Isaiah 30:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and its breaking is like that of a potter 's vessel that is smashed so ruthlessly that among its fragments not a shard is found with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern."

NIV: It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern."

NASB: Whose collapse is like the smashing of a potter’s jar, So ruthlessly shattered That a shard will not be found among its pieces To take fire from a hearth Or to scoop water from a cistern.'

CSB: Its collapse will be like the shattering of a potter’s jar, crushed to pieces, so that not even a fragment of pottery will be found among its shattered remains— no fragment large enough to take fire from a hearth or scoop water from a cistern."

NLT: You will be smashed like a piece of pottery — shattered so completely that there won’t be a piece big enough to carry coals from a fireplace or a little water from the well.'

KJV: And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.

NKJV: And He shall break it like the breaking of the potter’s vessel, Which is broken in pieces; He shall not spare. So there shall not be found among its fragments A shard to take fire from the hearth, Or to take water from the cistern.”

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).