Isaiah 30:7
For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.
Original Language Analysis
וּמִצְרַ֕יִם
For the Egyptians
H4714
וּמִצְרַ֕יִם
For the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
1 of 10
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
הֶ֥בֶל
in vain
H1892
הֶ֥בֶל
in vain
Strong's:
H1892
Word #:
2 of 10
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
וָרִ֖יק
and to no purpose
H7385
וָרִ֖יק
and to no purpose
Strong's:
H7385
Word #:
3 of 10
emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
לָכֵן֙
H3651
לָכֵן֙
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
קָרָ֣אתִי
therefore have I cried
H7121
קָרָ֣אתִי
therefore have I cried
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
6 of 10
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Isaiah 7:4And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.Isaiah 2:22Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?Exodus 14:13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.Hosea 5:13When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.Lamentations 3:26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Historical Context
"Rahab" as Egypt's nickname appears in prophetic literature (Psalm 87:4; Isaiah 51:9). It evokes Egypt's mythological chaos monster, suggesting Egypt is all roar and no substance—fearsome reputation but impotent reality. History proved Isaiah right: Egypt's military aid against Assyria was indeed "vain and to no purpose." Tirhakah's forces couldn't stop Sennacherib. Only divine intervention (Isaiah 37:36) delivered Judah. The irony is sharp: Judah exhausted itself securing Egyptian help that accomplished nothing, while the help they rejected (Yahweh's) was freely available and actually effective.
Questions for Reflection
- How do impressive-looking helps (wealth, connections, abilities) often prove to be 'vain and to no purpose' when tested?
- What does it mean that true 'strength is to sit still'—to trust God quietly rather than frantically securing human helps?
- How does the 'Rahab' imagery (chaos monster, all noise and no substance) describe modern securities we trust?
Analysis & Commentary
For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose (וּמִצְרַיִם הֶבֶל וָרִיק יַעְזֹרוּ/umitsrayim hevel variq ya'zoru)—Double emphasis on worthlessness: hevel (vanity, vapor, nothingness—same word in Ecclesiastes "vanity of vanities") and riq (emptiness, void). Their help is vapor—insubstantial, disappearing, worthless. The verb ya'zoru (they help) is ironic: they "help" but it's vain and empty.
Therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still (לָכֵן קָרָאתִי לָזֹאת רַהַב הֵם שָׁבֶת/lakhen qarati lazot rahav hem shabet)—Difficult Hebrew, variously translated. Rahav typically means "Rahab," a poetic name for Egypt (also sea monster representing chaos—Psalm 87:4; 89:10). "Their strength is to sit still" (hem shabet) could mean Egypt's true strength is inaction (they talk big but do nothing) or Judah's best strategy is sitting still (trusting God rather than Egypt). The wordplay suggests both: Egypt's strength is mere boasting without action; Judah's strength would be quiet trust (verse 15: "in returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength").