Isaiah 30:14

KJV

And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water [withal] out of the pit.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall break {H7665} it as the breaking {H7667} of the potters {H3335}' vessel {H5035} that is broken in pieces {H3807}; he shall not spare {H2550}: so that there shall not be found {H4672} in the bursting {H4386} of it a sherd {H2789} to take {H2846} fire {H784} from the hearth {H3344}, or to take {H2834} water {H4325} withal out of the pit {H1360}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will break it like a clay pot, ruthlessly shattering it into pieces so tiny not even a potsherd remains for taking fire from the fireplace or scooping water from the cistern.

Berean Standard Bible

It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.”

American Standard Version

And he shall break it as a potter’s vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing; so that there shall not be found among the pieces thereof a sherd wherewith to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 30:14 vividly portrays the severity and finality of divine judgment against Judah's rebellious reliance on human alliances rather than God. Through the powerful imagery of a potter's vessel shattered beyond repair, the prophet communicates that the ensuing destruction will be so complete and absolute that no fragment, however small, will remain useful for even the most menial tasks, signifying an irreversible ruin for those who reject the Lord's counsel and trust in their own strength.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 30:14 is situated within a series of prophetic pronouncements (Isaiah 28-33) condemning Judah's political maneuvering and lack of faith in Yahweh. Specifically, chapter 30 opens with a strong rebuke against "rebellious children" ([Isaiah 30:1](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1 - Woe to Rebellious Children")) who "go down to Egypt" ([Isaiah 30:2](/isaiah/30-2 "Isaiah 30:2 - Seeking Help from Egypt")) for military assistance against the Assyrian threat, explicitly rejecting God's command to "return and rest" ([Isaiah 30:15](/isaiah/30-15 "Isaiah 30:15 - In Quietness and Trust")). The verses immediately preceding verse 14 (Isaiah 30:12-13) describe Judah's sin as a "breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant." Verse 14 then serves as the devastating consequence of this sudden collapse, illustrating the utter desolation that follows their persistent disobedience and self-reliance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Isaiah's prophecy (late 8th century BCE), the Southern Kingdom of Judah faced the formidable Assyrian Empire, which was rapidly expanding its dominion. Many smaller nations, including Judah, were caught between the Assyrian juggernaut and the fading power of Egypt. Judah's kings, particularly Hezekiah, were tempted to form alliances with Egypt, a common geopolitical strategy in the ancient Near East. However, Isaiah consistently warned against such alliances, viewing them as a betrayal of the covenant with Yahweh, who alone was Judah's true protector. The imagery of a potter's vessel was deeply resonant in ancient Israelite culture, where pottery was ubiquitous and essential for daily life. A broken pot, especially one shattered into tiny pieces, was utterly worthless, representing complete and irrecoverable loss.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating God's righteous wrath against those who forsake Him. It highlights the **Futility of Self-Reliance** and human alliances, contrasting them with the wisdom and security found in trusting God alone, a theme echoed in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord"). The imagery of irreversible destruction emphasizes the **Consequences of Disobedience**, particularly when it involves rejecting prophetic warnings and divine counsel. Furthermore, it subtly reinforces God's **Sovereignty** as the ultimate arbiter of nations, the one who can "break" even the most seemingly stable structures, much like a potter has absolute control over the clay, as seen in [Jeremiah 18:6](/jeremiah/18-6 "Jeremiah 18:6 - The Potter and the Clay").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **break (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** H7665 - A primitive root meaning to burst (literally or figuratively); break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), crush, destroy. Here, it conveys a violent, decisive, and complete act of shattering, emphasizing the divine agent of destruction.
* **potters' (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_):** H3335 - Probably identical with H3335 (through the squeezing into shape); to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution). This word highlights the artisan's craft, implying that the vessel was deliberately formed, and its breaking is therefore a deliberate act, not an accident. It also connects to God as the ultimate Potter.
* **sherd (Hebrew, _cheres'_):** H2789 - A collateral form mediating between H2789 and H2789; a piece of pottery; earth(-en), (pot-) sherd. This refers to a small, broken fragment of a clay vessel. Its mention here emphasizes the utter worthlessness of the remnants, as even the smallest pieces are unusable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare:"** This opening clause introduces the divine agent ("he," referring to God) and the object of judgment ("it," referring to Judah's rebellious way, symbolized by the "high wall" of verse 13). The act of breaking is compared to a potter's vessel being utterly shattered. The phrase "he shall not spare" (H2550, _châmal'_) underscores the absence of pity or compassion in this act of judgment, indicating its uncompromising nature. The destruction is not partial or reversible but complete and without mercy, a direct consequence of Judah's persistent sin.
* **"so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth,"** This segment vividly illustrates the extreme thoroughness of the destruction. The "bursting" (H4386, _mᵉkittâh'_) refers to the violent fracture. The consequence is that not even a "sherd" (H2789, _cheres'_) – the smallest, most insignificant piece of the broken vessel – will be large enough or intact enough to be useful for the simplest of tasks, such as scooping embers (H784, _ʼêsh'_) from a hearth (H3344, _yâqad'_). This hyperbole emphasizes the absolute uselessness of the remnants.
* **"or to take water [withal] out of the pit."** This final clause continues the imagery of utter uselessness. Just as no sherd can carry fire, none will be found suitable to "take" (H2834, _châsaph'_) or draw "water" (H4325, _mayim'_) from a "pit" (H1360, _gebeʼ'_). These are basic, everyday functions for which even a small, intact piece of pottery might be repurposed. The inability to use any fragment for even these minimal purposes powerfully conveys the complete and irreversible nature of the judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 30:14 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of destruction. The central device is a powerful **Simile**, comparing Judah's impending ruin to "the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces." This comparison is highly effective because a shattered clay pot is culturally understood as irredeemable and utterly worthless. The verse also employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the completeness of the destruction: "there shall not be found... a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water... out of the pit." This exaggeration underscores the idea that absolutely nothing of value or utility will remain, amplifying the severity of God's judgment. The "potter" can also be seen as a **Metaphor** for God himself, the sovereign Creator who has the power to shape and also to shatter, reflecting His ultimate authority over nations and individuals.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly speaks to the nature of divine justice and the dire consequences of persistent rebellion against God's revealed will. It highlights that God's judgment, while often slow in coming, is ultimately decisive and complete when His people refuse to repent and instead rely on their own strength or worldly alliances. The imagery of the shattered pot serves as a stark reminder that when God's patience is exhausted, the resulting brokenness is beyond human repair, leaving no hope for salvage or repurposing. This teaches us that true security and flourishing are found only in humble dependence upon the Lord, not in human ingenuity or power.

