The Meaning of Isaiah 30:2 Explained

Isaiah 30:2

KJV: 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!

YLT: Who are walking to go down to Egypt, And My mouth have not asked, To be strong in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt.

Darby: who walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked of my mouth, to take refuge under the protection of Pharaoh, and trust in the shadow of Egypt!

ASV: that set out to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt!

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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! 

What does Isaiah 30:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

How ironic that God"s people thought they could find life in Egypt, which had historically been a place of death for them and from which they had fled formerly (cf. Exodus 1:22). Furthermore, they had done this without even consulting the Lord, a failure that had resulted in the Gibeonite compromise generations earlier (cf. Joshua 9:14). Rather than seeking safety under the shadow of the Almighty ( Psalm 91:1), they had sought it under the shadow of Pharaoh.
"In Ashurbanipal"s late reign and in those of his successors, Assyria had become less aggressive. But Psamtik I, Pharaoh of Egypt, increased in power and ambition. Jerusalem"s leaders were determined to play the game of power politics, pitting one superpower against the one they thought would be its successor." [1]

Context Summary

Isaiah 30:1-17 - Fatal Reliance On Human Aid
Toward the close of the 8th century, b.c. Jerusalem sent ambassadors to seek help from Egypt against Assyria, in distinct defiance of God's repeated warnings. Isaiah denounced this as adding sin to sin. Even though their princes reached Zoan and Hanes, capital cities, and succeeded in their object, it would not help them. The beasts of burden might traverse the deserts with presents and bribes, but all would be in vain. These truths, however, were unpalatable, and the politicians endeavored to silence the prophet, Isaiah 30:9-11. All sin recoils on the sinner. At first his efforts seem to protect him, but soon the wall begins to bulge, then it totters, finally it falls. The true policy, urged by Isaiah in Isaiah 30:15, would be to renounce these efforts for Egyptian help and return to rest in the loving care of God. In returning and rest they would be saved! Oh, that we were more quiet and calm in the face of danger, hushing our fears, stilling our throbbing hearts, and leaning back on the everlasting arms! God cannot fail you, ye fearful saints. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 30

1  The prophet threatens the people for their confidence in Egypt
8  And contempt of God's word
18  God's mercies toward his church
27  God's wrath and the people's joy, in the destruction of Assyria

What do the individual words in Isaiah 30:2 mean?

who walk to go down to Egypt and My advice not have asked to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh and to trust in the shadow of Egypt
הַהֹלְכִים֙ לָרֶ֣דֶת מִצְרַ֔יִם וּפִ֖י לֹ֣א שָׁאָ֑לוּ לָעוֹז֙ בְּמָע֣וֹז פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְלַחְס֖וֹת בְּצֵ֥ל ! מִצְרָֽיִם

הַהֹלְכִים֙  who  walk 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
לָרֶ֣דֶת  to  go  down  to 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יָרַד  
Sense: to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down.
מִצְרַ֔יִם  Egypt 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִצְרַיִם  
Sense: a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows adj Egyptians = “double straits”.
וּפִ֖י  and  My  advice 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: פֶּה  
Sense: mouth.
שָׁאָ֑לוּ  have  asked 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: שָׁאַל 
Sense: to ask, enquire, borrow, beg.
לָעוֹז֙  to  strengthen  themselves 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָזַז  
Sense: to be strong.
בְּמָע֣וֹז  in  the  strength 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מָעֹוז 
Sense: place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold.
פַּרְעֹ֔ה  of  Pharaoh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: פַּרְעֹה  
Sense: the common title of the king of Egypt.
וְלַחְס֖וֹת  and  to  trust 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: חָסָה  
Sense: (Qal) to seek refuge, flee for protection.
בְּצֵ֥ל  in  the  shadow 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: צֵל  
Sense: shadow, shade.
! מִצְרָֽיִם  of  Egypt 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִצְרַיִם  
Sense: a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows adj Egyptians = “double straits”.