Isaiah 30:9

That this [is] a rebellious people, lying children, children [that] will not hear the law of the LORD:

That this is a rebellious {H4805} people {H5971}, lying {H3586} children {H1121}, children {H1121} that will {H14} not hear {H8085} the law {H8451} of the LORD {H3068}:

For this is a rebellious people; they are lying children, children who refuse to hear the Torah of ADONAI.

These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction.

For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Jehovah;

Isaiah 30:9 serves as a stark indictment against the people of Judah, delivered by the prophet Isaiah. It vividly describes their deep-seated spiritual condition: a nation characterized by defiance, deceit, and a deliberate refusal to heed God's divine instruction.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic message in Isaiah chapters 28-33, where the prophet Isaiah vehemently warns Judah against forming an alliance with Egypt for protection against the looming Assyrian threat. Instead of trusting in the Lord, Judah sought human alliances and military strength. Isaiah 30 specifically condemns this reliance on Egypt, portraying it as a betrayal of their covenant with God. The previous verses, such as Isaiah 30:1, detail their rebellious plans to go down to Egypt without seeking God's counsel, setting the stage for this sharp rebuke of their character.

Key Themes

  • Rebellion and Disobedience: The core accusation is that Judah is a "rebellious people." This isn't just a momentary lapse but a pervasive attitude of defiance against God's will and covenant. Their unwillingness to "hear the law of the LORD" highlights a fundamental rejection of divine authority and guidance.
  • Deceit and Unfaithfulness: Describing them as "lying children" underscores their untrustworthiness and perhaps their tendency to make false promises or to live deceptively. This spiritual falsehood contrasts sharply with the truth and faithfulness of God.
  • Rejection of Divine Instruction: The phrase "will not hear the law of the LORD" (torat Yahweh in Hebrew) refers to a deliberate turning away from God's instruction, guidance, and revealed will. It's not an inability to hear, but an unwillingness, leading to spiritual deafness. This spiritual posture is often contrasted with the blessings promised to those who diligently obey God's voice.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rebellious" (מָרָה - marah) often carries the connotation of bitterness or defiance, indicating a deep-seated antagonism. "Lying children" translates from the Hebrew banim kochashim (בָּנִים כֹּחֲשִׁים), which can be rendered "children of falsehood" or "children who deal falsely." This emphasizes their inherent character of deceit. The "law of the LORD" (תּוֹרַת יְהוָה - torat Yahweh) is more than just legal statutes; it encompasses God's entire body of teaching, instruction, and moral guidance for His people.

Practical Application

Isaiah 30:9 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we truly listening to God's Word, or are we selectively hearing what we want to hear? Do we exhibit a spirit of rebellion against divine truth, preferring our own wisdom or the counsel of the world over God's clear instructions? This verse calls for humility and a willingness to obey, reminding us that true security and blessing come from loving God by keeping His commandments, not by relying on human schemes or deceitful ways. It highlights the eternal truth that God desires a people who genuinely seek and follow His will.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 30:1

    ¶ Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

  • Zechariah 1:4

    Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and [from] your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

  • Zechariah 1:6

    But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

  • Zephaniah 3:2

    She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.

  • Acts 7:51

    ¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye.

  • Zechariah 7:11

    But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

  • Zechariah 7:12

    Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back