King James Version

What Does Isaiah 30:15 Mean?

Isaiah 30:15 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confid...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”

Isaiah 30:15 · KJV

SalvationStrength

Context

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

15

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

16

But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.

17

One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. a beacon: or, a tree bereft of branches, or, boughs: or, a mast

Read Isaiah 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In returning and rest shall ye be saved (בְּשׁוּבָה וָנַחַת/b'shuvah vanachat)—Shuvah (returning) is the Hebrew word for repentance, literally turning around, reversing direction from sin back to God. Nachat (rest) means settled quietness, ceasing from anxious striving. Salvation comes through repentant return to God followed by restful trust—the exact opposite of frantic political maneuvering. This is gospel truth: we are saved by grace through faith-rest, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength (בְּהַשְׁקֵט וּבִטְחָה/b'hashqet uvitchah)—Hashqet means tranquil stillness; bitchah is trusting security. Military strength comes from God-confidence, not Egyptian chariots. And ye would not (וְלֹא אֲבִיתֶם/v'lo avitem)—the tragic refrain of rejected grace. They actively refused God's simple path to safety.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse comes at the climax of Isaiah's dispute with Hezekiah's pro-Egypt faction. While diplomats negotiated military treaties, Isaiah proclaimed that Judah's survival depended solely on repentant trust in Yahweh. History vindicated Isaiah—Egypt proved useless (Isaiah 30:7), but when Hezekiah finally trusted God, Jerusalem was miraculously delivered from Assyria (Isaiah 37:36).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'returning and rest' look like practically when you face overwhelming circumstances?
  2. How does our culture's activism make 'quietness and confidence' seem irresponsible?
  3. In what current crisis are you saying 'I will not' to God's call for restful trust?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּ֣י1 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹֽה2 of 16
H3541

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

אָמַר֩3 of 16

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֨י4 of 16

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֜ה5 of 16

“GOD”

H3069

god

קְד֣וֹשׁ6 of 16

“the Holy One”

H6918

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל7 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

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

בְּשׁוּבָ֤ה8 of 16

“In returning”

H7729

a return

וָנַ֙חַת֙9 of 16

“and rest”

H5183

a descent, i.e., imposition, unfavorable (punishment) or favorable (food)

תִּוָּ֣שֵׁע֔וּן10 of 16

“shall ye be saved”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

בְּהַשְׁקֵט֙11 of 16

“in quietness”

H8252

to repose (usually figurative)

וּבְבִטְחָ֔ה12 of 16

“and in confidence”

H985

trust

תִּֽהְיֶ֖ה13 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

גְּבֽוּרַתְכֶ֑ם14 of 16

“shall be your strength”

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

וְלֹ֖א15 of 16
H3808

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

אֲבִיתֶֽם׃16 of 16

“and ye would”

H14

to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent

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 30:15 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 30:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 26:3-4Isaiah 32:17Jeremiah 3:22-23Psalms 125:1-2John 5:401 Chronicles 5:20

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