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Isaiah 30:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 30:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For their princes are at Zoan, and their ambassadors are come to Hanes.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For their princes are at Zoan, and their ambassadors are come to Hanes.
Isaiah 30:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Woe to the rebellious children, saith Jehovah, that take counsel, but not of me; and that make a league, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin,
2that set out to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt!
3Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
4For their princes are at Zoan, and their ambassadors are come to Hanes.
5They shall all be ashamed because of a people that cannot profit them, that are not a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
6The burden of the beasts of the South. Through the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the lioness and the lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the humps of camels, to a people that shall not profit [them].
7For Egypt helpeth in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I called her Rahab that sitteth still.
← Isaiah 30:3Isaiah 30:5 →
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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
“For his princes were at Zoan, &c.] That is, the princes of the king of Judah, or of the people of Judah; though it can hardly be thought that princes should be sent ambassadors into Egypt, to enter into an alliance, or request help, without the knowledge, leave, and consent, and indeed order, of the king, under which character they went, as appears from the following clause: and his ambassadors came to Hanes; these are the same with the princes, for such were sent on this embassy, both for the honour of the kingdom, and for the more easy obtaining of their end; the two places mentioned, to which they went, were two principal cities in Egypt, where probably the king of Egypt was, and his…”
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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
“his--Judah's (compare Isa 9:21). at Zoan--are already arrived there on their errand to Pharaoh (see Isa 19:11). came to Hanes--are come there. West of the Nile, in central Egypt: Egyptian Hnes; the Greek Heracleopolis: perhaps the Anysis of HERODOTUS (2.137); according to GROTIUS, Tahpanhes contracted (Jer 43:7-9); the seat of a reigning prince at the time, as was Zoan, hence the Jewish ambassadors go to both.”
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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
“His princes - The princes of Judah. Hanes - An eminent city of Egypt. Isaiah 30:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“30:4 Zoan: See 19:11. The location of Hanes is uncertain.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“his princes: Isa 57:9; Kg2 17:4; Hos 7:11, Hos 7:12, Hos 7:16 Zoan: Isa 19:11; Num 13:22; Eze 30:14 Hanes: Jer 43:7, Tahpanhes, Eze 30:18, Tehaphnehes Isaiah 30:5”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification