Isaiah 30:16

Faith

¹⁴ It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.”

¹⁵ For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence— but you were not willing.”

“No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.

¹⁷ A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee, until you are left alone like a pole on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.

¹⁸ Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: “No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.
KJV: But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
WEB: but you said, “No, for we will flee on horses;” therefore you will flee; and, “We will ride on the swift;” therefore those who pursue you will be swift.
ASV: but ye said, No, for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
DARBY: And ye said, No, but we will flee upon horses, therefore shall ye flee; and, We will ride upon the swift, therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
BLB: and you⁺ said, “No,” for we will flee on horses.” Therefore you⁺ will flee—“For we will ride on swift ones.” (upon thus, those pursuing you⁺ will be swift.)

ÅB: Dere sa: Nei, på hester vil vi fly - derfor skal dere flykte - og på rappføtte dyr vil vi ride - derfor skal deres forfølgere være rappe.
OTB: Dere sa, 'Nei, vi vil flykte på hester.' Derfor skal dere flykte! Dere sa, 'Vi vil ri på raske hester.' Derfor skal deres forfølgere være raske!
B1930: I sa: Nei, på hester vil vi flyve - derfor skal I flykte - og på rappføtte dyr vil vi ride - derfor skal eders forfølgere være rappe.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.
Read in context
Deuteronomy 28:25
The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will march out against them in one direction but flee from them in seven. You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.
Read in context
Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!
Read in context
Amos 9:1
I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape.
Read in context
Psalms 33:17
A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.
Read in context
Isaiah 31:3
But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.
Read in context
Isaiah 10:28–32
Assyria has entered Aiath and passed through Migron, storing their supplies at Michmash.
Read in context
Psalms 147:10
He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man.
Read in context