Isaiah 30:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, "Because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them,

NIV: Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit,

NASB: Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says: 'Since you have rejected this word And have put your trust in oppression and crookedness, and have relied on them,

CSB: Therefore the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you have rejected this message and have trusted in oppression and deceit, and have depended on them,

NLT: This is the reply of the Holy One of Israel: 'Because you despise what I tell you and trust instead in oppression and lies,

KJV: Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

NKJV: Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: “Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them,

Isaiah 30:8–17 begins with the Lord's command that Isaiah record this prophecy for future generations. Judah's stubborn leaders tell the prophets not to deliver the Lord's messages. They only hear what they want to hear. Their refusal to listen will result in sudden consequences. If they were to repent and trust Him, the Lord would save them. Instead, the people trust in earthly resources like horses. So, they will be chased and trapped by their enemy.

The Lord describes Judah's people as stubborn children. They think Egypt will protect them from Assyria, instead of trusting Him. But Egypt will be of no help. Judah's leaders ignore God. They demand that prophets only tell them what they want to hear. Those leaders will be surprised by the sudden consequences of faithlessness. The Lord waits for them to turn back to Him and cry for help. When they do, He will provide greatly for them after destroying the Assyrians who are threatening them. The people will sing and celebrate as the Assyrians fall.

Isaiah has been transmitting God's prophecies about Israel, Judah, and other nations. This chapter scolds the southern kingdom of Judah for stubbornness and self-reliance. They make foolish choices instead of relying on the Lord. Egypt will not protect Judah from the Assyrians. But God will take vengeance on the enemy nation one day. Chapter 31 continues to rebuke those who look to human armies instead of God.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 1/2/2026 3:33:21 AM