Isaiah 30:13

KJV

Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore this iniquity {H5771} shall be to you as a breach {H6556} ready to fall {H5307}, swelling out {H1158} in a high {H7682} wall {H2346}, whose breaking {H7667} cometh {H935} suddenly {H6597} at an instant {H6621}.

Complete Jewish Bible

this sin will become for you a crack bulging out high on a wall, showing signs it is ready to fall; then suddenly, all at once, it breaks."

Berean Standard Bible

this iniquity of yours is like a breach about to fail, a bulge in a high wall, whose collapse will come suddenly— in an instant!

American Standard Version

therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly in an instant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 30:13 delivers a stark prophetic warning to Judah, portraying their persistent rebellion and rejection of divine counsel as a structural flaw within a high, seemingly secure wall. This iniquity, accumulating and expanding unseen, is destined to cause a sudden, catastrophic collapse, illustrating the inevitable and swift judgment that follows a nation's or individual's stubborn refusal to trust in God and their reliance on deceptive human alliances. The verse underscores the precariousness of false security built on disobedience, highlighting the destructive power of unaddressed sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of prophetic oracles in Isaiah 30-31, where the prophet vehemently condemns Judah's decision to seek an alliance with Egypt against the looming threat of Assyria. Chapters 28-33 form a distinct section of "Woes," with Isaiah 30 specifically pronouncing a "Woe to the rebellious children" who "carry out a plan, but not Mine" [Isaiah 30:1](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1 - Woe to Rebellious Children"). The immediate context of [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Judah's Rebellion and Reliance on Egypt") details Judah's misguided journey to Egypt for help, a move explicitly forbidden by God, who desired their trust and rest. The "iniquity" of verse 13 is directly linked to their stubborn refusal to listen to God's law and prophetic warnings, preferring human solutions and deceitful ways, as highlighted in [Isaiah 30:9-12](/isaiah/30-9 "Isaiah 30:9-12 - Judah's Rejection of God's Word"). The imagery of a wall here serves as a metaphor for their perceived national security, which their sin is actively undermining.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 8th century BCE was a period of intense geopolitical instability in the Ancient Near East. The powerful Assyrian Empire, under Sennacherib, was a dominant force, threatening smaller nations like Judah. In response, many nations, including Judah, looked to Egypt, a traditional regional power, for military assistance. However, God, through Isaiah, consistently warned Judah against such alliances, urging them to rely solely on Him for deliverance. Walls were crucial for defense in ancient cities, symbolizing strength, security, and protection. A "high wall" would represent formidable, impregnable defenses. The concept of a structural defect, "swelling out," would have been immediately understood as a grave and often hidden danger, indicating internal pressure or decay that could lead to sudden collapse, a common fear in walled cities.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 30:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **inevitable consequences of disobedience** and the **folly of false security**. Judah's reliance on Egypt, rather than the Lord, is depicted as a self-destructive act that creates an internal flaw, not an external threat. Secondly, the verse highlights the **deceptive and insidious nature of sin**. Like a "swelling out" in a wall, sin often works subtly, accumulating pressure and weakening foundations from within, before its destructive effects become apparent. This internal decay is more dangerous than any external siege. Finally, it emphasizes the **suddenness and certainty of divine judgment**. While God is patient, there is a tipping point where accumulated iniquity leads to swift and decisive judgment, leaving no time for remedy, a theme echoed in passages like [Proverbs 29:1](/proverbs/29-1 "Proverbs 29:1 - He Who Is Often Rebuked"). The verse serves as a stark reminder that true security lies only in trusting God, not in human strength or deceptive alliances.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** From H5771, meaning "perversity, i.e. (moral) evil; fault, mischief, punishment (of iniquity), sin." This term denotes not merely an act of sin, but the crookedness or distortion of character and will that leads to sin. It implies a deviation from God's straight path, a moral perversion that has accumulated in Judah's persistent rebellion and refusal to listen to divine instruction.
* **breach (Hebrew, _perets'_):** From H6556, meaning "a break (literally or figuratively); breach, breaking forth (in), forth, gap." This word describes a rupture or a point of weakness that is about to give way. It suggests a critical vulnerability, a place where the integrity of the structure has been compromised, making it susceptible to collapse.
* **swelling out (Hebrew, _bâʻâh'_):** From H1158, meaning "to gush over, i.e. to swell; (figuratively) to desire earnestly; by implication to ask." In this context, it vividly describes a bulge or protrusion in the wall, indicating immense internal pressure or decay. This is not a superficial crack but a deep-seated structural problem, where the very material of the wall is pushing outward, signaling imminent failure.
