who set out to go down into Egypt, and have not asked my advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore the strength of Pharaoh will be your shame, and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. For their princes are at Zoan, and their ambassadors have come to Hanes. They shall all be ashamed because of a people that can’t profit them, that are not a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.”
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Isaiah 30:2-5 sits inside this longer paragraph.
“Woe to the rebellious children”, says Yahweh, “who take counsel, but not from me; and who make an alliance, but not with my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin, who set out to go down into Egypt, and have not asked my advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore the strength of Pharaoh will be your shame, and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. For their princes are at Zoan, and their ambassadors have come to Hanes. They shall all be ashamed because of a people that can’t profit them, that are not a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.”
Parallel Translations
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who set out to go down into Egypt, and have not asked my advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt!
Therefore the strength of Pharaoh will be your shame, and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
For their princes are at Zoan, and their ambassadors have come to Hanes.
They shall all be ashamed because of a people that can’t profit them, that are not a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.”
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That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.
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.
Show all 3 translations
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That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at My mouth; to take refuge in the stronghold of Pharaoh, and to take shelter in the shadow of Egypt!
Therefore shall the stronghold of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your confusion.
For his princes are at Zoan, and his ambassadors are come to Hanes.
They shall all be ashamed of a people that cannot profit them, that are not a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
Cross-references (41)
- Isaiah 36:6 (vv2–3) Behold, you trust in the staff of this bruised reed, even in Egypt, which if a man leans on it, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So…
- Isaiah 20:5 (v3) They will be dismayed and confounded, because of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
- Isaiah 19:11 (v4) The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish. The counsel of the wisest counselors of Pharaoh has become stupid. How do you say to Pharaoh, “I…
- Jeremiah 2:36 (v5) Why do you go about so much to change your ways? You will be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were ashamed of Assyria.
- Numbers 27:21 (v2) He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Yahweh. At his word they shall go…
Show all 36 cross-references
- Isaiah 30:7 (v5) For Egypt helps in vain, and to no purpose; therefore I have called her Rahab who sits still.
- Jeremiah 17:5-6 (v3) Yahweh says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, relies on strength of flesh, and whose heart departs from Yahweh. For he will be like a…
- Romans 10:11 (v3) For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.”
- Jeremiah 43:7 (vv2, 4) and they came into the land of Egypt; for they didn’t obey Yahweh’s voice: and they came to Tahpanhes.
- Deuteronomy 28:68 (v2) Yahweh will bring you into Egypt again with ships, by the way of which I told to you that you would never see it again. There you will…
- Isaiah 57:9 (v4) You went to the king with oil, increased your perfumes, sent your ambassadors far off, and degraded yourself even to Sheol.
- Jeremiah 42:20 (v2) For you have dealt deceitfully against your own souls; for you sent me to Yahweh your God, saying, ‘Pray for us to Yahweh our God; and…
- Lamentations 4:20 (v2) The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Yahweh, was taken in their pits; of whom we said, under his shadow we will live among the…
- Ezekiel 29:6-7 (v2) “ ‘ “All the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. When they took…
- Romans 5:5 (v3) and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
- 2 Kings 17:4 (vv2, 4) The king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of…
- Isaiah 20:5-6 (vv2, 5) They will be dismayed and confounded, because of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory. The inhabitants of this coast land…
- Isaiah 31:1-3 (vv2, 5) Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they…
- Numbers 13:22 (v4) They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built…
- Joshua 9:14 (v2) The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from Yahweh’s mouth.
- Judges 9:15 (v2) “The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come…
- 1 Kings 22:7 (v2) But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may inquire of him?”
- Isaiah 16:3 (v2) Give counsel! Execute justice! Make your shade like the night in the middle of the noonday! Hide the outcasts! Don’t betray the fugitive!
