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Isaiah 30:21

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 30:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and 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.
Isaiah 30:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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;
24the oxen likewise and the young asses that till the ground shall eat savory provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fork.
← Isaiah 30:20Isaiah 30:22 →
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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 thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, &c.] Which may be said in reference to the backsliding and declining state of the people, (<233011>Isaiah 30:11) and is thought by some to be an allusion to schoolmasters, who stand behind their scholars, or at their backs, to guide, teach, and instruct them; and by others to shepherds following their flocks, who, when they observe any of the sheep going out of the way, call them back; or to travellers, who, coming to a place where are several ways, and being at a loss which way to take, and inclining to turn to the right or left, are called to by persons behind them, and directed in the right way. This “voice behind” is by the Jewsf612…”
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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
“word--conscience, guided by the Holy Spirit (Joh 16:13).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Shall hear - Thou shalt hear the voice of God's word and spirit. Behind thee - A metaphor borrowed from shepherds, who use to follow their sheep, and recall them when they go out of the way. Isaiah 30:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“30:21 The people’s own ears will hear and follow God’s instructions (see 6:9-10; 29:18; 35:5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thine ears: Isa 35:8, Isa 35:9, Isa 42:16, Isa 48:17, Isa 58:11; Psa 25:8, Psa 25:9, Psa 143:8-10; Pro 3:5, Pro 3:6; Jer 6:16; Jo1 2:20, Jo1 2:27 when ye turn to the right: Deu 5:32; Jos 1:7, Jos 23:6; Kg2 22:2; Psa 32:8; Pro 4:27 Isaiah 30:22”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification