King James Version

What Does Isaiah 30:6 Mean?

Isaiah 30:6 in the King James Version says “The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, th... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

Isaiah 30:6 · KJV


Context

4

For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.

5

They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.

6

The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

7

For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still. concerning: or, to her

8

Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: the: Heb. the latter day


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The burden of the beasts of the south (מַשָּׂא בַּהֲמוֹת נֶגֶב/massa bahamot negev)—Massa means oracle/burden/pronouncement. Behamot (beasts) refers to pack animals (donkeys, camels) laden with tribute for Egypt. Negev is the southern desert region between Judah and Egypt—barren, dangerous wilderness.

Into the land of trouble and anguish (בְּאֶרֶץ צָרָה וְצוּקָה/be'erets tsarah vetsuqah)—The Negev characterized as a land of distress (tsarah) and anguish (tsuqah, straits, hardship). From whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent (לָבִיא וָלַיִשׁ מֵהֶם אֶפְעֶה וְשָׂרָף מְעוֹפֵף/lavi valayish mehem ef'eh vesaraf me'ofef)—Catalog of dangers: lions (both lavi and layish, perhaps young and old), vipers (ef'eh, poisonous snakes), and fiery flying serpents (saraf me'ofef). The "fiery serpent" (saraf) appears in Numbers 21:6—venomous snakes whose bite caused burning inflammation. "Flying" may describe their quick strikes or refer to dragon-like imagery. They will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels (יִשְׂאוּ עַל־כֶּתֶף עֲיָרִים חֵילֵם וְעַל־דַּבֶּשֶׁת גְּמַלִּים אֹצְרֹתֵיהֶם/yis'u al-ketef ayarim chelem ve'al-dabbeshet gemalim otsrotehem)—Vivid imagery: wealth loaded on donkeys' shoulders and camels' humps. Chayil means wealth/resources. Otsrot means treasures. All this valuable tribute risked in deadly desert. To a people that shall not profit them (עַל־עַם לֹא יוֹעִילוּ/al-am lo yo'ilu)—Bitter irony: all this danger and expense for a people who cannot help.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse captures the foolish extravagance of Judah's diplomatic mission: endangering lives and exhausting treasures to purchase worthless Egyptian alliance. The Negev's dangers were real—lions inhabited the region until medieval times; venomous snakes remain common. Caravans faced robbery, animal attacks, dehydration. Yet Judah's ambassadors made this perilous journey loaded with tribute (gold, silver, precious goods) to secure Egypt's military support. Isaiah's imagery emphasizes the insanity: risking everything for nothing, paying exorbitant prices for worthless merchandise. This was royal folly—squandering national treasure on an ally who would provide zero benefit.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'treasures' (time, money, energy, reputation) do you risk carrying to worthless sources of help?
  2. How does the vivid imagery of dangerous journey for worthless destination illustrate the cost of not trusting God?
  3. In what ways do we endure 'trouble and anguish' pursuing securities that 'shall not profit' us?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
מַשָּׂ֖א1 of 25

The burden

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

בַּהֲמ֣וֹת2 of 25

of the beasts

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

נֶ֑גֶב3 of 25

of the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

בְּאֶרֶץ֩4 of 25

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

צָרָ֨ה5 of 25

of trouble

H6869

transitively, a female rival

וְצוּקָ֜ה6 of 25

and anguish

H6695

a strait, i.e., (figuratively) distress

לָבִ֧יא7 of 25

from whence come the young

H3833

a lion (properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;))

וָלַ֣יִשׁ8 of 25

and old lion

H3918

a lion (from his destructive blows)

מֵהֶ֗ם9 of 25
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אֶפְעֶה֙10 of 25

the viper

H660

an asp or other venomous serpent

וְשָׂרָ֣ף11 of 25

and fiery

H8314

burning, i.e., (figuratively) poisonous (serpent); specifically, a saraph or symbolical creature (from their copper color)

מְעוֹפֵ֔ף12 of 25

flying

H5774

to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)

יִשְׂאוּ֩13 of 25

they will carry

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עַל14 of 25
H5921

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

כֶּ֨תֶף15 of 25

upon the shoulders

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

עֲיָרִ֜ים16 of 25

of young asses

H5895

properly, a young ass (as just broken to a load); hence an ass-colt

חֵֽילֵהֶ֗ם17 of 25

their riches

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

וְעַל18 of 25
H5921

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

דַּבֶּ֤שֶׁת19 of 25

upon the bunches

H1707

a sticky mass, i.e., the hump of a camel

גְּמַלִּים֙20 of 25

of camels

H1581

a camel

אֽוֹצְרֹתָ֔ם21 of 25

and their treasures

H214

a depository

עַל22 of 25
H5921

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

עַ֖ם23 of 25

to a people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לֹ֥א24 of 25
H3808

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

יוֹעִֽילוּ׃25 of 25

that shall not profit

H3276

properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)


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 30:6 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 30:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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