* [Jeremiah 19:11](/jeremiah/19-11 "Jeremiah 19:11 - Breaking the Potter's Vessel")
* [Psalm 2:9](/psalms/2-9 "Psalm 2:9 - You Shall Break Them with a Rod of Iron")
* [Romans 9:20-21](/romans/9-20 "Romans 9:20-21 - The Potter and the Clay")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 30:14 serves as a timeless and sobering warning, urging us to consider the foundation of our trust and security. In an age where self-reliance, technological solutions, and political alliances often take precedence, this verse challenges us to examine whether our ultimate dependence rests on human wisdom or divine guidance. When we, like Judah, choose to lean on our own understanding or worldly powers instead of seeking the Lord's counsel and resting in His provision, we risk facing consequences that are far-reaching and irreversible. This passage calls us to a posture of humility, repentance, and unwavering faith, reminding us that God's ways are always true, and His warnings are for our ultimate good. It compels us to cultivate a heart that is quick to listen to His Word and trust in His sovereignty, knowing that true peace and stability are found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on my own strength or worldly solutions rather than trusting God?**
* **What "alliances" or dependencies in my life might be leading me away from full reliance on Christ?**
* **How does the imagery of a shattered, useless vessel challenge my understanding of the consequences of disobedience?**
* **What steps can I take today to cultivate a deeper posture of humility and dependence on the Lord?**

### FAQ
**What does the "potters' vessel" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: The "potters' vessel" symbolizes the nation of Judah itself, or more broadly, any entity or system that God has fashioned but which has become rebellious and disobedient. Just as a potter has absolute control over the clay, shaping it as he pleases, God has sovereign control over nations. When the vessel becomes flawed or disobedient to the potter's intent, it is utterly shattered, signifying complete and irreversible judgment. This imagery is a powerful metaphor for God's authority and the finality of His judgment against those who reject His covenant and seek their own way, as seen in [Jeremiah 18:6](/jeremiah/18-6 "Jeremiah 18:6 - The Potter's Power").

**Why is it significant that no sherd can be found to take fire or water?**

Answer: This detail emphasizes the absolute and total nature of the destruction. In ancient times, even small broken pieces of pottery (sherds) were often repurposed for minor tasks, like scooping embers to start a fire or bailing small amounts of water. The hyperbole here indicates that the vessel will be so utterly pulverized that not even the smallest fragment will retain any utility whatsoever. This signifies that the judgment will leave nothing salvageable, no remnant that can be repurposed for good, underscoring the complete ruin and worthlessness that results from persistent rebellion against God. It highlights the finality and severity of God's judgment against Judah's unfaithfulness and their reliance on Egypt, as described in [Isaiah 30:7](/isaiah/30-7 "Isaiah 30:7 - Egypt's Help is Worthless").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 30:14 speaks of a devastating judgment upon rebellious Judah, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment points to the profound reality of God's judgment being fully borne by Jesus Christ on the cross. Humanity, in its rebellion and self-reliance, was like a shattered vessel, utterly broken and useless in its sin, incapable of saving itself or earning divine favor. Yet, instead of shattering humanity completely, God, in His infinite mercy, allowed His Son to become the "broken vessel" for us. Jesus, the perfect Lamb, took upon Himself the full weight of divine wrath and judgment for sin, enduring the ultimate breaking so that those who believe in Him might not be shattered but made new. Through His sacrifice, the curse of the broken covenant is reversed, and believers are no longer subject to the judgment described in Isaiah 30:14. Instead of irreversible destruction, there is now reconciliation and new life in Christ, as He became sin for us, "that we might become the righteousness of God in him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Furthermore, this passage foreshadows Christ's ultimate authority as the one who will, in the end, "break them with a rod of iron" ([Revelation 2:27](/revelation/2-27 "Revelation 2:27 - Rule with a Rod of Iron")) those who persistently reject Him, while for His faithful, there is no condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

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

Psalms 2:9

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Jeremiah 19:10

¶ Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee,

Jeremiah 19:11

And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as [one] breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury [them] in Tophet, till [there be] no place to bury.

Revelation 2:27

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Romans 11:21

For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.

2 Peter 2:4

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

2 Peter 2:5

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;