Isaiah 30:20
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
Original Language Analysis
וְנָתַ֨ן
give
H5414
וְנָתַ֨ן
give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֲדֹנָ֛י
And though the Lord
H136
אֲדֹנָ֛י
And though the Lord
Strong's:
H136
Word #:
3 of 16
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
לֶ֥חֶם
you the bread
H3899
לֶ֥חֶם
you the bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
4 of 16
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וּמַ֣יִם
and the water
H4325
וּמַ֣יִם
and the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
6 of 16
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִכָּנֵ֥ף
be removed into a corner
H3670
יִכָּנֵ֥ף
be removed into a corner
Strong's:
H3670
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, to project laterally, i.e., probably (reflexive) to withdraw
עוֹד֙
H5750
עוֹד֙
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
מוֹרֶֽיךָ׃
thy teachers
H3384
מוֹרֶֽיךָ׃
thy teachers
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
וְהָי֥וּ
H1961
וְהָי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עֵינֶ֖יךָ
any more but thine eyes
H5869
עֵינֶ֖יךָ
any more but thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
13 of 16
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
רֹא֥וֹת
shall see
H7200
רֹא֥וֹת
shall see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
14 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Cross References
Psalms 80:5Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.1 Kings 22:27And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.Acts 14:22Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.Psalms 127:2It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.Psalms 74:9We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.Psalms 30:5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.Psalms 102:9For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,Deuteronomy 16:3Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
Historical Context
During the exile, Israel lost access to temple worship and normal religious instruction. False prophets had silenced true teachers (Isaiah 30:10-11). This promise assured that after judgment, true spiritual instruction would be restored. Historically, this came through Ezra's teaching ministry (Nehemiah 8), but ultimately through Christ, the Teacher, and the Spirit's illumination.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God used 'bread of adversity' to prepare you for clearer spiritual vision?
- What false teachers have you allowed to be 'in the corner' while ignoring God's true instruction?
- In what ways do you experience God as your direct Teacher through the Holy Spirit?
Analysis & Commentary
Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction (לֶחֶם צָר וּמַיִם לָחַץ/lechem tzar umayim lachatz)—Bread and water were prison rations (1 Kings 22:27), the bare minimum for survival. Tzar means distress, narrow straits; lachatz means oppression, pressure. God permits affliction as discipline, not abandonment—the exile is coming, but it serves redemptive purposes.
Yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more—The Hebrew moreka (מוֹרֶיךָ) is singular: "your Teacher," possibly referring to God himself as Israel's instructor, or to prophets/priests. They will no longer be hidden or silenced. But thine eyes shall see thy teachers—direct access to divine instruction returns. This anticipates the New Covenant promise: "they shall all know me" (Jeremiah 31:34) and the Spirit as teacher (John 14:26).