Isaiah 30:18
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Original Language Analysis
וְלָכֵ֞ן
H3651
וְלָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
ח֥וֹכֵי
are all they that wait
H2442
ח֥וֹכֵי
are all they that wait
Strong's:
H2442
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, to adhere to; hence, to await
יְהוָ֔ה
And therefore will the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And therefore will the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַֽחֲנַנְכֶ֔ם
that he may be gracious
H2603
לַֽחֲנַנְכֶ֔ם
that he may be gracious
Strong's:
H2603
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
וְלָכֵ֥ן
H3651
וְלָכֵ֥ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יָר֖וּם
unto you and therefore will he be exalted
H7311
יָר֖וּם
unto you and therefore will he be exalted
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
6 of 15
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
לְרַֽחֶמְכֶ֑ם
that he may have mercy
H7355
לְרַֽחֶמְכֶ֑ם
that he may have mercy
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
7 of 15
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
is a God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
is a God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 15
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
מִשְׁפָּט֙
of judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּט֙
of judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
יְהוָ֔ה
And therefore will the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And therefore will the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַשְׁרֵ֖י
blessed
H835
אַשְׁרֵ֖י
blessed
Strong's:
H835
Word #:
12 of 15
happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.Proverbs 16:20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.Isaiah 8:17And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.Isaiah 25:9And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.Psalms 34:8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.2 Peter 3:15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;Luke 15:20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.Isaiah 33:5The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.Isaiah 55:8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.Psalms 27:14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Historical Context
Written during the Assyrian crisis, this promise looked beyond immediate political threats to ultimate restoration. God's 'waiting' encompassed the Babylonian exile and eventual return, but ultimately points to Messiah's first advent ("in the fullness of time," Galatians 4:4) and second coming. God's patience is redemptive, giving space for repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God's 'waiting' change your view of delayed answers to prayer?
- In what ways is God exalted when he shows mercy to you despite your failures?
- What does it mean practically to 'wait for God' in a culture that demands instant results?
Analysis & Commentary
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you (יְחַכֶּה/yechakkeh)—After devastating judgment threats, this verse pivots dramatically. God waits—the same verb used for patient expectation—because his purpose is grace (חָנַן/chanan), showing unmerited favor. He will be exalted (יָרוּם/yarum) means lifted high; God's glory is magnified when he shows mercy to the undeserving.
For the LORD is a God of judgment (מִשְׁפָּט/mishpat)—mishpat means both justice and judicial decision. God's judgment includes both punishing rebellion (vv. 12-17) and vindicating his people (vv. 19-26). Blessed are all they that wait for him—The same verb (chakah) used for God's waiting! Mutual waiting: God waits to be gracious; the faithful wait for his grace. This is the posture of faith.