Isaiah 30 9

Isaiah 30:9 kjv

That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

Isaiah 30:9 nkjv

That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the LORD;

Isaiah 30:9 niv

For these are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD's instruction.

Isaiah 30:9 esv

For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD;

Isaiah 30:9 nlt

that these people are stubborn rebels
who refuse to pay attention to the LORD's instructions.

Isaiah 30 verses

Isaiah 30 9 Meaning

This verse condemns the people of Israel for their persistent disobedience and reliance on false hopes and deceptive alliances rather than on God. They are called rebellious children who disregard God’s instructions and warnings.

Isaiah 30 9 Context

Chapter 30 of Isaiah primarily addresses the southern kingdom of Judah during a time when they are considering an alliance with Egypt against the Assyrians. Isaiah is God’s prophet delivering God’s message to the people of Judah and their leadership. The people are characterized by their persistent sinfulness and their tendency to look to outward strength and political maneuvering rather than to God for deliverance. They are repeatedly warned against trusting in Egypt, which is portrayed as a powerless and unreliable ally. This specific verse, Isaiah 30:9, serves as a direct accusation from God against the people of Judah, highlighting their spiritual blindness and rebellious nature that prevents them from heeding God’s prophetic warnings and instructions.

Isaiah 30 9 Word Analysis

• Ki (כִּי): A conjunction meaning "for," "because," "that," or "surely." Here it introduces the reason for God’s pronouncement against them.

• 'am ('ַם): Means "people" or "nation." It refers to the entire populace of Israel or Judah.

• meri (מְרִי): "Rebellion," "defiance," "stubbornness." This is a strong word indicating open opposition to authority.

• banim (בָּנִים): "Sons," "children." Emphasizes their relationship to God as a covenant people, making their rebellion even more poignant.

• 'achar ('ָחַר): "After," "behind." Implies following, pursuing, or being influenced by something.

• lo' (לֹא): "Not." A negative particle.

• 'e'laqey ('ֶלְקֵי): "To receive," "to accept." They refuse to accept or heed God’s instruction.

• qova' (קֹבַע): A rare word, possibly meaning "instruction," "teaching," or "lesson." Related to "qava" (to gather, collect).

• sheker (שֶׁקֶר): "Lies," "falsehood," "deceit." Refers to the deceptive counsel and reliance on false sources of help.

• la'sheved (לְלַמֵּד): "To teach," "to learn," "to instruct." They refuse the teaching of God's prophets.

• melo (מְלֹא): "Fulness," "completion." The hearts are filled with something.

• halashon (הַלָּשׁוֹן): "The tongue," "language." This refers to their speech and communication, but here it represents their minds and hearts, their inner disposition and the words they speak that are based on deceit. It conveys a sense of pervasive, habitual lying and self-deception.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "For they are a rebellious people,": This phrase establishes the core accusation. It's not an isolated incident but a characteristic of the nation. The term "rebellious" carries the weight of disobedience and opposition to rightful authority, God's authority.
  • "children who refuse to listen to the Lord's instruction,": This highlights the nature of their rebellion. It's specifically a refusal to heed divine guidance given through prophets and law. The term "children" emphasizes their covenant relationship, making their refusal a betrayal.
  • "They fill their mouths with lies,": This describes their outward expression of their inner rebellion. Their words are filled with falsehood, likely spoken words of defiance or the misleading justifications for their actions. It points to a pervasive insincerity.
  • "and they turn aside to follow deceitful counsel.": This explains the consequence of refusing God’s instruction and speaking lies. They actively seek and embrace deceptive strategies and misleading advice, which, in the context of Isaiah 30, refers to their plans to ally with Egypt instead of trusting God. The Hebrew term for "follow" ('achar) implies actively pursuing or being influenced by these lies.

Isaiah 30 9 Bonus Section

The emphasis on "rebellious children" reflects a common theme in the Old Testament where God’s relationship with Israel is often described in familial terms (Father and children). This highlights the brokenness of the covenant relationship. The "lies" and "deceitful counsel" mentioned can be understood as internalizing and then articulating falsehoods, reflecting a deep cognitive dissonance and a preference for comforting lies over challenging truths. The term "tongue" in Hebrew often carries the connotation of the heart or the inner being, so it speaks of their inner disposition being filled with deceit. This verse is foundational in understanding the prophetic critique of misplaced trust, a warning echoed throughout scripture, urging believers to rely solely on God's promises and His covenant faithfulness rather than worldly powers or cunning plans.

Isaiah 30 9 Commentary

This verse paints a grim picture of a people alienated from God due to their deliberate choices. They have a deeply ingrained pattern of rebellion that manifests in their inability and unwillingness to hear God's clear instructions. Their rejection of God’s word leads them to embrace falsehood and deceptive strategies for security, demonstrating a profound spiritual and intellectual distortion. This makes them incapable of discerning truth from error, actively choosing a path of self-destruction under the guise of seeking safety. The focus is on their active turning away from God and towards things that ultimately cannot save them.