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

ISAIAH 30:9KJV
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Isaiah 30:9 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 30:9 mean?

Isaiah 30:9 describes the people of Israel as rebellious and dishonest, calling them children who refuse to listen to the law of the LORD. The verse points out their stubbornness and unwillingness to accept God's instruction.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking about the people of Judah during a time when they were turning away from God and seeking help from other nations instead of trusting Him. Isaiah is highlighting their attitude: they are not just making mistakes, but are actively rejecting what God has told them, ignoring the teachings and guidance that were meant for their good.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 30:9

  • "rebellious" (סָרָר sārār): This word means stubborn or defiant, not just disobedient. It paints a picture of people who are set in their ways and refuse to be corrected.
  • "lying" (כַּחַשׁ kaḥash): This word means deceitful or untruthful. It shows that the people's rejection of God's law is not just about actions, but also about a lack of honesty in their hearts.
  • "law" (תּוֹרָה torah): This word refers to instruction or teaching, not just legal rules. Here, it emphasizes that what the people are rejecting is God's guidance for living, not just a set of commands.

Why Isaiah 30:9 matters

  • Isaiah 30:9 makes it clear that the issue is not ignorance, but a willful refusal to listen to God's instruction, which helps explain the seriousness of God's warning in this chapter.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Isaiah 30, where the people are seeking solutions apart from God, showing that their problem is rooted in their attitude toward God's word.
  • Understanding the words for "rebellious" and "lying" highlights that the problem is both in their actions and their hearts, deepening the sense of how far they have strayed.

Where else these words appear

“rebellious” Hebrew H4805 · used in 21 verses

  • Numbers 17:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.
  • Ezekiel 2:5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear,(for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
  • Ezekiel 12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.

“will” Hebrew H14 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 24:5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
  • 1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 10:4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.