(1) Woe to the rebellious children . . .—The interjection perhaps expresses sorrow rather than indignation, Alas, for . . .! as in Isaiah 1:4. The prophet hears that the intrigues of the palace have at last issued in favour of an alliance with Egypt, and that an embassy has been already sent.

That cover with a covering.—Better, that weave a web. The word was fitly chosen then, as now, to describe the subtle intricacies of a double-dealing diplomacy. Some, however, render “form a molten image,” not as referring to actual idolatry, but to the trust in human plans which the prophet condemns.

To the rebellious children - To those whom he had nourished as children, and who had rebelled against him (see the note at Isaiah 1:23).

That take counsel, but not of me - They look to Egypt, and depend on a human arm.

And that cover with a covering - The idea here, according to our translation, is, that they seek protection or a covering from the impending calamity. Lowth renders this, 'Who ratify covenants;' supposing that the reference is to the fact that in ancient times compacts were formed by offering sacrifices, and by pouring out libations. The Hebrew, according to Lowth, means, 'who pour out a libation.' So the Septuagint renders it, Συνθήκας sunthēkas - 'And thou hast made covenants.' The Syriac renders it, 'Who pour out libations.' The Hebrew word נסך nâsak properly conveys the idea of pouring out, and is applied:

(1) to the act of pouring out wine as a drink offering, or as a libation to God Genesis 35:14; Exodus 30:9; 1 Chronicles 11:18; Hosea 9:4;

(2) to the act of pouring out oil, that is, to anointing kings and rulers Psalm 2:6; Daniel 11:8;

(3) to the act of pouring out melted metals, that is, to cast them Isaiah 40:19; Isaiah 44:10.

The word also may have a meaning kindred to סכך sâkak and denote "to cover," as in Isaiah 25:7. Various derivatives from the word are rendered 'to cover withal' Numbers 4:7; 'the covering' Isaiah 28:20; 'the web,' that is, that which is woven for a covering Judges 16:13-14. The idea, however, which best suits the connection here is probably that suggested by Lowth, in accordance with the Septuagint, and the Syriac, and adopted by Rosenmuller, Gesenius, and others, "to make a libation;" that is, to ratify a covenant, or compact.

But not of my Spirit - It was not such as was suggested by his Spirit, and not such as he would approve.

That they may add sin to sin - They add to the sin of rebellion against God that of forming an alliance. Sins do not usually stand alone. When one is committed, it is often necessary to commit others in order to carry out and complete the plan which that contemplated.

Isa 30:1-32. The Thirtieth Through Thirty-second Chapters Refer Probably to the Summer of 714 B.C., AS THE Twenty-ninth Chapter to the Passover of That Year.

Jewish ambassadors were now on their way to Egypt to seek aid against Assyria (Isa 30:2-6, 15; 31:1). Isaiah denounces this reliance on Egypt rather than on Jehovah. God had prohibited such alliances with heathen nations, and it was a leading part of Jewish polity that they should be a separate people (Ex 23:32; De 7:2).

1. take counsel—rather, as Isa 30:4, 6 imply, "execute counsels."

cover … covering—that is, wrap themselves in reliances disloyal towards Jehovah. "Cover" thus answers to "seek to hide deeply their counsel from the Lord" (Isa 29:15). But the Hebrew is literally, "who pour out libations"; as it was by these that leagues were made (Ex 24:8; Zec 9:11), translate, "who make a league."

not of—not suggested by My Spirit" (Nu 27:21; Jos 9:14).

that they may add—The consequence is here spoken of as their intention, so reckless were they of sinning: one sin entails the commission of another (De 29:19).The prophet threateneth the people for their confidence in Egypt, Isaiah 30:1-7, and contempt of God’s word, Isaiah 30:8-11; wherefore they shall be destroyed, Isaiah 30:12-17. God’s mercies towards the church, Isaiah 30:18-26. God’s wrath and his people’s joy in the destruction of Assyria, Isaiah 30:27-33.

The rebellious children; the Jews, who call themselves God’s children, though they are rebellious ones, as was said, Isaiah 1:2.

That take counsel; that consult together, and resolve to do what follows, Isaiah 30:2.

Not of me; not following nor asking my advice, which they had command and encouragement from me to do.

That cover with a covering; that seek protection.

Not of my Spirit; not such as by my Spirit, speaking in my word, I have directed and required them to do; but such as I have severely forbidden to them; for the contrary affirmative is frequently implied in the negative; of which I have formerly given many instances.

That they may add sin to sin; that unto those sins, by which they have deserved and procured my judgments upon them, they may add distrust of my power and mercy to save them, and confidence in an arm of flesh, which also is rebellion against my express command to the contrary.

that take counsel, but not of me; they met and consulted together about their safety, when in danger, but did not ask counsel of the Lord; they did not consult his word, nor his prophets, nor by Urim and Thummim, as in case of war they should more especially:

and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit; they sought for a cover, a shelter, a protection from the enemy, but not from the Spirit of the Lord, in his word and prophets, who would have directed them to a more suitable and sufficient one. Kimchi understands this of their covert and secret counsels, which they laid deep, as they fancied, and sought to hide. The Targum of the former clause and this is,

"that take counsel, but not of my word; that consult a consultation, but do not ask of my prophets:''

that they may add sin to sin; the sins of consulting others, and of putting confidence in a creature, to their other sins of rebellion and apostasy: so wicked men, who are enemies in their minds, by wicked works, to God, and commit acts of hostility against him, and are in danger thereby of eternal ruin, do not consult the word and ministers of the Gospel, but flesh and blood, carnal sense and reason, and seek to cover themselves with the rags of their own righteousness, and not with the robe of Christ's righteousness, and garments of salvation, which the Spirit of God reveals and brings near; and so to their other sins they add that of trusting to their own righteousness, and not submitting to Christ's.

(a) Who contrary to their promise take not me for their protector and contrary to my commandment seek help from strangers.

(b) They seek shifts to cloak their doings and not godly means.