1Běda synům buřičům! Jahvův výrok. Dělají plány, jež nepocházejí ode mne, osnují smlouvy, které nevnuká můj duch, a kupí hřích na hřích. 2Aniž se poradili se mnou, odcházejí a jdou dolů do Egypta, aby se dali pod ochranu faraona a uchýlili se do egyptského stínu. 3Ale faraonova ochrana se vám obrátí v hanbu, útulek egyptského stínu ve vaše zahanbení. 4Vždyť jeho knížata byla v Soanu a jeho poslové došli do Chanesu. 5Všichni jsou zklamáni lidem, jenž nedokáže pomoci, jenž nepřináší podporu ani prospěch, ale zklamání a zahanbení. 6Výrok o zvířatech z Negebu. Do země úzkosti a tísně, lvice a řvoucího lva, zmije a létajícího draka, přinášejí na hřbetech oslů svá bohatství, na hrbech velbloudů své poklady, k lidu, jenž nedokáže pomoci: 7podpora od Egypta je marnost a nicota; proto jsem mu dal toto jméno: Padlá Rahab. 8Nyní jdi, napiš to na tabulku, vyryj to na listinu, aby to bylo pro budoucí den, provždy a na věky. 9Neboť je to vzbouřený lid prolhaných synů, synů, kteří odmítají poslouchat Jahvův Zákon, 10kteří řekli vidoucím: „Neuvidíte,“ a prorokům: „Nic jasného pro nás nepostřehnete. Říkejte nám lichotivé věci, mějte klamné vidiny. 11Sejděte z cesty, odchylte se ze stezky, odstraňte před námi Izraelova Svatého.“ 12Proto mluví Izraelův Svatý takto: Protože jste odvrhli toto slovo a spolehli jste se na podvod a nepoctivost a opřeli se o ně, 13proto pro vás bude toto provinění jako rozestupující se trhlina, výstupek nahoře na hradbách, který se náhle v okamžiku zhroutí. 14On ho rozbije, jako se rozbíjí hrnčířův džbán nelítostně roztříštěný na kusy, a v jeho úlomcích se nenajde střepina na shrábnutí ohně v krbu nebo na načerpání vody z nádrže. 15Neboť takto mluví Pán Jahve, Izraelův Svatý: V obrácení a klidu bývala vaše záchrana, v pohodě a důvěře bývala vaše síla, vy jste však nechtěli! 16Řekli jste: „Ne, vždyť uprchneme na koni!“ Nuže! Ano, budete prchat. A také: „Budeme mít rychlá jezdecká zvířata!“ Nuže! Vaši pronásledovatelé budou rychlí. 17Tisíce se budou chvět před hrozbou jediného, před hrozbou pěti uprchnete, až z vás zbude cosi jako žerď na vrcholku hory, jako znamení na kopci. 18Proto Jahve čeká na hodinu vašeho omilostnění, proto povstane, aby se nad vámi slitoval, neboť Jahve je Bůh spravedlivý; blahoslavení všichni, kdo v něho doufají. 19Ano, sionský lide, jenž bydlíš v Jeruzalémě, nebudeš už muset plakat, neboť on tě omilostní, budeš-li volat, jakmile tě uslyší, odpoví ti. 20Pán vám dá chléb úzkosti a přesně odměřenou vodu, ten, jenž tě poučuje, se už nebude ukrývat a tvé oči uvidí toho, jenž tě poučuje. 21Tvé uši zaslechnou slovo pronesené za tebou: „Toto je cesta, jděte po ní, ať jdete napravo či nalevo.“ 22Za nečisté budeš pokládat obklady svých stříbrných model i povlaky svých zlatých model, vyhodíš je jako odpornou věc: „Pryč odtud,“ řekneš. 23A on dá déšť pro semeno, jež zaseješ do země, a chléb, plod půdy, bude bohatý a výživný. Tvůj dobytek se v ten den bude pást na širých pastvinách. 24Volové a osli, kteří obdělávají půdu, budou jako píci žrát divoký šťovík, který se rozhazuje lopatou a vidlemi. 25Na každé vysoké hoře a na každém vyvýšeném pahorku budou bystřiny a vodní toky v den velkého krveprolití, až se budou hroutit pevnosti. 26Tehdy bude světlo měsíce jako světlo slunce a světlo slunce bude sedmkrát silnější - jako světlo sedmi dní, v den, kdy Jahve obváže zranění svého lidu a vyhojí stopu po utržených ranách. 27Hle, Jahvovo jméno přichází zdaleka, planoucí je jeho hněv, tíživá jeho hrozba. Jeho rty přetékají rozlícením, jeho jazyk je jako stravující oheň. 28Jeho dech je jako přetékající bystřina, jež sahá až ke krku, aby ničivým záškubem otřásl národy, aby vložil udidlo poblouznění do čelistí národů. 29Zpěv bude na vašich rtech jako za sváteční noci a radost bude ve vašich srdcích, jako když se kráčí za zvuku flétny a míří se k hoře Jahva, skály Izraele. 30Jahve dá zaznít vznešenosti svého hlasu, dá pocítit tíhu své paže ve vzplanutí svého hněvu doprovázeného sžírajícím ohněm, bleskem, lijáky a krupobitím. 31Vždyť Jahvovým hlasem bude Ašur vyděšen, on jej zasáhne svou holí; 32pokaždé, když přejde, bude to metla trestu, jejž na něho uvalí Jahve za zvuku bubínků a lyr a v bojích, jež svede s rukou pozdviženou proti němu. 33Vždyť je už dlouho připraven Tofet - bude také pro krále - má hlubokou a širokou hranici, je na ní hojnost ohně i dřeva; Jahvův dech jako proud síry ji zapálí.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 THE THIRTIETH THROUGH THIRTY-SECOND CHAPTERS REFER PROBABLY TO THE SUMMER OF 714 B.C., AS THE TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER TO THE PASSOVER OF THAT YEAR. (Isa. 30:1-32)
take counsel--rather, as
Isa 30:4,
Isa 30:6 imply, "execute counsels."
cover . . . covering--that is, wrap themselves in reliances disloyal towards Jehovah. "Cover" thus answers to "seek to hide deeply their counsel from the Lord" (
Isa 29:15). But the Hebrew is literally, "who pour out libations"; as it was by these that leagues were made (
Exod 24:8;
Zech 9:11), translate, "who make a league."
not of--not suggested by My Spirit" (
Num 27:21;
Josh 9:14).
that they may add--The consequence is here spoken of as their intention, so reckless were they of sinning: one sin entails the commission of another (
Deut 29:19).
2 walk--are now setting out, namely, their ambassadors (
Isa 30:4).
Egypt--See on
Isa 19:1;
Isa 20:1.
Pharaoh--the generic name of the kings of Egypt, as Cćsar 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 (
Ps 121:5-
Ps 121:6).
3 shame--disappointment. Egypt, weakened by its internal dissensions, can give no solid help.
4 his--Judah's (compare
Isa 9:21).
at Zoan--are already arrived there on their errand to Pharaoh (see
Isa 19:11).
came to Hanes--are come there. West of the Nile, in central Egypt: Egyptian Hnes; the Greek Heracleopolis: perhaps the Anysis of HERODOTUS (2.137); according to GROTIUS, Tahpanhes contracted (
Jer 43:7-
Jer 43:9); the seat of a reigning prince at the time, as was Zoan, hence the Jewish ambassadors go to both.
5 (
Jer 2:36.)
6 burden--the prophecy as to, &c. [MAURER]; so the Septuagint, the fresh inscription here marks emphatically the prediction that follows. Or, rather, Isaiah sees in vision, the ambassador's beasts burdened with rich presents travelling southwards (namely, to Egypt,
Dan 11:5-
Dan 11:6), and exclaims, Oh, the burden of treasure on the beasts! &c. (
Hos 8:9;
Hos 12:1).
land of trouble--the desert between Palestine and Egypt, destitute of water and abounding in dangerous animals (
Deut 8:15;
Jer 2:6).
flying serpent-- (
Isa 14:29), a species which springs like a dart from trees, on its prey.
will carry--rather, present, "carry," namely, as presents to Egypt (
1Kgs 15:19).
young asses--rather, "full-grown asses" [MAURER].
7 "Egypt is vanity, and to no purpose will they help" [G. V. SMITH].
strength--Hebrew, Rabah, a designation for Egypt (
Isa 51:9;
Ps 87:4), implying her haughty fierceness; translate, "Therefore I call her Arrogance that sitteth still." She who boasted of the help she would give, when it came to the test, sat still (
Isa 36:6). English Version agrees with
Isa 30:15;
Isa 7:4.
8 table--a tablet (
Hab 2:2), which should be set in public, containing the prophecy in a briefer form, to be read by all.
a book--namely, a parchment roll, containing the prophecy in full, for the use of distant posterity. Its truth will be seen hereafter when the event has come to pass. See on
Isa 8:1;
Isa 8:16.
for ever and ever--rather read, "For a testimony for ever" [Chaldee, JEROME, LOWTH]: "testimony is often joined to the notion of perpetuity (
Deut 31:19,
Deut 31:21,
Deut 31:26).
9 lying--unfaithful to Jehovah, whose covenant they had taken on them as His adopted children (
Isa 59:13;
Pro 30:9).
10 (
Mic 2:6,
Mic 2:11;
Mic 3:5).
See not--as you now do, foretelling misfortune.
Prophesy not . . . right things--Not that they avowedly requested this, but their conduct virtually expressed it. No man, professedly, wished to be deceived; but many seek a kind of teaching which is deceit; and which, if they would examine, they might know to be such (
1Kgs 22:13). The Jews desired success to be foretold as the issue of their league with Egypt, though ill had been announced by God's prophet as the result; this constituted the "deceits."
11 Depart from the true "way" (so in
Acts 19:9,
Acts 19:23) of religion.
cause . . . to cease--Let us hear no more of His name. God's holiness is what troubles sinners most.
12 Holy One--Isaiah so little yields to their wicked prejudices that he repeats the very name and truth which they disliked.
this word--Isaiah's exhortation to reliance on Jehovah.
oppression--whereby they levied the treasures to be sent to conciliate Egypt (
Isa 30:6).
perverseness--in relying on Egypt, rather than on Jehovah.
13 Image from a curve swelling out in a wall (
Ps 62:3); when the former gives way, it causes the downfall of the whole wall; so their policy as to Egypt.
14 he--the enemy; or rather, God (
Ps 2:9;
Jer 19:11).
It--the Jewish state.
potter's vessel--earthen and fragile.
sherd--a fragment of the vessel large enough to take up a live coal, &c.
pit--cistern or pool. The swell of the wall is at first imperceptible and gradual, but at last it comes to the crisis; so the decay of the Jewish state.
15 returning and rest--turning back from your embassy to Egypt, and ceasing from warlike preparations.
quietness--answering to "wait for Him (God)" (
Isa 30:18).
16 flee--not as fugitives, but we will speed our course; namely, against the Assyrians, by the help of cavalry supplied by Egypt (
Isa 31:1). This was expressly against the Mosaic law (
Deut 17:16; see on
Isa 2:7;
Hos 14:3).
shall . . . flee--literally, "before your enemies"; their sin and its punishment correspond.
17 One thousand--A thousand at once, or, "As one man" [MAURER].
rebuke--the battle cry.
shall ye--at the rebuke of five shall ye, namely, all (in contrast to the "one thousand") flee so utterly that even two shall not be left together, but each one shall be as solitary "as a signal staff" [G. V. SMITH], or "a banner on a hill" (
Isa 5:26;
Isa 11:12). The signal staff was erected to rally a nation in war. The remnant of Jews left would be beacons to warn all men of the justice of God, and the truth of His threatenings. GESENIUS (from
Lev 26:8;
Deut 32:30) arbitrarily inserts "ten thousand." "At the rebuke of five shall ten thousand of you flee."
18 therefore--on account of your wicked perverseness (
Isa 30:1-
Isa 30:2,
Isa 30:9,
Isa 30:15-
Isa 30:16), Jehovah will delay to be gracious [HORSLEY]. Rather, wait or delay in punishing, to give you time for repentance (
Isa 30:13-
Isa 30:14,
Isa 30:17) [MAURER]. Or, "Yet therefore" (namely, because of the distress spoken of in the previous verses; that distress will lead the Jews to repentance, and so Jehovah will pity them) [GESENIUS].
be exalted--Men will have more elevated views of God's mercy; or else, "He will rise up to pity you" [G. V. SMITH]. Or (taking the previous clause as MAURER, "Therefore Jehovah will delay" in punishing you, "in order that He may be gracious to you," if ye repent), He will be far removed from you (so in
Ps 10:5, far above out sight); that is, He will not immediately descend to punish, "in order that He may have mercy," &c.
judgment--justice; faithfulness to His covenant.
wait--compare
Isa 30:15, wait, namely, for His times of having mercy.
19 (
Isa 65:9). The restoration from Babylon only typifies the full accomplishment of the prophecy (Isa. 30:18-33).
weep no more-- (
Isa 25:8).
thy cry-- (
Isa 26:8-
Isa 26:9;
Jer 29:12-
Jer 29:14).
20 Rather, "The Lord will give"; the "though" is not in the original.
bread of adversity--He will not deny you food enough to save you in your adversity (
1Kgs 22:27;
Ps 127:2).
be removed--rather, "hide themselves"; they shall no more be forced to hide themselves from persecution, but shall be openly received with reverence [MAURER]. Contrast with this
Ps 74:9;
Amos 8:11.
21 word--conscience, guided by the Holy Spirit (
John 16:13).
22 covering of . . . images--rather, "images" (formed of wood or potter's clay, and) "covered with silver." Hezekiah, and afterwards Josiah, defiled them (
2Kgs 23:8,
2Kgs 23:10,
2Kgs 23:14,
2Kgs 23:16;
2Chr 31:1; compare
Isa 2:20;
Deut 7:25).
23 rain of--rather, "for thy seed." Physical prosperity accompanies national piety; especially under the Old Testament. The early rain fell soon after the seed was sown in October or November; the latter rain in the spring, before the ripening of the corn. Both were needed for a good harvest.
increase--the produce.
fat--bread made of the best wheat flour (compare
Gen 49:20;
Deut 32:14).
