Isaiah 30:6
The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
Original Language Analysis
מַשָּׂ֖א
The burden
H4853
מַשָּׂ֖א
The burden
Strong's:
H4853
Word #:
1 of 25
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
בַּהֲמ֣וֹת
of the beasts
H929
בַּהֲמ֣וֹת
of the beasts
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
נֶ֑גֶב
of the south
H5045
נֶ֑גֶב
of the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
3 of 25
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
לָבִ֧יא
from whence come the young
H3833
לָבִ֧יא
from whence come the young
Strong's:
H3833
Word #:
7 of 25
a lion (properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;))
וְשָׂרָ֣ף
and fiery
H8314
וְשָׂרָ֣ף
and fiery
Strong's:
H8314
Word #:
11 of 25
burning, i.e., (figuratively) poisonous (serpent); specifically, a saraph or symbolical creature (from their copper color)
מְעוֹפֵ֔ף
flying
H5774
מְעוֹפֵ֔ף
flying
Strong's:
H5774
Word #:
12 of 25
to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)
יִשְׂאוּ֩
they will carry
H5375
יִשְׂאוּ֩
they will carry
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
13 of 25
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֶּ֨תֶף
upon the shoulders
H3802
כֶּ֨תֶף
upon the shoulders
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
15 of 25
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
עֲיָרִ֜ים
of young asses
H5895
עֲיָרִ֜ים
of young asses
Strong's:
H5895
Word #:
16 of 25
properly, a young ass (as just broken to a load); hence an ass-colt
חֵֽילֵהֶ֗ם
their riches
H2428
חֵֽילֵהֶ֗ם
their riches
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
17 of 25
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דַּבֶּ֤שֶׁת
upon the bunches
H1707
דַּבֶּ֤שֶׁת
upon the bunches
Strong's:
H1707
Word #:
19 of 25
a sticky mass, i.e., the hump of a camel
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
22 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַ֖ם
to a people
H5971
עַ֖ם
to a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
23 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Cross References
Deuteronomy 8:15Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;Jeremiah 11:4Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:Deuteronomy 4:20But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.1 Kings 10:2And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
Historical Context
This verse captures the foolish extravagance of Judah's diplomatic mission: endangering lives and exhausting treasures to purchase worthless Egyptian alliance. The Negev's dangers were real—lions inhabited the region until medieval times; venomous snakes remain common. Caravans faced robbery, animal attacks, dehydration. Yet Judah's ambassadors made this perilous journey loaded with tribute (gold, silver, precious goods) to secure Egypt's military support. Isaiah's imagery emphasizes the insanity: risking everything for nothing, paying exorbitant prices for worthless merchandise. This was royal folly—squandering national treasure on an ally who would provide zero benefit.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'treasures' (time, money, energy, reputation) do you risk carrying to worthless sources of help?
- How does the vivid imagery of dangerous journey for worthless destination illustrate the cost of not trusting God?
- In what ways do we endure 'trouble and anguish' pursuing securities that 'shall not profit' us?
Analysis & Commentary
The burden of the beasts of the south (מַשָּׂא בַּהֲמוֹת נֶגֶב/massa bahamot negev)—Massa means oracle/burden/pronouncement. Behamot (beasts) refers to pack animals (donkeys, camels) laden with tribute for Egypt. Negev is the southern desert region between Judah and Egypt—barren, dangerous wilderness.
Into the land of trouble and anguish (בְּאֶרֶץ צָרָה וְצוּקָה/be'erets tsarah vetsuqah)—The Negev characterized as a land of distress (tsarah) and anguish (tsuqah, straits, hardship). From whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent (לָבִיא וָלַיִשׁ מֵהֶם אֶפְעֶה וְשָׂרָף מְעוֹפֵף/lavi valayish mehem ef'eh vesaraf me'ofef)—Catalog of dangers: lions (both lavi and layish, perhaps young and old), vipers (ef'eh, poisonous snakes), and fiery flying serpents (saraf me'ofef). The "fiery serpent" (saraf) appears in Numbers 21:6—venomous snakes whose bite caused burning inflammation. "Flying" may describe their quick strikes or refer to dragon-like imagery. They will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels (יִשְׂאוּ עַל־כֶּתֶף עֲיָרִים חֵילֵם וְעַל־דַּבֶּשֶׁת גְּמַלִּים אֹצְרֹתֵיהֶם/yis'u al-ketef ayarim chelem ve'al-dabbeshet gemalim otsrotehem)—Vivid imagery: wealth loaded on donkeys' shoulders and camels' humps. Chayil means wealth/resources. Otsrot means treasures. All this valuable tribute risked in deadly desert. To a people that shall not profit them (עַל־עַם לֹא יוֹעִילוּ/al-am lo yo'ilu)—Bitter irony: all this danger and expense for a people who cannot help.