King James Version

What Does Isaiah 30:12 Mean?

Isaiah 30:12 in the King James Version says “Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: oppression: or, fraud”

Isaiah 30:12 · KJV

Context

10

Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

11

Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

12

Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: oppression: or, fraud

13

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.

14

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. the potters': Heb. the bottle of potters

Read Isaiah 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness (מָאַס בַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה/ma'as baddavar hazzeh)—The Hebrew verb ma'as means to reject with contempt, actively spurning God's prophetic word. Israel's sin was twofold: despising divine revelation while simultaneously trusting (בָּטַח/batach) in oppression (עֹשֶׁק/osheq)—extortion, exploitation of the weak—and perverseness (נָלוֹז/naloz)—crookedness, deviation from righteousness.

And stay thereon—they leaned their full weight (שָׁעַן/sha'an) on political manipulation rather than God's promises. This indictment exposes the fundamental idolatry of trusting unjust systems while rejecting God's word, a pattern Jesus condemned in the Pharisees (Mark 7:13).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah prophesied during Judah's Assyrian crisis (701 BC), when King Hezekiah's officials sought Egyptian alliance instead of trusting God. The 'oppression and perverseness' likely refers to the political machinations and compromises required to secure Egypt's military support, including possible tribute payments and treaty obligations that violated covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'words of God' do you find yourself despising through inattention or selective hearing?
  2. In what areas are you tempted to trust in human systems of power rather than God's promises?
  3. How does political pragmatism today mirror Judah's trust in 'oppression and perverseness'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 14
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּ֤ה2 of 14
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙3 of 14

“Wherefore thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

קְד֣וֹשׁ4 of 14

“the Holy One”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל5 of 14

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

יַ֥עַן6 of 14
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

מָֽאָסְכֶ֖ם7 of 14

“Because ye despise”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

בַּדָּבָ֣ר8 of 14

“this word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֑ה9 of 14
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַֽתִּבְטְחוּ֙10 of 14

“and trust”

H982

properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure

בְּעֹ֣שֶׁק11 of 14

“in oppression”

H6233

injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain

וְנָל֔וֹז12 of 14

“and perverseness”

H3868

to turn aside , i.e., (literally) to depart, (figuratively) be perverse

וַתִּֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ13 of 14

“and stay”

H8172

to support one's self

עָלָֽיו׃14 of 14
H5921

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

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 30:12 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 30:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 31:1-3Amos 2:4Isaiah 5:241 Thessalonians 4:8Isaiah 47:10Luke 10:16

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