- Isaiah 18:1 (v2) Ah, the land of the rustling of wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia;
- Isaiah 30:5-7 (v3) They shall all be ashamed because of a people that can’t profit them, that are not a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.”…
- Isaiah 30:16 (v5) but you said, “No, for we will flee on horses;” therefore you will flee; and, “We will ride on the swift;” therefore those who pursue you…
- Isaiah 36:9 (v2) How then can you turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put your trust on Egypt for chariots and for…
- Isaiah 45:16-17 (v3) They will be disappointed, yes, confounded, all of them. Those who are makers of idols will go into confusion together. Israel will be…
- Jeremiah 21:2 (v2) “Please inquire of Yahweh for us; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against us. Perhaps Yahweh will deal with us according to…
- Jeremiah 37:5 (v2) Pharaoh’s army had come out of Egypt; and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news of them, they broke up from Jerusalem.
- Jeremiah 37:5-10 (v3) Pharaoh’s army had come out of Egypt; and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news of them, they broke up from Jerusalem.…
- Jeremiah 42:2 (v2) and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Please let our supplication be presented before you, and pray for us to Yahweh your God, even for all…
- Ezekiel 30:14 (v4) I will make Pathros desolate, and will set a fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments on No.
- Ezekiel 30:18 (v4) At Tehaphnehes also the day will withdraw itself, when I break the yokes of Egypt, there. The pride of her power will cease in her. As for…
- Hosea 7:11-12 (v4) “Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove, without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria. When they go, I will spread my net…
- Hosea 7:16 (v4) They return, but not to the Most High. They are like a faulty bow. Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This…
36 distinct cross-references across this passage (41 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (16 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v4 The chief of Israel went into Egypt in embassy…
The chief of Israel went into Egypt in embassy to seek help, and abode at these cities.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Isa 30:2 That walk to go down into Egypt,…
Isa 30:2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
Ver. 2. That walk to go down into Egypt.] This they were flatly forbidden to do. But state policy doth sometimes carry it against express Scripture, to the formalising and enervating of the power of truth, till at length they have left us a heartless and sapless religion, as one well observeth. This is no thriving course certainly; here we have a dreadful woe hanged at the heels of it. The Grecian Churches first called in the Turks to their help, who distressed them, and then, through fear of the Turks, A.D. 1438, sent and subjected themselves to the Bishop of Rome, that they might have the help of the Latin Churches; but shortly after they were destroyed, their empire subdued, &c., teaching all others by their example not to trust to carnal combinations, not to seek the association of others in a sinful way.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv2–5 That walk to go down into Egypt; that send…
That walk to go down into Egypt; that send ambassadors to Egypt for succour, as we read, Isa 30:4, which the Jews were forward to do upon all occasions, and did now upon the invasion of the king of Assyria, as is evident from Isa 20:5,6, and did the like against the king of Babylon, Jer 37:7; Eze 17:15.
Have not asked at my mouth; either by the priests or prophets, as they were to do in weighty cases; of which see Num 27:21; Jos 9:14; 1Sa 23:9,10; 1Ki 22:7; Jer 21:2; 42:2,20; or by studying my word, which plainly directs them to another course, and forbids them this practice.
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In the shadow; in their power (as it is in the foregoing clause) and protection, which is oft signified by the shadow, as Jdg 9:15; Psa 17:8; 91:1,4.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–5 That walk to go down into Egypt,.... That walk…
That walk to go down into Egypt,.... That walk out of their own land to go thither; who sent messengers thither to form an alliance, and get help and assistance, or went in person, to secure themselves from present danger. Jarchi refers this to the times of Hoshea, the son of Elah, king of Israel, who sent messengers to So, king of Egypt, Kg2 17:4. Jerom to the times of Jeremiah, to the history in his prophecy, Jer 41:17 and others to Zedekiah. Kimchi thinks it respects the time of Ahaz, though there is no account, either in the books of Kings or Chronicles, of sending then to Egypt for help; or else to the times of Hezekiah himself; which latter is right, as appears from the insults of Rabshakeh, when Sennacherib's army was before Jerusalem, Isa 36:6,
and have not asked at my mouth: or as the Targum,
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"the words of my prophets they have not asked;''
they did not inquire of the prophets of the Lord, whether they should go down or not:
to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh; by making an alliance with him, and receiving men and horses from him, to assist them against the Assyrians; this Pharaoh was he whom the Scriptures call So, Kg2 17:4 and by other writers, Sevechus and Sethon:
and to trust in the shadow of Egypt; the protection that would afford them, in which they placed their confidence, and thought themselves safe from their other enemy, by having so powerful an ally; but this was but a shadow, as are whatsoever men trust in short of the Lord himself, be they riches or righteousness, or any creature or creature enjoyment.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv2, 4, 5 Asked - Either by the priests or prophets.
