King James Version

What Does Isaiah 30:1 Mean?

Isaiah 30:1 in the King James Version says “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but no...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Isaiah 30:1 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

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:

2

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!

3

Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.

Read Isaiah 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD (הוֹי בָּנִים סוֹרְרִים/hoy banim sorerim)—The fifth of six woe oracles in Isaiah (28:1, 29:1, 15; 30:1; 31:1; 33:1). Hoy is a funeral cry, lamenting those spiritually dead. Rebellious children (banim sorerim) echoes Israel's covenant relationship—sons who refuse their Father's authority. Sorer means stubborn, rebellious, turning away (same term for the rebellious son in Deuteronomy 21:18).

That take counsel, but not of me (לַעֲצֹת עֵצָה וְלֹא־מִנִּי/la'atsot etsah velo-minni)—They make plans (etsah, counsel/advice) without consulting Yahweh. The phrase "not of me" emphasizes the source: their wisdom originated from human calculation, not divine revelation. This indicts Judah's politicians negotiating Egyptian alliance against Assyria without seeking God's will. And that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit (וְלִנְסֹךְ מַסֵּכָה וְלֹא רוּחִי/velinseok massekah velo ruchi)—Massekah can mean molten image (idolatry) or woven covering (alliance treaty). They weave covenants without God's Spirit guiding. That they may add sin to sin (לְמַעַן סְפוֹת חַטָּאת עַל־חַטָּאת/lema'an sefot chattat al-chattat)—Piling sin upon sin, compounding rebellion. Political scheming without God adds to the original sin of distrust.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Around 705-701 BCE, after Assyrian king Sargon II died, Judah's King Hezekiah considered joining an anti-Assyrian coalition backed by Egypt's 25th Dynasty (Cushite/Ethiopian pharaohs). Isaiah vehemently opposed this, urging trust in Yahweh alone. Hezekiah's ambassadors traveled to Egypt seeking military aid—the very journey Isaiah condemns in verses 2-7. This represented the perennial temptation: trust visible military power (Egypt's chariots and horsemen) rather than invisible divine protection. Egypt had been Israel's oppressor (Exodus), so returning for help was doubly shameful—going back to the house of bondage for security.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you 'take counsel, but not of me' by making plans without seeking God's will through prayer and Scripture?
  2. What modern 'Egypts' do we trust instead of God—money, technology, political alliances, human wisdom?
  3. How does piling 'sin to sin' happen when one faithless decision leads to another, compounding disobedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
ה֣וֹי1 of 18

“Woe”

H1945

oh!

בָּנִ֤ים2 of 18

“children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

סֽוֹרְרִים֙3 of 18

“to the rebellious”

H5637

to turn away, i.e., (morally) be refractory

נְאֻם4 of 18

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת6 of 18

“that take”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עֵצָה֙7 of 18

“counsel”

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

וְלֹ֣א8 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מִנִּ֔י9 of 18
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וְלִנְסֹ֥ךְ10 of 18

“but not of me and that cover”

H5258

to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king

מַסֵּכָ֖ה11 of 18

“with a covering”

H4541

properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour

וְלֹ֣א12 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

רוּחִ֑י13 of 18

“but not of my spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

לְמַ֛עַן14 of 18
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

סְפ֥וֹת15 of 18

“that they may add”

H5595

properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r

חַטָּֽאת׃16 of 18

“sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

עַל17 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חַטָּֽאת׃18 of 18

“sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 30:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 30:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 65:2Isaiah 1:2Isaiah 63:10Hosea 7:13Isaiah 29:15Romans 2:5

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