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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 30:16 "No," you say, "we will flee on horses." Therefore you will flee! "We will ride swift horses," but your pursuers will be faster.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/30-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/23_Isa_30_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 30:16 - The Worthless Treaty with Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="No, you say, we will flee on horses. Therefore you will flee! 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You said, &#8216We will ride off on swift horses.&#8217 Therefore your pursuers will be swift!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/30.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/30.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and you said, “No! We will flee upon horses”; therefore you shall flee away; and, “We will ride upon swift steeds”; therefore your pursuers shall be swift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/30.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/30.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/30.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses”— Therefore you shall flee! And, “We will ride on swift <i>horses</i>”— Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/30.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses!” Therefore you shall flee! “And we will ride on swift <i>horses!</i>” Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/30.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And you said, &#8220No, for we will flee on horses,&#8221 Therefore you shall flee! &#8220And we will ride on swift horses,&#8221 Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/30.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses,” Therefore you shall flee! “And we will ride on swift <i>horses,</i>” Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/30.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses,” Therefore you shall flee! “And we will ride on swift <i>horses</i>,” Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/30.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And you said, “No! We will flee on horses!” Therefore you will flee [from your enemies]! And [you said], “We will ride on swift horses!” Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/30.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You say, “No! We will escape on horses” — therefore you will escape! — and, “We will ride on fast horses” — but those who pursue you will be faster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/30.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You say, &#8220No! We will escape on horses"— therefore you will escape!— and, &#8220We will ride on fast horses"— but those who pursue you will be faster. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/30.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/30.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />said, "No! We will safely escape on speedy horses." But those who chase you will be even faster. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/30.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/30.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You've said, "No, we'll flee on horses." So you flee. You've added, "We'll ride on fast horses." So those who chase you will also be fast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/30.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Instead, you plan to escape from your enemies by riding fast horses. And you are right--escape is what you will have to do! You think your horses are fast enough, but those who pursue you will be faster! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/30.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Instead, you said, 'No! We'll escape on horses!' Therefore, you'll flee away. And you said, 'We'll ride off on swift steeds!' Therefore your pursuers will be swift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/30.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You say, 'No, we will flee on horses,' so you will indeed flee. You say, 'We will ride on fast horses,' so your pursuers will be fast. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/30.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/30.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/30.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/30.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/30.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you say, “No, for we flee on a horse,” "" Therefore you flee, "" And, “We ride on the swift!” Therefore your pursuers are swift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/30.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And ye say, No, for on a horse we flee? Therefore ye flee, And on the swift we ride! Therefore swift are your pursuers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/30.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And ye will say, No; for upon horses we will flee: for this ye shall flee: and upon the swift will we ride; for this they pursuing you shall be swift.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/30.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But have said: No, but we will flee to horses: therefore shall you flee. And we will mount upon swift ones: therefore shall they be swifter that shall pursue after you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/30.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And you have said: “Never! Instead, we will flee by horseback.” For this reason, you will be put to flight. And you have said, “We will climb upon swift ones.” For this reason, those who pursue you will be even swifter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/30.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“No,” you said, “Upon horses we will flee.” Very well, you shall flee! “Upon swift steeds we will ride.” Very well, swift shall be your pursuers! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/30.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and said, “No! We will flee upon horses”— therefore you shall flee! and, “We will ride upon swift steeds”— therefore your pursuers shall be swift!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/30.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But you said, Not so, for we will ride upon horses, and will flee upon swift ones; therefore you shall flee, and your pursuers shall be swift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/30.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you said: “Not so! We shall ride on horses and upon swift ones we shall escape!” Because of this, you shall flee, and your pursuers shall be swift ones<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/30.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/30.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />but ye said, We will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will be aided by swift riders; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/30-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=6311" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/30.htm">The Worthless Treaty with Egypt</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>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.” <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“No,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">you say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: ḵî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: nā·nūs (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">we will flee</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/5483.htm" title="5483: sūs (N-ms) -- A swallow, swift (type of bird). Or cuc; from an unused root meaning to skip; a horse; also a swallow.">horses.