Isa 30:1-2, 9, 15-16 | JFB | e4.org | 1. take counsel —rather, as imply, "execute counsels." cover . . . covering —that is, wrap themselves in reliances disloyal towards Jehovah. "Cover" thus answers to "seek to hide deeply their counsel from the Lord" ( ). But the Hebrew is literally, "who pour out libations"; as it was by these that leagues were made ( ), translate, "who make a league." not of —not suggested by My Spirit" ( ). that they may add —The consequence is here spoken of as their intention, so reckless were they of sinning: one sin entails the commission of another ( ).

‏ Isaiah 30:1-2

1. take counsel—rather, as Isa 30:4, 6 imply, "execute counsels."

cover . . . covering—that is, wrap themselves in reliances disloyal towards Jehovah. "Cover" thus answers to "seek to hide deeply their counsel from the Lord" (Isa 29:15). But the Hebrew is literally, "who pour out libations"; as it was by these that leagues were made (Ex 24:8; Zec 9:11), translate, "who make a league."

not of—not suggested by My Spirit" (Nu 27:21; Jos 9:14).

that they may add—The consequence is here spoken of as their intention, so reckless were they of sinning: one sin entails the commission of another (De 29:19).

2. walk—are now setting out, namely, their ambassadors (Isa 30:4).

Egypt—See on Isa 19:1; Isa 20:1.

Pharaoh—the generic name of the kings of Egypt, as Cæsar was at Rome. The word in Egyptian means "king" [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 8.6,2]. Phra, "the sun," was the hieroglyphic symbol and title of the king.

shadow—image from shelter against heat: protection (Ps 121:5, 6).

‏ Isaiah 30:9

9. lying—unfaithful to Jehovah, whose covenant they had taken on them as His adopted children (Isa 59:13; Pr 30:9).

‏ Isaiah 30:15-16

15. returning and rest—turning back from your embassy to Egypt, and ceasing from warlike preparations.

quietness—answering to "wait for Him (God)" (Isa 30:18).

16. flee—not as fugitives, but we will speed our course; namely, against the Assyrians, by the help of cavalry supplied by Egypt (Isa 31:1). This was expressly against the Mosaic law (De 17:16; see on Isa 2:7; Ho 14:3).

shall . . . flee—literally, "before your enemies"; their sin and its punishment correspond.