Isaiah 30 6

Isaiah 30:6 kjv

The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

Isaiah 30:6 nkjv

The burden against the beasts of the South. Through a land of trouble and anguish, From which came the lioness and lion, The viper and fiery flying serpent, They will carry their riches on the backs of young donkeys, And their treasures on the humps of camels, To a people who shall not profit;

Isaiah 30:6 niv

A prophecy concerning the animals of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lions and lionesses, of adders and darting snakes, the envoys carry their riches on donkeys' backs, their treasures on the humps of camels, to that unprofitable nation,

Isaiah 30:6 esv

An oracle on the beasts of the Negeb. Through a land of trouble and anguish, from where come the lioness and the lion, the adder and the flying fiery serpent, they carry their riches on the backs of donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people that cannot profit them.

Isaiah 30:6 nlt

This message came to me concerning the animals in the Negev: The caravan moves slowly
across the terrible desert to Egypt ?
donkeys weighed down with riches
and camels loaded with treasure ?
all to pay for Egypt's protection.
They travel through the wilderness,
a place of lionesses and lions,
a place where vipers and poisonous snakes live.
All this, and Egypt will give you nothing in return.

Isaiah 30 verses

Isaiah 30 6 Meaning

This verse describes the burdens and burdens that will be placed upon the land of Judah due to their misguided alliances and reliance on Egypt for help rather than on the Lord. The "beasts of the South" refers to Egypt and its military strength. The "treacherous associates" points to the people of Judah who turned to Egypt. The verse signifies divine judgment for their unfaithfulness.

Isaiah 30 6 Context

Chapter 30 of Isaiah addresses the people of Judah during a time when they are being threatened by the Assyrian empire. Instead of relying on the Lord for deliverance, the Judahites, particularly King Hezekiah, are making secret pacts and sending emissaries to Egypt for military aid. Isaiah pronounces a severe judgment against this decision. He exposes the folly of their reliance on Egypt, highlighting its weakness and deceitfulness. The chapter calls the people to repent and to trust in the Lord alone for salvation and strength. This particular verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle condemning the alliance with Egypt and predicting the consequences.

Isaiah 30 6 Word analysis

• And: Connects the following statement as a consequence or continuation of previous thoughts, emphasizing the result of their actions.

• he shall be brought: (Hebrew: hūvash) - Passive verb indicating the subject will be led or brought; implies helplessness and being subjected to external forces.

• to confusion: (Hebrew: būshah) - Means shame, disgrace, dismay, or put to shame. It signifies a state of embarrassment and failure resulting from misplaced trust.

• because of Egypt: (Hebrew: misp̱iṟaim) - From Egypt. Indicates Egypt as the source or cause of the coming confusion and shame.

• and they of them: (Hebrew: vēhem bāhem) - A plural pronoun referring to the people who are trusting in Egypt. The repetition emphasizes the people involved in this misdeed.

• shall be ashamed: (Hebrew: yiḵəleḇu) - Will be confounded or put to shame. A future tense verb, projecting the certainty of this negative outcome.

• for their reliance: (Hebrew: mibeṭaḥam) - From their trust or confidence. Refers to the source of their hope, which is misplaced.

• on them: (Hebrew: bohem) - Refers to Egypt. This prepositional phrase clarifies the object of their misplaced trust.

• The beasts of the South: (Hebrew: habbəhēmōth miyyērēḵav) - "Beasts" can symbolize powerful but untamed and ultimately dangerous nations. "South" (Yarech) is understood geographically as Egypt, which lay to the south of Judah. It paints Egypt as a powerful, potentially dangerous, yet ultimately useless ally, like wild animals.

• of the South, and the glory of their riders: This phrase likely refers to the Egyptian military might, particularly its cavalry, which was a significant feature of ancient warfare and symbolized power and pride.

• and they of them shall be ashamed for their reliance on them: This highlights the communal shame that will befall Judah. The reliance is on the powerful imagery of Egypt (beasts and riders), which will prove hollow, leading to disgrace.

Isaiah 30 6 Bonus section

The "beasts of the South" can also carry connotations of impurity and chaos in ancient Near Eastern thought, further denigrating Egypt as a source of reliance. The plural form "riders" suggests not just individual strength but the collective force and pride associated with Egyptian chariotry and cavalry, which Judah is foolishly counting on. This reliance on a foreign power mirrors a spiritual adultery, turning away from God their true husband. The consequence of shame is profound, as it signifies the exposure of their foolishness and God's judgment against their unfaithfulness.

Isaiah 30 6 Commentary

Isaiah condemns Judah's reliance on Egypt for security instead of God. Egypt, symbolized by powerful "beasts of the South" and its impressive "riders," will fail to deliver. Judah will consequently be "brought to confusion" and "ashamed" because their trust was misplaced. This passage is a stern warning against seeking human solutions for spiritual or national crises, emphasizing that true security and hope are found solely in the Lord. The imagery of beasts underscores Egypt's volatile and ultimately unreliable nature as a protector.