Isaiah 30:21
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Original Language Analysis
וְאָזְנֶ֙יךָ֙
And thine ears
H241
וְאָזְנֶ֙יךָ֙
And thine ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
1 of 13
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
תִּשְׁמַ֣עְנָה
shall hear
H8085
תִּשְׁמַ֣עְנָה
shall hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
דָבָ֔ר
a word
H1697
דָבָ֔ר
a word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
3 of 13
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מֵֽאַחֲרֶ֖יךָ
behind
H310
מֵֽאַחֲרֶ֖יךָ
behind
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙
This is the way
H1870
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙
This is the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
7 of 13
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לְכ֣וּ
walk ye in it
H3212
לְכ֣וּ
walk ye in it
Strong's:
H3212
Word #:
8 of 13
to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַאֲמִ֖ינוּ
when ye turn to the right hand
H541
תַאֲמִ֖ינוּ
when ye turn to the right hand
Strong's:
H541
Word #:
11 of 13
to take the right hand road
Cross References
Psalms 32:8I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.Isaiah 58:11And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.Isaiah 42:16And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.Deuteronomy 5:32Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.Jeremiah 6:16Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.Isaiah 48:17Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.Joshua 1:7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.Proverbs 4:27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.Isaiah 29:24They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.2 Kings 22:2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
Historical Context
Isaiah 30 addresses Judah's rebellion in seeking Egypt's help against Assyria (circa 705 BC) rather than trusting YHWH. Verses 19-26 promise restoration after judgment—God will become their Teacher again (v. 20). This verse promises intimate divine guidance during the coming return from exile, contrasting their current political deafness to God's counsel.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual 'deviations' in your life need the correcting voice of God speaking 'behind' you?
- How does God's promise to guide 'when ye turn' demonstrate both His patience with our wandering and His commitment to keep us on His path?
Analysis & Commentary
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee—the divine voice of guidance comes from behind, suggesting God's sovereign oversight of our path, not merely leading ahead but correcting from our past missteps. The Hebrew dabār (דָּבָר) means 'word' but carries the weight of divine decree and promise.
This is the way, walk ye in it (זֶה הַדֶּרֶךְ לְכוּ־בוֹ)—God's derek (way/path) is singular and definite. The imperative lekû (walk!) calls for active obedience. When ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left—human tendency to deviate is met with continual divine redirection. This is covenant faithfulness: God doesn't abandon His wayward people but provides persistent guidance. Paul echoes this in Philippians 2:13, 'it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do.'