Isaiah 30:12
Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
קְד֣וֹשׁ
the Holy One
H6918
קְד֣וֹשׁ
the Holy One
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
4 of 14
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יַ֥עַן
H3282
יַ֥עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
מָֽאָסְכֶ֖ם
Because ye despise
H3988
מָֽאָסְכֶ֖ם
Because ye despise
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
7 of 14
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
בַּדָּבָ֣ר
this word
H1697
בַּדָּבָ֣ר
this word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
8 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
וַֽתִּבְטְחוּ֙
and trust
H982
וַֽתִּבְטְחוּ֙
and trust
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
בְּעֹ֣שֶׁק
in oppression
H6233
בְּעֹ֣שֶׁק
in oppression
Strong's:
H6233
Word #:
11 of 14
injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain
וְנָל֔וֹז
and perverseness
H3868
וְנָל֔וֹז
and perverseness
Strong's:
H3868
Word #:
12 of 14
to turn aside , i.e., (literally) to depart, (figuratively) be perverse
Cross References
Isaiah 5:24Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.Isaiah 47:10For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.1 Thessalonians 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.Amos 2:4Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked:
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'words of God' do you find yourself despising through inattention or selective hearing?
- In what areas are you tempted to trust in human systems of power rather than God's promises?
- How does political pragmatism today mirror Judah's trust in 'oppression and perverseness'?
Analysis & 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).