.

  • This phrasing signifies God's active judgment and definitive pronouncement against their actions.

• "of your covering" (mechicah - מְשִׁיחָה):

  • Could refer to a protective shield or a diplomatic treaty/alliance that was intended to provide security. In the context of Egypt, it implies reliance on an external defense system.
  • This implies a sense of being sheltered or protected by something, which God declares will fail.

• "and of your fortress" (umatar'ooth - וּמַעֲמָד)

  • Literally, "standing place" or "position." In this context, it likely refers to their strongholds or fortified cities that they relied on, symbolizing their perceived defensive capabilities.
  • This word choice contrasts human fortifications with divine protection.

• "not in my Spirit" (loh beru'chi - לֹא בְרוּחִי):

  • "Spirit" (ru'ach - רוּחַ): Refers to God's power, His presence, and His active guidance and strength. It signifies reliance on divine enablement rather than human strategies or power.
  • The core issue is the failure to depend on God's wisdom and might, choosing instead a human-centered strategy.

• "that I may add sorrow to sorrow" (le'hosiph hēmelech al hemu­nāh - לְהוֹסִיף חֹמֶר עַל־הֵמָּה):

  • "add" (le'hosiph - לְהוֹסִיף): To append or accumulate.
  • "sorrow" (hēmelech - חֹמֶר): While translated as sorrow here, hemu­nāh (הֵמָּה) is more commonly "heat," "fever," or "bitterness." It implies a deepening distress, a worsening of their affliction, perhaps referring to the overwhelming weight of their distress.
  • The emphasis is on the compounding of troubles because of their continued disobedience.

Isaiah 30 4 Bonus Section

The imagery of Egypt as a "covering" or "fortress" implies a superficial and unreliable source of security, much like trying to hide under a thin blanket during a storm. The Hebrew term mechicah suggests a garment or a cover, while matar'ooth refers to a place of standing or perhaps fortifications. These human means of defense are set against God's ruach (Spirit), His dynamic presence and power, which is the only true source of lasting protection and salvation. The verse is a foundational statement about the principle of faith: genuine security comes from adherence to God's will and reliance on His power, not from strategic human arrangements.

Isaiah 30 4 Commentary

Isaiah 30:4 serves as a pivotal declaration in the chapter, directly linking Judah's current rebellious posture with impending doom. The prophet begins by unequivocally stating God's judgment using the formal "thus says the Lord." He then identifies the specific failing of the people: their status as "rebellious children." This parental metaphor highlights their deep-seated disobedience and failure to heed God's commands, despite their covenantal relationship. The prophecy declares that the protective measures and fortifications (represented by Egypt's strength, interpreted as a "covering" or "fortress" here) they have sought are ultimately useless. The critical phrase "not in my Spirit" points to the root of their failure: they are acting without God's divine counsel, power, or blessing. This reliance on human effort and foreign alliances, rather than on the Lord's promised provision and protection, will only compound their suffering, adding "sorrow to sorrow." The verse starkly contrasts seeking earthly security with trusting in heavenly faithfulness.