30:1 Oh rebellious children Recalls the imagery of 1:2–4, where the people were compared to children and stubborn farm animals.

30:2 they do not ask of my mouth In the ancient Near East, it was customary to seek guidance of a deity in political matters of this magnitude. The Israelites’ failure to ask for Yahweh’s guidance reflects a dangerous level of pride and self-sufficiency (see 29:15).

30:3 the protection of Pharaoh Egypt gave the appearance of being able to protect others, but they had little influence outside their own borders.

30:4 Zoan See note on 19:11.

Hanes Probably a city in the south central Nile delta region, Egypt’s main power center. References to Zoan and Hanes are likely meant to encompass the central power and influence of Egypt at this time.

30:6 An oracle of the animals of the Negev Reminiscent of the oracles against the nations in 13:1–27:13. The Negev was a desert region south of Palestine bordering on Egyptian territory in the Sinai Peninsula.

a land of trouble and distress Depicts the harshness of the desert journey.

flying serpent See Deut 8:15 for the characterization of the wilderness as the land of such serpents. Imagery of a flying serpent was known from Egyptian art (see note on Isa 6:2).

a people that cannot profit Though ambassadors from Judah were bringing rich gifts to bribe Egypt into supporting them, they would not profit from the investment.

30:7 Rahab A mythological beast (like the serpent Leviathan) whose defeat brought order to the universe. Rahab may be a poetic name for Egypt in Psa 87:4. The image portrays a former formidable enemy that now sits powerless.

30:8 write it on a tablet with them Isaiah records the message for posterity, just as in 8:16–18. The people may be unwilling to listen at the present time, but it will be preserved for the time when they are ready to repent (see Hab 2:2).

The Formation of the Old Testament

30:9 deceitful children See Isa 1:2–4.

30:10 speak smooth things to us Smooth or pleasant things are equated with illusions and contrasted with what is right. The people only want to hear of blessing and prosperity—fantasy instead of reality. In 1 Kgs 22, King Ahab prefers the favorable counsel of false prophets and initially avoids inquiring of the prophet Micaiah because he never gave him good news (1 Kgs 22:18).

see illusions The people prefer false prophets. The true prophets of Yahweh are consistently at odds with others falsely claiming to speak on Yahweh’s behalf.

30:11 the holy one of Israel This title emphasizes God’s holiness. See note on Isa 1:4.

30:13 like a breach about to fall, bulging out on a high wall Reliance on Egypt is metaphorically compared to a collapsing wall. It once looked strong and unassailable, but now is about to fall and cannot offer protection.

30:14 no potsherd is found Broken pottery could be reused—sometimes as writing material. This metaphor indicates nothing useful will be gained from an alliance with Egypt.

30:15 In returning and rest you shall be saved Rather than relying on Egypt, the Israelites need to repent and rely on Yahweh—that was all He required for their rescue. But they rejected this route.

30:16 we will flee on horses Cavalry and chariots were likely a part of any military assistance sent by Egypt (see 31:1–3).

30:17 One thousand Alludes to Deut 32:30, where a thousand are chased away by one because Yahweh had given them over for judgment.

like a signal on a hill A lonely image of a very small remnant. The signal metaphor usually has a positive connotation of a preserved remnant (see Isa 11:10–11; 49:22).

30:18 Yahweh waits to be gracious to you God’s nature is to wait for the right time to redeem (see 1:27).

blessed are all those who wait for him Isaiah declares his intent to wait on Yahweh in 8:17.

30:19 in Zion A name for Jerusalem. See note on 1:8.

30:20 the bread of distress Suffering serves a purpose: it brings the people to a point where they cry out to God and repent.

30:22 you will defile the plating of your silver idols Full repentance required a clean break from idolatry. Israelite worship had become a blend of Yahweh worship and worship of Canaanite, Ammonite, and Moabite deities (see 1 Kgs 11:1–8; 2 Kgs 23:4–14). Isaiah 2:20 also depicts people throwing away their idols.

30:25 every high mountain and elevated hill After Israel abandons its idols, Yahweh restores the abundance and fertility of the land. His anger against every lofty mountain and high hill has also subsided (see 2:14).

30:26 he heals the wound of his blow Compare 1:5–6. Once the people repent, Yahweh will heal the wounds He caused.

30:27 his tongue is like a devouring fire Yahweh comes with typical divine theophanic imagery (see 29:6 and note). This time, He comes not to besiege and punish Judah, but to rescue her from Assyria.

Theophany in the Old Testament

30:28 his breath The same Hebrew word for “breath,” ruach, can refer to “wind” or “spirit.” Lips, tongue, and breath are Yahweh’s offensive weapons. Compare 11:4 where the Messiah will destroy the wicked with His breath.

an overflowing river; it reaches up to the neck Before, Assyria came down like a flood against Israel, leaving Judah up to the neck in water (8:7–8). Now the image is reversed: Yahweh is coming to punish Assyria.

a bridle that leads astray Similar imagery of God leading Assyria around like an animal with hook, bit, or bridle is found in 37:29.

the jawbones of the peoples The foreign nations are depicted as domesticated beasts that God can direct however He pleases.

30:29 the mountain of Yahweh Refers to Mount Zion as God’s dwelling place. See note on 2:2.

the rock of Israel God is often metaphorically described as a rock in the Bible. See note on 26:4.

30:30 with a cloudburst and a rainstorm and stones of hail Poetic depictions of theophany made use of storm and fire imagery (see 29:6; Psa 18:13).

30:31 he strikes with the rod A reversal of Isa 10:5, where Assyria was the rod. Now, they are struck by it.

30:33 Topheth This Hebrew term, tophteh, is a variation on Topheth, a name for a religious site near Jerusalem where child sacrifice was performed (2 Kgs 23:10; Jer 7:31–32).