BibleWord.ai› Bible› Isaiah› Chapter 30› Verse 20

Isaiah 30:20

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 30:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be hidden anymore, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be hidden anymore, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers;
Isaiah 30:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17One thousand [shall flee] at the threat of one; at the threat of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on a hill.
18And therefore will Jehovah wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for Jehovah is a God of justice; blessed are all they that wait for him.
19For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; thou shalt weep no more; he will surely be gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear, he will answer thee.
20And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be hidden anymore, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers;
21and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it; when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
22And ye shall defile the overlaying of thy graven images of silver, and the plating of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as an unclean thing; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.
23And he will give the rain for thy seed, wherewith thou shalt sow the ground; and bread of the increase of the ground, and it shall be fat and plenteous. In that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures;
← Isaiah 30:19Isaiah 30:21 →
← Full Chapter 30 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And [though] the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, &c.] Either at this present time, when the city was besieged by Sennacherib; or when it should be besieged by the Chaldeans, when adversity was their bread, and affliction their water; or when they had only bread and water in their adversity and affliction; or a famine of bread and water, as is common in times of a siege. It may refer to the poor, and mean, and afflicted state of the people of God, in the first times of the Gospel especially: yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more; or, “thy rain”f609, as some interpret it; one and the same word signifies both rain and a teacher, because…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Rather, "The Lord will give"; the "though" is not in the original. bread of adversity--He will not deny you food enough to save you in your adversity (Kg1 22:27; Psa 127:2). be removed--rather, "hide themselves"; they shall no more be forced to hide themselves from persecution, but shall be openly received with reverence [MAURER]. Contrast with this Psa 74:9; Amo 8:11.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“30:20 adversity for food and suffering for drink: A city under enemy siege for a long time would eventually be overcome by starvation and disease. God did not intend that this disaster should destroy the people of Jerusalem, rather that it would be a tool to teach them.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the bread: Deu 16:3; Kg1 22:27; Ch2 18:26; Psa 30:5, Psa 80:5, Psa 102:9, Psa 127:2; Eze 4:13-17, Eze 24:22, Eze 24:23; Act 14:22 affliction: or, oppression yet shall: Psa 74:9; Amo 8:11, Amo 8:12; Mat 9:38; Eph 4:11 Isaiah 30:21”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Isaiah 30 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification