Keraia
Isaiah 30

Isaiah 30:6

The Worthless Treaty with Egypt · Isaiah 30:1–17
Read Isaiah 30

Translations

Modern
This is the burden against the beasts of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them.
Traditional
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.
Literal
The burden of the beasts of the Negev: In a land of distress and anguish, from which came lioness and lion, the flying viper and serpent, they carry their riches on the shoulder of donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them,
Latin
Onus jumentorum austri. In terra tribulationis et angustiæ leæna, et leo ex eis, vipera et regulus volans; portantes super humeros jumentorum divitias suas, et super gibbum camelorum thesauros suos, ad populum qui eis prodesse non poterit.

Original

Hebrew
English
This is the burden against the beasts of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them.

Notes

Isaiah 30:6

  • Caravans traveled from Judah through the Negev and the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. They avoided the main road along the coast because Assyria controlled it.

    This desert region was dangerous. Lions and poisonous snakes lived there. The journey put people’s lives at risk. Yet they were willing to face this danger to form an alliance that would not help them.

  • they carry their wealth … and their treasures: This may refer to money and valuable goods that Judah sent to Egypt. They likely sent these riches to pay for Egypt’s protection and support.

Isaiah 30:6–7

This taunt was against those who were busy trying to please the Egyptians in order to get Egypt’s military support.

Isaiah 30:1–33

After warning Judah of judgment due to their stubbornness and reliance on Egypt (Isaiah 30:1–17), God promised to show compassion to his people and defeat their enemies.

Events

Places

Negeb: The southern region of Israel, a semi-arid area

Glossary

Alliance Asp Dabbesheth Isaiah, Book of

Topics

Animals: Beasts Symbolical Camel: Uses of for Carrying Burdens Donkey: Domesticated: Carrying Burdens Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Reptiles: Flying Fiery Serpent Serpent: Figurative The Camel: Characterised by The Bunches on Its Back the Domestic Donkey was Used in Agriculture the Domestic Donkey: Young, Most Valued for Labour The Lion: Inhabits: Deserts Viper: A Serpent