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">Therefore</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: tə·nū·sūn (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">you will flee!</a> <a href="/hebrew/7392.htm" title="7392: nir·kāḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To mount and ride, ride. A primitive root; to ride; causatively, to place upon, to despatch.">“We will ride</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7031.htm" title="7031: qal (Adj-ms) -- Light, swift, fleet. Contracted from qalal; light; rapid.">swift horses,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: rō·ḏə·p̄ê·ḵem (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 2mp) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">but your pursuers</a> <a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: yiq·qal·lū (V-Nifal-Imperf-3mp) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">will be faster.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-25.htm">Jeremiah 2:25</a></span><br />You should have kept your feet from going bare and your throat from being thirsty. But you said, ‘It is hopeless! For I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/14-3.htm">Hosea 14:3</a></span><br />Assyria will not save us, nor will we ride on horses. We will never again say, ‘Our gods!’ to the work of our own hands. For in You the fatherless find compassion.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-16.htm">Deuteronomy 17:16</a></span><br />But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/20-7.htm">Psalm 20:7</a></span><br />Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Isaiah 31:1</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-29.htm">Jeremiah 4:29</a></span><br />Every city flees at the sound of the horseman and archer. They enter the thickets and climb among the rocks. Every city is abandoned; no inhabitant is left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/7-11.htm">Hosea 7:11</a></span><br />So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/18-21.htm">2 Kings 18:21</a></span><br />Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/17-15.htm">Ezekiel 17:15</a></span><br />But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/36-6.htm">Isaiah 36:6</a></span><br />Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/46-6.htm">Jeremiah 46:6</a></span><br />“The swift cannot flee, and the warrior cannot escape! In the north by the River Euphrates they stumble and fall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-17.htm">Lamentations 4:17</a></span><br />All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-10.htm">Isaiah 57:10</a></span><br />You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But you said, No; for we will flee on horses; therefore shall you flee: and, We will ride on the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.</p><p class="hdg">for we will</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-26.htm">Isaiah 5:26-30</a></b></br> And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/10-28.htm">Isaiah 10:28-32</a></b></br> He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Isaiah 31:1</a></b></br> Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because <i>they are</i> many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!</p><p class="hdg">therefore</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-49.htm">Deuteronomy 28:49</a></b></br> The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, <i>as swift</i> as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Jeremiah 4:13</a></b></br> Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots <i>shall be</i> as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/4-19.htm">Lamentations 4:19</a></b></br> Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/20-4.htm">Backs</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-6.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-15.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-18.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/songs/1-9.htm">Horse</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-28.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/psalms/142-6.htm">Pursuers</a> <a href="/esther/8-14.htm">Quick-Running</a> <a href="/psalms/66-12.htm">Ride</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-26.htm">Speed</a> <a href="/esther/8-14.htm">Steeds</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-1.htm">Swift</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/46-7.htm">Backs</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-14.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-17.htm">Horse</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-1.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-18.htm">Pursuers</a> <a href="/micah/1-13.htm">Quick-Running</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-21.htm">Ride</a> <a href="/acts/17-15.htm">Speed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-4.htm">Steeds</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-14.htm">Swift</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 30</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">The prophet threatens the people for their confidence in Egypt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">And contempt of God's word</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/30-18.htm">God's mercies toward his church</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/30-27.htm">God's wrath and the people's joy, in the destruction of Assyria</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/30.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/30.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.”</b><br>This phrase reflects the Israelites' reliance on their own strength and military alliances rather than trusting in God. In the historical context, Judah sought alliances with Egypt for military support against Assyria, contrary to God's command to rely on Him alone. Horses were symbols of military power and speed, often associated with Egypt, which was known for its chariots and cavalry. This decision to flee on horses indicates a lack of faith and a desire to escape rather than confront their spiritual shortcomings.<p><b>Therefore you will flee!</b><br>This is a prophetic declaration of the consequences of their decision. The emphasis is on the inevitability of their flight, not as a strategic retreat but as a result of their disobedience. The use of "therefore" connects their choice directly to the outcome, highlighting the principle of sowing and reaping found throughout Scripture. This reflects the broader biblical theme that reliance on human strength leads to failure, as seen in other passages like <a href="/jeremiah/17-5.htm">Jeremiah 17:5-6</a>.<p><b>“We will ride swift horses,”</b><br>The desire for swift horses underscores the urgency and desperation of the people to escape their predicament. Swift horses symbolize a false sense of security and self-reliance. In the ancient Near East, speed in battle was crucial, and swift horses were highly valued. This reflects a cultural tendency to trust in visible, tangible means of deliverance rather than in God's unseen power. The irony is that their pursuit of speed and escape will not lead to safety.<p><b>but your pursuers will be faster.</b><br>This phrase serves as a stark warning that human efforts are futile against God's sovereign plans. The pursuers, likely the Assyrians, are depicted as being faster, indicating that no human strategy can outpace divine judgment. This echoes the biblical truth that God's ways and plans are higher than human understanding (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>). It also serves as a reminder of the futility of opposing God's will, as seen in other biblical narratives where human plans are thwarted by divine intervention.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book. He served as a prophet in Judah during the reigns of several kings, warning them of the consequences of their disobedience to God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which often found itself in political and military turmoil due to its disobedience to God. In this context, Judah is seeking alliances with Egypt rather than relying on God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>A powerful nation to the south of Judah. The people of Judah were tempted to rely on Egypt for military support against Assyrian threats, rather than trusting in God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/assyria.htm">Assyria</a></b><br>A dominant empire during Isaiah's time, posing a significant threat to Judah. The fear of Assyrian invasion led Judah to seek alliances with other nations.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/horses.htm">Horses</a></b><br>Symbolic of military strength and speed. In this verse, horses represent Judah's misplaced trust in military power and human alliances instead of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/m/misplaced_trust.htm">Misplaced Trust</a></b><br>The people of Judah placed their trust in military alliances and swift horses rather than in God. This serves as a reminder to evaluate where we place our trust today—whether in our own abilities, resources, or in God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Judah's decision to rely on Egypt instead of God led to their downfall. Disobedience to God's guidance often results in negative consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite human plans and efforts, God's will prevails. We must align our plans with His purposes and trust in His sovereignty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_return.htm">Repentance and Return</a></b><br>The broader context of <a href="/bsb/isaiah/30.htm">Isaiah 30</a> calls for repentance and returning to God. This is a timeless call for believers to turn back to God when they have strayed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_over_fear.htm">Faith Over Fear</a></b><br>In times of fear and uncertainty, like Judah facing Assyria, we are called to place our faith in God rather than succumbing to fear and seeking worldly solutions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_30.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 30</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_pneumatology.htm">What is Pneumatology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_400_men_escape_on_camels.htm">How did only 400 men escape on camels if David and his men fought so extensively (1 Samuel 30:17)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_33_16_align_with_righteous_suffering.htm">How does the promise of safety in Isaiah 33:16 align with observable instances of righteous people facing disaster historically?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_isaiah_31_with_god's_use_of_pagan_nations.htm">How do we reconcile Isaiah 31's call to trust God over foreign alliances with other passages where God uses pagan nations for His purposes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/30.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">We will flee upon horses.</span>--These were expected as the Egyptian contingent of the forces of Judah. With them and the prestige attaching to their fame, the generals and statesmen reckoned on being able to resist Assyria. Isaiah, with his keen insight into the present temper of Egypt, tells them that the only use of the horses will be for a more rapid retreat, not for the charge of battle.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/30.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses</span>; rather, <span class="accented">we will fly upon horses</span>. The nobles had perhaps a manly eagerness to mount the Egyptian war-horses, and rush upon the enemy at full speed, in the hope of discomfiting them. Isaiah warns them that they will not really <span class="accented">fig on</span> the enemy, but <span class="accented">flee before</span> him. <span class="cmt_word">We will ride upon the swift</span>. "The swift" (kal) seems to be a mere variant for "horse," the parallelism being, as so frequently, "synonymous." <span class="cmt_word">Therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.</span> However swift the horses of the Judaeans, their enemies would be as well mounted and would pursue and overtake them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/30-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“No,”</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you say,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֹּ֨אמְר֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“we will flee</span><br /><span class="heb">נָנ֖וּס</span> <span class="translit">(nā·nūs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">horses.”</span><br /><span class="heb">ס֥וּס</span> <span class="translit">(sūs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5483.htm">Strong's 5483: </a> </span><span class="str2">A swallow, swift (type of bird)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Therefore</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will flee!</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּנוּס֑וּן</span> <span class="translit">(tə·nū·sūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“We will ride</span><br /><span class="heb">נִרְכָּ֔ב</span> <span class="translit">(nir·kāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7392.htm">Strong's 7392: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ride, to place upon, to despatch</span><br /><br /><span class="word">swift horses,”</span><br /><span class="heb">קַ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(qal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7031.htm">Strong's 7031: </a> </span><span class="str2">Light, swift, fleet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but your pursuers</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹדְפֵיכֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(rō·ḏə·p̄ê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be faster.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִקַּ֥לּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·qal·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slight, swift or trifling</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/30-16.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 30:16 But you said No for we will (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/30-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 30:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 30:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 30:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 30:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>