Isaiah 30:9
That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַ֤ם
people
H5971
עַ֤ם
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מְרִי֙
That this is a rebellious
H4805
מְרִי֙
That this is a rebellious
Strong's:
H4805
Word #:
3 of 12
bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious
ה֔וּא
H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 12
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
בָּנִ֕ים
children
H1121
בָּנִ֕ים
children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָּנִ֕ים
children
H1121
בָּנִ֕ים
children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָב֥וּ
that will
H14
אָב֥וּ
that will
Strong's:
H14
Word #:
9 of 12
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
שְׁמ֖וֹעַ
not hear
H8085
שְׁמ֖וֹעַ
not hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
10 of 12
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Cross References
Isaiah 30:1Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Isaiah 1:4Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.Proverbs 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.Zephaniah 3:2She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
Historical Context
"Rebellious people" echoes Israel's history from wilderness wandering (Numbers 20:10—Moses called them "rebels") through judges period ("every man did what was right in his own eyes") to divided kingdom. Prophets repeatedly confronted this refusal to hear God's word (Jeremiah 6:10; Ezekiel 3:7). The specific rebellion here is rejecting Isaiah's prophetic counsel about Egyptian alliance. More broadly, it represents Israel's perennial pattern: hearing God's law, knowing His will, yet choosing their own way. This rebellion would ultimately lead to Babylonian exile (586 BCE)—the ultimate consequence of refusing to hear the law of the LORD.
Questions for Reflection
- How do people today act as 'lying children'—professing faith in God while trusting worldly securities?
- What does it mean to 'not hear the law of the LORD'—to know God's word but refuse to obey it?
- In what areas are you 'rebellious,' knowing God's will but choosing your own way?
Analysis & Commentary
That this is a rebellious people, lying children (כִּי עַם מְרִי הוּא בָּנִים כֹּחֲשִׁים/ki am meri hu banim kochasim)—God's verdict on Judah. Meri means rebellion, contumacy (from marah, to rebel). Kochasim means lying, deceitful, false. They're not just mistaken but dishonest—professing loyalty to God while trusting Egypt, claiming faith while practicing functional atheism.
Children that will not hear the law of the LORD (בָּנִים לֹא־אָבוּא שְׁמוֹעַ תּוֹרַת יְהוָה/banim lo-avu shmo'a torat Yahweh)—Lo-avu means "not willing, refuse"—volitional rejection, not inability. Shmo'a means hear/obey (Hebrew doesn't distinguish—hearing implies obeying). Torat Yahweh is Yahweh's instruction/law. They refuse to listen to God's word through prophets. This is covenant rebellion: sons who won't hear their Father's voice, students who reject their Teacher's instruction, subjects who defy their King's commands.