* **wall (Hebrew, _chôwmâh'_):** From H2346, meaning "a wall of protection; wall, walled." This term refers to a defensive wall, typically surrounding a city. In Isaiah 30:13, it symbolizes Judah's perceived strength, security, and national integrity. The imagery suggests that the very thing they relied on for protection was being undermined by their own internal moral decay.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall":** The prophet declares that Judah's accumulated moral evil and perversity (their "iniquity") will manifest as a fatal flaw, a "breach," within their national structure. This breach is not merely a crack but an imminent point of failure, poised to give way at any moment. It signifies that their spiritual and moral decay has created an unavoidable vulnerability.
* **"swelling out in a high wall":** This clause intensifies the imagery, describing the breach as a bulge or outward distortion in a "high wall." The "high wall" represents Judah's perceived strength, security, and perhaps even their arrogance or self-reliance. The "swelling out" indicates that the iniquity is not just a surface flaw but a deep, internal pressure, a hidden decay that is actively pushing against the very foundations of their security, making collapse inevitable.
* **"whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant":** This final phrase delivers the punchline of the prophecy. The collapse of this compromised wall, representing Judah's downfall, will not be a slow, gradual process, but a swift, unexpected, and complete destruction. The double emphasis of "suddenly" and "at an instant" underscores the terrifying speed and finality of divine judgment when the measure of iniquity is full, leaving no time for escape or remedy.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 30:13 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**. The central **metaphor** is that of Judah's iniquity being likened to a structural defect in a "high wall." The "high wall" itself serves as a **symbol** of Judah's perceived national strength, security, and self-reliance, which they mistakenly believed could protect them from external threats like Assyria, even without God's help. The "breach ready to fall" and "swelling out" are vivid **metaphors** for the internal decay and accumulating pressure of sin, which, though perhaps not immediately visible, is actively undermining their foundations. The "breaking cometh suddenly at an instant" employs **hyperbole** and **intensification** to emphasize the swift, unexpected, and utterly devastating nature of the impending divine judgment. The entire verse functions as a powerful **allegory** for the destructive consequences of spiritual rebellion and misplaced trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 30:13 powerfully articulates the biblical principle that persistent sin, particularly the rejection of God's clear word and a reliance on human strength over divine faithfulness, leads to inevitable and often sudden judgment. This verse connects deeply with the theme of divine sovereignty and justice, demonstrating that God will not be mocked and that His warnings are not idle threats. It highlights the deceptive nature of sin, which promises security but delivers ruin, and the futility of building one's life or nation on anything other than the firm foundation of God's truth and covenant faithfulness. The imagery of a collapsing wall underscores the fragility of human constructs and the ultimate security found only in the Lord.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Psalm 62:3](/psalm/62-3 "Like a Leaning Wall")
* [Matthew 7:26-27](/matthew/7-26 "The Foolish Builder")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 30:13 serves as a profound and timeless warning, urging us to consider the foundations upon which we build our lives, our families, and our communities. Just as Judah trusted in a human alliance rather than God, we too can be tempted to place our security in wealth, status, relationships, or personal abilities, neglecting the divine counsel. Unaddressed sin, like the "swelling out" in the wall, creates internal pressure and decay, often hidden from plain sight, but inevitably leading to a sudden spiritual, emotional, or relational collapse. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, to honestly assess where we might be harboring "iniquity" – those areas of our lives where we stubbornly resist God's will and seek our own way. It compels us to repent swiftly and turn back to the Lord, recognizing that true and lasting security is found only in humble reliance on His unfailing strength and wisdom. We are reminded that while God is patient, the consequences of persistent rebellion are certain and can manifest with terrifying suddenness, leaving no room for regret or remedy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I relying on human solutions or false securities instead of trusting fully in God's provision and guidance?**
* **What "iniquities" or unaddressed sins might be accumulating in my life, creating hidden pressures that could lead to a sudden breakdown?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more immediate responsiveness to God's warnings and promptings, rather than waiting for a crisis to force change?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the importance of building my life on the solid foundation of God's Word and character?**

