Isaiah 30:1-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 30:1-7

It was often the fault and folly of the people of the Jews that, when they were insulted by their neighbours on one side, they sought for succour from their neighbours on the other side, instead of looking up to God and putting their confidence in him. Against the Israelites they sought to the Syrians, 2 Chron. 16:2, 3. Against the Syrians they sought to the Assyrians, 2 Kgs. 16:7. Against the Assyrians they here sought to the Egyptians, and Rabshakeh upbraided them with so doing, 2 Kgs.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 30:1

Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord ,.... The Jews, who were, by national adoption, and by outward profession of religion, the "children" of God, but were apostates from him, had turned their backs upon him, deviated from his law, and departed from his worship and ordinances; and therefore a woe is pronounced against them, or they are called upon to consider of their evil ways, and return, that iniquity might not be their ruin: that take counsel, but not of me ; they met and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 30:2

That walk to go down into Egypt ,.... That walk out of their own land to go thither; who sent messengers thither to form an alliance, and get help and assistance, or went in person, to secure themselves from present danger. Jarchi refers this to the times of Hoshea, the son of Elah, king of Israel, who sent messengers to So, king of Egypt, 2 Kings 17:4 . Jerom to the times of Jeremiah, to the history in his prophecy, Jeremiah 41:17 and others to Zedekiah. Kimchi thinks it respects the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 30:3

Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame ,.... They should be disappointed of the help and assistance they expected from him, and so be ashamed of their ally, and of confidence in him: and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion ; they should be confounded, when they should find themselves unsupported by the Egyptians, in whom they put their confidence; so all such that trust in the creature, or in an arm of flesh, sooner or later are ashamed and confounded; but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 30:4

For his princes were at Zoan ,.... That is, the princes of the king of Judah, or of the people of Judah; though it can hardly be thought that princes should be sent ambassadors into Egypt, to enter into an alliance, or request help, without the knowledge, leave, and consent, and indeed order, of the king, under which character they went, as appears from the following clause: and his ambassadors came to Hanes ; these are the same with the princes, for such were sent on this embassy, both... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 30:1

And that cover with a covering "Who ratify covenants" - Hebrews "Who pour out a libation." Sacrifice and libation were ceremonies constantly used, in ancient times by most nations in the ratifying of covenants: a libation therefore is used for a covenant, as in Greek the word σπονδη , for the same reason, stands for both. This seems to be the most easy explication of the Hebrew phrase, and it has the authority of the Septuagint, εποιησατε συνθηκας . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 30:4

Hanes - Six MSS. of Kennicott's, and perhaps six others, with four of De Rossi's, read חנם chinnam , in vain, for הנס Hanes ; and so also the Septuagint, who read likewise יגעו yageu , labored, for יגיעו yaggiu , arrived at. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 30:1

Woe to the rebellious children (comp. Isaiah 1:23 ; Isaiah 65:2 ). The word translated "rebellious" is used in Deuteronomy 21:18 , Deuteronomy 21:20 of the persistently disobedient son, who was to be brought before the elders and stoned to death. That take counsel ; rather, that form plans , such as the plan now formed to call in the aid of Egypt. It must be borne in mind that, under the theocracy, there was an authorized mode of consulting God, and receiving an answer from him,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 30:1

Adding sin to sin. This prophetic warning seems to have been spoken when the embassy to seek offensive and defensive alliance with Egypt had actually started on its way. The sin of neglecting to seek direction from God in the time of national anxiety was now added to by the sin of openly seeking help from man. There was a constant disposition on the part of the Jews of the later monarchy to seek their safety in national alliances. When imperiled by the Israelites, they sought help from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 30:1-7

THE ALLIANCE WITH EGYPT OPENLY REBUKED . In the preceding chapter ( Isaiah 30:15 ) the design of the Jewish rulers to seek the alliance of Egypt was covertly glanced at and condemned; now it is openly declared and rebuked. The rulers are warned that no good can possibly come of it, even in a worldly sense. The Egyptians will give no aid, or at any rate no effectual aid. The sums expended in purchasing their friendship will be utterly thrown away. read more

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