24 ear--that is, till. Asses were employed in tillage, as well as oxen (
Deut 22:10).
clean--rather, salted provender [GESENIUS]. The Arab proverb is, "Sweet provender is as bread to camels--salted provender as confectionery." The very cattle shall share the coming felicity. Or else, well-fermented maslin, that is, provender formed of a mixture of various substances: grain, beans, vetches, hay, and salt.
winnowed--not as it is usually given to cattle before it is separated from the chaff; the grain shall be so abundant that it shall be given winnowed.
shovel--by which the grain was thrown up in the wind to separate it from the chaff.
fan--an instrument for winnowing.
25 Even the otherwise barren hills shall then be well-watered (
Isa 44:3).
the day, &c.--when the disobedient among the Jews shall have been slain, as foretold in
Isa 30:16 : "towers," that is, mighty men (
Isa 2:15). Or else, the towers of the Assyrian Sennacherib, or of Babylon, types of all enemies of God's people.
26 Image from the heavenly bodies to express the increase of spiritual light and felicity. "Sevenfold" implies the perfection of that felicity, seven being the sacred number. It shall also be literally fulfilled hereafter in the heavenly city (
Isa 60:19-
Isa 60:20;
Rev 21:23-
Rev 21:24;
Rev 22:5).
breach--the wound, or calamity, sent by God on account of their sins (
Isa 1:5).
27 name of . . . Lord--that is, Jehovah Himself (
Ps 44:5;
Ps 54:1); represented as a storm approaching and ready to burst over the Assyrians (
Isa 30:30-
Isa 30:31).
burden . . . is heavy--literally, "grievousness is the flame," that is, the flame which darts from Him is grievous. Or else (as the Hebrew means an "uplifting") the uprising cloud is grievous [G. V. SMITH]; the gathering cloud gradually rising till it bursts.
28 (
Isa 11:4;
2Thess 2:8).
reach . . . neck--the most extreme danger; yet as the head, or capital of Judah, was to be spared (
Isa 8:8), so the head, or sovereign of Assyria, Sennacherib, should escape.
sieve of vanity--Rather, "the winnowing fan of destruction" [LOWTH] (
Isa 41:16).
bridle in . . . jaws--as prisoners are represented in the Assyrian inscriptions (
Isa 37:29).
causing . . . to err-- (
Isa 63:17). "People," Hebrew, "peoples," namely, the various races composing the Assyrian armies (
Isa 5:26).
29 the night . . . solemnity--As in the passover night ye celebrate your deliverance from Egypt, so shall ye celebrate your rescue from Assyrian bondage. Translate, "the solemnity" (
Exod 12:42).
goeth with a pipe--or flute. They used to go up to Jerusalem ("the mountain of the Lord," Zion) at the three feasts with music and gladness (
Deut 16:16;
Ezra 2:65;
Ps 122:1-
Ps 122:4).
30 Jehovah's "glorious voice," raised against the enemy (
Isa 30:27), is again mentioned here, in contrast to the music (
Isa 30:29) with which His people shall come to worship Him.
lighting down of . . . arm-- (
Isa 30:32;
Ps 38:2). The descent of His arm in striking.
scattering--namely, a blast that scatters, or an "inundation" [MAURER].
31 The Assyrian rod which beat shall itself be beaten, and that by the mere voice of the Lord, that is, an unseen divine agency (
Isa 10:5,
Isa 10:24).
32 grounded--rather, "decreed," "appointed" [MAURER].
staff--the avenging rod.
him--the Assyrian; type of all God's enemies in every age. Margin and MAURER construe, "Every passing through (infliction,
Isa 28:15) of the appointed rod, which, &c., shall be with tabrets," that is, accompanied with joy on the part of the rescued peoples.
battles of shaking--that is, shock of battles (
Isa 19:16; compare "sift . . . sieve,"
Isa 30:28).
with it--namely, Assyria.
33 Tophet--literally, "A place of abomination"; the valley of the sons of Hinnom, southeast of Jerusalem, where Israel offered human sacrifices to Moloch by fire; hence a place of burning (
2Kgs 23:10;
Jer 7:31). Latterly Gehinnom or Gehenna, that is, valley of Hinnom, was the receptacle of the refuse of the city, to consume which fires were constantly burning. Hence it came to express hell, the place of torment. In the former sense it was a fit place to symbolize the funeral pyre of the Assyrian army (not that it actually perished there); the Hebrews did not burn, but buried their dead, but the heathen Assyrians are to be burnt as a mark of ignominy. In the latter sense Tophet is the receptacle "prepared for the devil (antitype to the king,
Isa 14:12-
Isa 14:15) and his angels," and unbelieving men (
Matt 5:22;
Matt 25:41;
Mark 9:43-
Mark 9:44).