Asked - Either by the priests or prophets.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv4–5 Verse 4. Hanes] Six MSS. of Kennicott's, and perhaps…
Verse 4. Hanes] Six MSS. of Kennicott's, and perhaps six others, with four of De Rossi's, read חנם chinnam, in vain, for הנס Hanes; and so also the Septuagint, who read likewise יגעו yageu, labored, for יגיעו yaggiu, arrived at.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv2–5 That walk to go down to Egypt - Hebrew,…
That walk to go down to Egypt - Hebrew, ‘Going in the descent to Egypt.’ That is, they do it by their ambassadors Isa 30:4. The journey to Egypt from Palestine is always represented as going down Gen 12:10; Gen 42:3; Gen 43:15; Num 20:15; Deu 10:22.
To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh - To form an alliance with Pharaoh, that thus they might be able to repel the threatened invasion. Pharaoh was the general name of the kings of Egypt, in the same manner as Caesar was the common name of the emperors of Rome.
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To trust in the shadow of Egypt - A ‘shadow’ (צל tsêl) is an emblem of protection and defense, as a shade is a protection from the burning rays of the sun (see the note at Isa 4:6).
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv2–4 Down, with presents, ver. 6., and 4 Kings xviii.…
Down, with presents, ver. 6., and 4 Kings xviii. 20.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2–5 walk--are now setting out, namely, their ambassadors (Isa 30:4).
walk--are now setting out, namely, their ambassadors (Isa 30:4).
Egypt--See on Isa 19:1; Isa 20:1.
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Pharaoh--the generic name of the kings of Egypt, as Cæsar was at Rome. The word in Egyptian means "king" [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 8.6,2]. Phra, "the sun," was the hieroglyphic symbol and title of the king.
shadow--image from shelter against heat: protection (Psa 121:5-6).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv2, 5 2-4. That walk to go down into Egypt —…
2-4. That walk to go down into Egypt — “Going in the descent of Egypt,” by their ambassadors. Trusting in the shadow of Egypt — in her protection rather than in the protection of Jehovah — is most disgraceful. Their trust in Pharaoh’s protection shall, however, prove to be to them a shame, a confusion. The folly has already gone so far that ambassadors are already at Zoan, (the present Tsan,) the royal seat in lower northeastern Egypt, and at Hanes, (a name perhaps contracted from Tahpanhes, so Grotius thinks,) another royal seat in middle Egypt, to both of which it may be assumed applications were made.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–4 2. and have not asked at my mouth] “have…
2. and have not asked at my mouth] “have not consulted my prophet” (for the expression cf. Jos_9:14; Gen_24:57).
to strengthen themselves … Egypt] Rather: to take refuge in the refuge of Pharaoh, and to hide in the shadow of Egypt.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv2, 4, 5 (2) To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh.—Literally,…
(2) To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh.—Literally, the fortress of Pharaoh, used as the symbol of his kingdom: This, then, was the course into which even Hezekiah had been led or driven, and it had been done without consulting Isaiah as the recognised prophet of Jehovah. For the “shadow of Egypt” see Note on Isa_18:1.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv2–5 That walk; or, are on their way. (comp. Isa_31:1)…
That walk; or, are on their way. (comp. Isa_31:1) Either the Jewish ambassadors have already started, or the anticipatory vision of the prophet sees them as if starting. In the history (2Ki_18:13-37 Isa_36:1-22) it is not expressly said that Hezekiah made application to Egypt for aid; but the reproaches of Rabshakeh (2Ki_18:21, 2Ki_18:24) would be pointless if he had not done so. Have not asked at my mouth. As they ought to have done. (see Num_27:21 Jud_1:1 20:18 1Sa_23:2 1Ki_22:7, etc.) To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh. It is very uncertain who is the "Pharaoh" here intended. The supreme power over Egypt was probably, at the time, in the hands of Tirkakah; (2Ki_19:9) but Lower Egypt seems to have been ruled by various princes, the chief of whom was Shabatok, and any one of these may have been regarded by Isaiah as a "Pharaoh." To trust in the shadow of Egypt. Trust in the "shadow of God" was an expression very familiar to the Jews. (see Psa_17:8 Psa_36:7 Psa_63:7 Psa_91:1 Isa_25:4 Isa_32:2) To "trust in the shadow of Egypt" was to put Egypt in the place of God.
