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Isaiah 30:1 open_in_new
Cover, etc.] seek pretence to conceal their designs (Isaiah 29:15).
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Isaiah 30:1-33 open_in_new
1-7. The Egyptian alliance is profitless.
8-11. The perversity of Judah,
12-17. and its disastrous consequences.
18-26. There is a glorious prospect for the repentant people.
27-33 But first Jehovah will destroy the Assyrian.
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Isaiah 30:4 open_in_new
Were.. came] RV 'are.. come': the ambassadors of Judah go from place to place in Egypt seeking aid.
Zoan (Gk. Tanis) and Hanes (Gk. Heracleopolis) were both cities in the Delta of the Nile.
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Isaiah 30:5 open_in_new
Were all] RV 'shall all be.' A people] Egypt.
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Isaiah 30:6 open_in_new
The burden.. south] a title prefixed to the short utterance, Isaiah 30:6; Isaiah 30:7. Burden] see Isaiah 13:1.
South] Negeb, i.e. the desert tract S. of Judah on the way to Egypt. The v. pictures the journey of the Judæan ambassadors through a district infested with dangerous beasts, their camels and asses laden with presents, wherewith they hope to purchase Egypt's aid.
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Isaiah 30:7 open_in_new
This] i.e. Jerusalem (according to AV), who, instead of thus seeking foreign aid, ought to rest confident in Jehovah's protection (Isaiah 30:15). But more probably the reference is to Egypt. 'Therefore have I called her Rahab that sitteth still' (RV), i.e. is inactive in the day when help is expected from her (Isaiah 36:6). 'Rahab' ('pride'): a symbolic name for Egypt, as in Isaiah 51:9.
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Isaiah 30:8 open_in_new
Write it] i.e. the foregoing prophecy or the name Rahab (Isaiah 8:1). Table] RV 'tablet.'
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Isaiah 30:9 open_in_new
The law] i.e. oral instruction given through the prophet (Isaiah 8:16).
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Isaiah 30:13 open_in_new
This iniquity] i.e. disregard of Isaiah's admonition and reliance on Egypt is a symptom of ruin, like the bulging of a wall on the point of falling.
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Isaiah 30:15 open_in_new
In returning, etc.] i.e. in giving up your restless trust in man and calmly relying upon Jehovah.
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Isaiah 30:16 open_in_new
It was the reputation of its cavalry especially that made Egypt so desirable an ally (Isaiah 36:9).
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Isaiah 30:17 open_in_new
One thousand, etc.] the words indicate the complete rout (Leviticus 26:8).
Beacon.. ensign] striking symbols of solitariness.
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Isaiah 30:18 open_in_new
Wait] The above threatenings are conditional, Jehovah will wait to give them an opportunity of repentance. Of judgment] and therefore not unduly severe.
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Isaiah 30:20 open_in_new
Removed.. corner] RV 'hidden'; the prophets will not need to hide themselves but will be publicly recognised.
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Isaiah 30:22 open_in_new
The altered frame of mind manifested in destraction of idols. Covering.. ornament] RV 'overlaying.. plating.'
23-26. treat of the corresponding change in nature which shall mark the ideal future (Isaiah 4:2).
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Isaiah 30:24 open_in_new
Clean] 'salted.' Even the cattle shall not lack carefully prepared and seasoned provender.
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Isaiah 30:25 open_in_new
Slaughter] i.e. of the Assyrians.
Towers] siegetowers.
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Isaiah 30:26 open_in_new
Breach] RV 'hurt.'
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Isaiah 30:27 open_in_new
Reverts to the more immediate future, the judgment on the Assyrians which is preparatory to the great future. The name] practically equivalent to 'the manifestation.'
And.. heavy] RV 'and in thick rising smoke,' smoke being a symbol of anger.
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Isaiah 30:28 open_in_new
With.. vanity] i.e. the sifting will reduce them to nothingness.
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Isaiah 30:29 open_in_new
Ye] i.e. God's own people.
Mighty One] RV 'Rock' implies that Jehovah is the strength of His people.
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Isaiah 30:30 open_in_new
Voice] the thunder. Jehovah's wrath is figured as a storm. Scattering] RV 'a blast.'
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Isaiah 30:31 open_in_new
Beaten down] RV 'broken in pieces.'
Which smote] see Isaiah 10:24.
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Isaiah 30:32 open_in_new
And.. pass] RM 'And every stroke of doom.' With tabrets, etc.] i.e. with songs of exultation on the part of God's people. With it] RV 'with them.'
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Isaiah 30:33 open_in_new
The destruction of the Assyrian set forth under the image of a funeral pyre. Tophet] 'a Tophet,' i.e. a place of burning. The name was given to the valley of Hinnom, where, previous to Hezekiah's accession, sacrifices were offered by fire (2 Kings 16:3). The breath, etc.] It is here indicated as elsewhere (cp. Isaiah 31:8) that the destruction of the Assyrians shall not be brought about by human agency.
Warnings to Judah
These Chapter s refer to the state of affairs during the reign of Hezekiah, when Palestine was threatened by Assyria, and an influential party in Judah favoured resistance, relying on the support of Egypt; a line of policy consistently opposed by Isaiah.