The Meaning of Isaiah 30:9 Explained

Isaiah 30:9

KJV: That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

YLT: That a rebellious people is this, sons -- liars, Sons not willing to hear the law of Jehovah.

Darby: that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Jehovah;

ASV: For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Jehovah;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

That this [is] a rebellious  people,  lying  children,  children  [that] will  not hear  the law  of the LORD: 

What does Isaiah 30:9 Mean?

Verse Meaning

These records were necessary because Israel had proved to be a rebellious, disappointing son of God who refused to listen to His instruction (Heb. torah). This is a general indictment.

Context Summary

Isaiah 30:1-17 - Fatal Reliance On Human Aid
Toward the close of the 8th century, b.c. Jerusalem sent ambassadors to seek help from Egypt against Assyria, in distinct defiance of God's repeated warnings. Isaiah denounced this as adding sin to sin. Even though their princes reached Zoan and Hanes, capital cities, and succeeded in their object, it would not help them. The beasts of burden might traverse the deserts with presents and bribes, but all would be in vain. These truths, however, were unpalatable, and the politicians endeavored to silence the prophet, Isaiah 30:9-11. All sin recoils on the sinner. At first his efforts seem to protect him, but soon the wall begins to bulge, then it totters, finally it falls. The true policy, urged by Isaiah in Isaiah 30:15, would be to renounce these efforts for Egyptian help and return to rest in the loving care of God. In returning and rest they would be saved! Oh, that we were more quiet and calm in the face of danger, hushing our fears, stilling our throbbing hearts, and leaning back on the everlasting arms! God cannot fail you, ye fearful saints. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 30

1  The prophet threatens the people for their confidence in Egypt
8  And contempt of God's word
18  God's mercies toward his church
27  God's wrath and the people's joy, in the destruction of Assyria

What do the individual words in Isaiah 30:9 mean?

that a people rebellious it [is] children Lying Children not [who] will hear the law of Yahweh
כִּ֣י עַ֤ם מְרִי֙ ה֔וּא בָּנִ֖ים כֶּחָשִׁ֑ים בָּנִ֕ים לֹֽא־ אָב֥וּ שְׁמ֖וֹעַ תּוֹרַ֥ת יְהוָֽה

כִּ֣י  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
עַ֤ם  a  people 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
מְרִי֙  rebellious 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מְרִי  
Sense: rebellion.
ה֔וּא  it  [is] 
Parse: Pronoun, third person masculine singular
Root: הוּא 
Sense: he, she, it.
בָּנִ֖ים  children 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
כֶּחָשִׁ֑ים  Lying 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: כֶּחָשׁ  
Sense: deceitful, false, deceptive, lying.
בָּנִ֕ים  Children 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
אָב֥וּ  [who]  will 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: אָבָה  
Sense: to be willing, consent.
שְׁמ֖וֹעַ  hear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
תּוֹרַ֥ת  the  law 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: תֹּורָה  
Sense: law, direction, instruction.
יְהוָֽה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.