Isaiah 30:2 - Exposition

That walk ; or, are on their way (comp. Isaiah 31:1 ). Either the Jewish ambassadors have already started, or the anticipatory vision of the prophet sees them as if starting. In the history ( 2 Kings 18:13-37 ; Isaiah 36:1-22 ) it is not expressly said that Hezekiah made application to Egypt for aid; but the reproaches of Rabshakeh ( 2 Kings 18:21 , 2 Kings 18:24 ) would be pointless if he had not done so. Have not asked at my mouth . As they ought to have done (see Numbers 27:21 ; 1:1 ; 20:18 ; 1 Samuel 23:2 ; 1 Kings 22:7 , etc.). To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh . It is very uncertain who is the "Pharaoh" here intended. The supreme power over Egypt was probably, at the time, in the hands of Tirkakah ( 2 Kings 19:9 ); but Lower Egypt seems to have been ruled by various princes, the chief of whom was Shabatok, and any one of these may have been regarded by Isaiah as a "Pharaoh." To trust in the shadow of Egypt. Trust in the "shadow of God" was an expression very familiar to the Jews (see Psalms 17:8 ; Psalms 36:7 ; Psalms 63:7 ; Psalms 91:1 ; Isaiah 25:4 ; Isaiah 32:2 ). To "trust in the shadow of Egypt" was to put Egypt in the place of God.