Trusting others than Jehovah.
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Relying upon human aid, involving a distrust of the Divine promises, was a crying sin of the ancient Church, not at one time only, but throughout her history." It is quite as truly the crying sin of the modern Church, and of the Christian individual. In every time of pressure and need we first fly to some form of human help. It is either the expression of "first simplicity," or else of "cultured sanctity," to act on the words, "Our help is in the Lord our God.
I THE DELUSIONS ON WHICH OUR TRUSTING OTHERS REST. Some of these take shape, and we can recognize them. Others lie down in men"s souls, doing their mischievous work, but never getting put into propositions, which can be fairly dealt with. They are such as the following:
1. God is far away, and his help is not anything really practical.
2. God does not heed; he is so largely concerned in the great affairs of the universe that it is only an imagination that he can take interest in an individual life.
3. God is so long about his work; and impatient man cannot bear waiting if he is in any trouble, he wants it dealt with at once. Compare the King of Israel, in the famine-time, saying pettishly to Elisha, "What should I wait for the Lord any longer?
4. God makes such hard terms. He always wants repentance and submission, and letting our own hands hang down; he crushes human energy and enterprise. The very statement of these cherished delusions of men suggests their correctives. Surely to all who cherish them the great Father is an unknown God.
II THE FORMS WHICH OUR TRUSTING OTHERS MAY TAKE. The Jewish nation leaned on the help of another nation in her extremity. We, in our individual life and experience, are in danger of some form of sacerdotalism; we pin our faith to some sect-leader, some scientific teacher, some admired statesman, some popular preacher, some assertive priest. Thousands of people find individual responsibility in religion too heavy a burden for them to bear, and do not grasp the truth that God is with them in the bearing, and that it is their dignity to stand under the yoke only with God. Sacerdotalism is just the "man-trust" which prophets denounce. In public life and association the tendency is to lean on, and worship material strength. We seek the help of riches for the carrying out of all our religions schemes. We fly to men rather than to God.
III HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE ALIKE PROVE THE PRACTICAL FOLLY, AS WELL AS THE INGRATITUDE AND REBELLIOUSNESS, OF THUS FORSAKING GOD. Our trusts prove, like Egypt, only shebheth, inactive, do-nothings (see ver. 7). Egypt promised much, but failed utterly in the day of trial. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v3 trust (See Scofield "Psa 2:12").
trust (See Scofield "Psa 2:12").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v3 General Information:
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking to the people of Judah.
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Therefore Pharaoh's protection will be your shame, and the refuge in Egypt's shade, your humiliation
This can be reworded so that the abstract nouns "protection," "shame," and "humiliation" are expressed as adjectives or verbs. AT: "Therefore you will be ashamed because you relied on Pharaoh to protect you; you will be humiliated because you relied on the Egyptians to keep you safe" (See: Abstract Nouns)
the refuge in Egypt's shade
Egypt's protection from enemy armies is spoken of as if it were a shadow that protects someone from the burning heat of the sun. (See: Metaphor)
their princes
Here "princes" mean an official or ambassador, not necessarily sons of the king.
their ... They ... them
These words refer to the people of Judah.
Zoan ... Hanes
These were cities in the northern part of Egypt. (See: How to Translate Names)
have come to Hanes
Here "come" can be stated as "gone." (See: Go and Come)
because of a people
"because of the people of Egypt"
translationWords
Pharaoh
shame
refuge
Egypt
prince
messenger
people group
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 30:4 Zoan: See 19:11. The location of Hanes is…
30:4 Zoan: See 19:11. The location of Hanes is uncertain.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.