Isaiah 30

1 that cover with a covering. “Weave a web,” referring to the proposed treaty.

not of My spirit. Contrary to the warnings of My prophets.

4 his princes. The princes, or nobles, of Judah. They wait on the frontier while their envoys go forward to the interior: see note on “Zoan,” Psa. lxxviii. 12. “Hanes” is probably “Hnés,” or “Ehnés,” in Middle Egypt, on the west side of the Nile; called by the Greeks Heracleopolis.

6. The burden (oracle) of the beasts of the south. The title of the brief prediction that follows. The prophet sees the Jewish messengers going down to Egypt with their gifts, to secure a favourable reception, and exclaims, “Through the land of trouble and anguish,” etc. The asses and camels carry the presents through the desert, and to no good purpose at the end.

7. Therefore have I cried concerning this, etc.

The best expositors render this, “Therefore I have named her Rahab that sitteth still.” The name “Rahab,” meaning “pride” or “arrogance” (Job ix. 13; xxvi. 12), is used poetically for Egypt (see Psa. lxxxvii. 4; lxxxix. 10; Isa. ii. 9). “Blustering and inactivity, blustering and sitting still, that is her character” (G. A. Smith).

9. That this is a rebellious people. Rather (as R.V.), “For this is a rebellious people. The reason why the oracle (6, 7) was to be written down, to witness against their perversity.

12 this word. That is, the messages of the prophets (9, 10), in particular the warning against invoking Egyptian aid: a policy stigmatised as “iniquity” (13).

13. Swelling out. Or, bulging like an Eastern wall of unburnt bricks: comp. “a bowing wall” (Psa. lxii. 3).

14. And He shall break it. Rather, “and its breaking shall be as the breaking of a potter’s vessel, a shattering unsparingly,” etc. The punishment will be sudden (13) and complete (14). a sherd. A fragment of pottery: see Job ii. 8.

15. In returning and rest. That is, in returning obediently to the precepts, and quietly confiding in the covenant of the Holy One of Israel: see ver. 11. “Isaiah preached no submission to fate, but reverence for an all-wise Ruler, whose method was plain to every clear-sighted observer of the fortunes of the nations of the world, and whose purpose could only be love and peace to His own people” (G. A. Smith).

16 we will flee upon horses. For which Egypt was famous (xxxi. 1): see note on 1 Kings x. 29.

17. One thousand [shall flee], etc. The opposite of the promise in Lev. xxvi. 8, etc.

as a beacon. Heb., “a pine tree”; hence “a beacon,” “a signal-post,” or “a mast”: solitary, a mere remnant and memorial.

18 therefore will the Lord wait. That is, Since God has determined to chastise you for good, He will “wait” (as one who expects a beneficial result) “that He may be gracious to you.” Thus He will display His “mercy” as well as His “judgement,” or justice.

20. Yet shall not thy teachers be removed. Though God might still afflict them outwardly, He would not deprive them of their religious privileges; but whenever they attempted to go astray, He would follow them with admonitions to return (21).

22. Ye shall defile. That is, You shall regard them as polluted and unclean. The images of idols were usually made of wood or clay “covered” or plated with gold or silver. So for “ornament” the R.V. has “plating.”

24 ear. Or, “plough”: see note on Gen. xlv. 6. clean. Or, “savoury,” R.V. Heb., “salted.” The word rendered “provender,” means literally mixed food: various kinds of grain, duly seasoned, and “winnowed” from all useless or injurious elements.

25. Rivers [and] streams of waters. Plentiful irrigation, one of the blessings of peace in a country at rest.

28. To sift the nations with the sieve of vanity. That is, so as to sift them to nothing. The three metaphors of a flood (see viii. 8), a sieve, and a bridle to restrain, describe God’s dealings with the nations.

29 the night when a holy solemnity is kept. The Passover, which was celebrated at night (see Exod. xii. 42; Deut. xvi. 1-6), and at which hymns were sung: see Matt. xxvi. 30, and note on Psa. cxiii. 1.

when one goeth with a pipe. Like the companies who came up with music of flutes to the annual festivals at Jerusalem.

the mighty One of Israel. Lit., as R.V., “the Rock of Israel.”

31. For through the voice of the Lord, etc. Or, “He (the Eternal) shall smite [him] with a rod. And every stroke of the ordained rod, which Jehovah will lay upon him, shall be with tabrets and harps”; i.e., with rejoicings on the part of those whom Assyria had oppressed (32).

33. Tophel. Rather, as R.V., “a Topheth”: see note on 2 Kings xxiii. 10.

“for the king.” Rather, “for Moloch,” as for a sacrifice to him. The force and pride of Assyria shall be utterly consumed.