### FAQ
**Does Isaiah 30:13 mean that God is always waiting to punish us suddenly for our sins?**

Answer: No, the verse does not imply that God is eagerly waiting to punish. Rather, it highlights the *inevitable consequences* of persistent, unrepented sin and rebellion, especially when God's clear warnings are ignored. The "suddenness" of the breaking refers to the point when the accumulated "iniquity" has so thoroughly undermined the foundation that collapse is unavoidable and swift, often catching the rebellious off guard. It's less about God's desire to punish and more about the natural, destructive trajectory of sin when it is allowed to fester and grow, leading to a point of no return. God's character is marked by patience and a desire for repentance, as seen in passages like [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord's Patience"). However, His justice also ensures that the consequences of rejecting His grace will ultimately manifest.

**How does the imagery of a "high wall" relate to modern life?**

Answer: The "high wall" in Isaiah 30:13 symbolizes anything we rely on for security and strength apart from God. In modern life, this could be our financial stability, career success, social status, personal achievements, intellectual prowess, or even our physical health. We often build these "walls" high, believing they make us invulnerable. However, if these are built on a foundation of "iniquity"—such as dishonesty, pride, self-reliance, or a disregard for God's principles—they become like the "swelling out" wall. The internal decay of sin, though hidden, undermines these perceived strengths, making them susceptible to sudden, unexpected collapse. The verse serves as a timeless reminder that true security and lasting peace come only from building our lives on the unshakeable foundation of God's truth and trusting in Him alone, as [Psalm 18:2](/psalm/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is My Rock") proclaims.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 30:13 warns of the sudden judgment for a nation's accumulated iniquity, it also points forward to the ultimate solution for humanity's pervasive sin problem in Jesus Christ. The "breach ready to fall" and the "swelling out in a high wall" vividly depict the destructive power of sin, which separates humanity from God and leads to inevitable spiritual and physical death. Humanity, like Judah, built its own walls of self-righteousness and rebellion, only to find them riddled with fatal flaws. However, Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, became the ultimate sacrifice, bearing the full weight of our "iniquity" on the cross, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant"). He took upon Himself the "breaking" that our sin deserved, so that those who trust in Him might be spared the sudden, instantaneous judgment. Through His atoning work, Jesus became our unbreachable "wall" of salvation, a secure refuge where no "breach" can occur. He is the cornerstone upon whom a new, eternal structure is built, one that will never fall, offering true and lasting security to all who place their faith in Him, as [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone") and [1 Peter 2:6](/1_peter/2-6 "1 Peter 2:6 - Christ, the Living Stone") affirm. In Christ, the threat of sudden destruction for sin is replaced by the promise of eternal life and an unshakable kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 29:5

Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones [shall be] as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.

Ezekiel 13:10

¶ Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and [there was] no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered [morter]:

Ezekiel 13:15

Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered [morter], and will say unto you, The wall [is] no [more], neither they that daubed it;

1 Kings 20:30

But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and [there] a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men [that were] left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.

Psalms 62:3

How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall [shall ye be, and as] a tottering fence.

Proverbs 29:1

¶ He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Psalms 73:19

How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.