Isaiah 30:30
And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.
Original Language Analysis
וְהִשְׁמִ֨יעַ
to be heard
H8085
וְהִשְׁמִ֨יעַ
to be heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ה֣וֹד
shall cause his glorious
H1935
ה֣וֹד
shall cause his glorious
Strong's:
H1935
Word #:
4 of 17
grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)
וְנַ֤חַת
the lighting down
H5183
וְנַ֤חַת
the lighting down
Strong's:
H5183
Word #:
6 of 17
a descent, i.e., imposition, unfavorable (punishment) or favorable (food)
זְרוֹעוֹ֙
of his arm
H2220
זְרוֹעוֹ֙
of his arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
7 of 17
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
יַרְאֶ֔ה
and shall shew
H7200
יַרְאֶ֔ה
and shall shew
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
8 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אַ֔ף
of his anger
H639
אַ֔ף
of his anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וְלַ֖הַב
and with the flame
H3851
וְלַ֖הַב
and with the flame
Strong's:
H3851
Word #:
11 of 17
a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished blade or point of a weapon
Cross References
Isaiah 29:6Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.Joshua 10:11And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.Revelation 11:19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.Isaiah 28:2Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.Isaiah 32:19When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.Matthew 24:7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.2 Thessalonians 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:Micah 1:4And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern storm-god imagery (Baal, Hadad) depicted deities controlling weather. Israel's prophets co-opted this imagery to emphasize Yahweh's supremacy—He, not Baal, commands storms. Historical fulfillments include Assyrian army's destruction (Isaiah 37:36), but ultimate fulfillment awaits final judgment when God personally appears with fire and storm to judge the earth.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'glorious voice' both save believers (like at Sinai giving law) and destroy rebels?
- What does it mean that God 'weaponizes' natural phenomena—does this challenge or confirm belief in natural law?
- How should awareness of God's control over nature shape Christian environmentalism and responses to natural disasters?
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard (וְהִשְׁמִיעַ יְהוָה אֶת־הוֹד קוֹלוֹ)—The verb hishmi'a (cause to hear) emphasizes God making His voice audible. Hod qolo (majesty/glory of His voice) recalls Sinai where God's voice shook the mountain (Exodus 19:19; Hebrews 12:26). And shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger—The phrase nachath zero'o (descending of His arm) depicts God's arm swinging down in judgment. His za'am apo (indignation of His anger) and lahav esh okelet (flame of devouring fire) accompany this.
With scattering, and tempest, and hailstones—Three weapons: zerem (downpour, flooding), sa'ar (tempest, storm), even barad (hailstones). These recall Egypt's plagues (Exodus 9:18-26) and Joshua's victory where God hurled hailstones on enemies (Joshua 10:11). Revelation 16:21 describes end-times hailstones of 'talent' weight (75 pounds) falling on blasphemers. God weaponizes nature itself—storms that spare His people obliterate His enemies. This demonstrates creation serves its Creator's purposes. He who commands 'peace, be still' (Mark 4:39) also commands storms to destroy. Nature isn't neutral but responds to God's moral government of the universe.