Isaiah 30:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace."

NIV: everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them, who bring neither help nor advantage, but only shame and disgrace."

NASB: Everyone will be ashamed because of a people who do not benefit them, Who are not a help or benefit, but a source of shame and also disgrace.'

CSB: everyone will be ashamed because of a people who can’t help. They are of no benefit, they are no help; they are good for nothing but shame and disgrace.

NLT: all who trust in him will be ashamed. He will not help you. Instead, he will disgrace you.'

KJV: They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.

NKJV: They were all ashamed of a people who could not benefit them, Or be help or benefit, But a shame and also a reproach.”

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 1/2/2026 8:25:55 AM