Isaiah 30:10

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 30:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits,
Isaiah 30:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Which say to the seers, See not, &c.] The same with the prophets in the next clause, which explains this: and to the Prophets, prophesy not unto us right things; things agreeable to the mind and will of God, and which ought to be done; not that they, in so many words, said this, but this was the language of their hearts and actions. The Targum is, “who say to the prophets, prophesy not, and to the teachers, teach us not the doctrine of the law:” speak unto us smooth things; that peace and prosperity should attend them, though they went on in their sinful courses: prophesy deceits; for to prophesy peace to them, when destruction was at hand, was to deceive them; and yet they chose rather to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Mic 2:6, Mic 2:11; Mic 3:5). See not--as you now do, foretelling misfortune. Prophesy not . . . right things--Not that they avowedly requested this, but their conduct virtually expressed it. No man, professedly, wished to be deceived; but many seek a kind of teaching which is deceit; and which, if they would examine, they might know to be such (Kg1 22:13). The Jews desired success to be foretold as the issue of their league with Egypt, though ill had been announced by God's prophet as the result; this constituted the "deceits."”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“say: Kg1 21:20; Ch2 16:10, 18:7-27, Ch2 24:19-21, Ch2 25:16; Jer 5:31, Jer 11:21; Jer 26:11, Jer 26:20-23, Jer 29:27, Jer 38:4; Amo 2:12, Amo 7:13; Mic 2:6; Act 4:17, Act 5:28; Th1 2:15, Th1 2:16; Rev 11:7 speak: Kg1 22:8-13, Kg1 22:27; Jer 6:13, Jer 6:14, Jer 8:10, Jer 8:11, Jer 23:17, Jer 23:26-29; Eze 13:7-10; Eze 13:18-22; Mic 2:11; Joh 7:7, Joh 8:45; Rom 16:18; Gal 4:16 Isaiah 30:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification