Isaiah 30:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For though his officials are at Zoan and his envoys reach Hanes,

NIV: Though they have officials in Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes,

NASB: For their officials are at Zoan And their ambassadors arrive at Hanes.

CSB: For though his princes are at Zoan and his messengers reach as far as Hanes,

NLT: For though his power extends to Zoan and his officials have arrived in Hanes,

KJV: For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.

NKJV: For his princes were at Zoan, And his ambassadors came to Hanes.

Isaiah 30:1–7 opens with God's official complaint against the people of Judah. He compares them to obstinate toddlers for making an alliance with Egypt without seeking His counsel. This is both sinful and foolish: Egypt will not help to protect Judah from the Assyrians. Judah's representatives will face a dangerous trip to take payments to Egypt across the Negev, but it will all be for nothing. Egypt's help will be worthless. The Lord depicts Egypt as the great and powerful beast Rahab, but says this creature is unmoving and unhelpful.

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 5/25/2026 9:55:28 PM