who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people aren't just asking for comfortable lies; they're actively trying to silence any divine insight that challenges their preferred path. They reject not just unwelcome truths, but the very ability of God's messengers to see or speak them.
who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people of Judah are desperately seeking an alliance with Egypt for military protection against their enemies, a move explicitly forbidden by God. Despite Isaiah's clear warnings about the futility and danger of this alliance, they demand that their spiritual leaders only deliver pleasant messages, rejecting any prophecy that speaks of judgment or calls them to repentance. This is essentially a demand for spiritual blindness and flattery, a preference for illusions over the harsh reality of God's truth.
Have you ever found yourself wishing away bad news or the truth you didn't want to hear? This verse shows us a dangerous pattern: people actively trying to silence God's messengers.
The people of Judah are telling God's prophets, 'Don't tell us what's right! Tell us things that feel good, even if they're illusions.' This isn't just about ignoring God's message; it's about a deliberate turning away from reality.
Why Silence God's Messengers?
What's the harm in hearing good news, even if it's not entirely true? This verse reveals that the desire for 'smooth things' leads to a profound spiritual deception.
The people aren't just asking for a little white lie; they are demanding 'deceits' and 'illusions.' This isn't a neutral act; it has severe consequences.
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The Danger of Illusion:
Understand the original words
chozeh · Hebrew Noun
Individuals authorized by God to receive visions and divine revelations; they serve as spiritual eyes for the nation to discern God’s will.
nabiy · Hebrew Noun
A spokesperson for God who conveys His mind and heart to the people, calling them to repentance and declaring His sovereign purposes, whether of judgment or salvation.
hatathim · Hebrew Noun
Refers to anything that deviates from the objective truth of God’s Word; it represents falsehood, deception, or spiritual delusion that contradicts the reality of God's holiness.
This prophecy comes in the context of Judah's precarious geopolitical situation, caught between the mighty Assyrian Empire and the enticing but ultimately unreliable power of Egypt. The people's desire for 'smooth things' reflects their attempt to ignore God's warnings and pursue dangerous political alliances for immediate, superficial comfort.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire Dominates
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II, exerted immense power, subjugating many nations in the Near East and posing a constant threat to the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, its capital Samaria fell, and its population was deported. This event served as a stark warning to the southern kingdom of Judah.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. King Hezekiah, despite seeking counsel from Isaiah, ultimately paid tribute to appease the Assyrians.
c. 671 BC
Egypt Under Assyrian Influence
Egypt, a major regional power, was brought under Assyrian influence, becoming a subordinate ally or a conquered territory at various times. This complicated Judah's attempts to secure Egyptian aid.
c. 626-609 BC
Rise of Babylon
The Neo-Babylonian Empire began to rise as Assyrian power waned, eventually becoming the dominant force in the region.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish and began deporting Judean elites and skilled workers to Babylon, initiating the period of Babylonian exile.
This passage describes prophets who prophesy for profit, leading people astray with false messages, mirroring the people's desire in Isaiah for 'smooth things' instead of truth.
Jeremiah 6:14Similar to Isaiah's prophecy, Jeremiah condemns prophets who claim 'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace, showing a consistent pattern of rejecting God's warnings for comforting lies.
Ezekiel 13:10This verse directly addresses prophets who build up a flimsy wall with whitewash, just as the people in Isaiah desire illusions rather than the solid truth of God's word.
1 Kings 22:13This illustrates the principle seen in Isaiah, where a prophet is urged to 'speak favorably' to the king, revealing the human tendency to seek comforting messages over difficult truths, even when facing divine judgment.
barnesIsaiah 30:10: "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
Which say to the seers - The prophets (see the note at Isaiah 1:1 ). See not - They desire not that they should communicate to them the will of Yahweh. Prophesy not unto us right things - It is not probable that they "openly" demanded of the prophets that they should declare falsehood and deceit, but their conduct was as if they had required tha…
cambridgeIsaiah 30:10: "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
10 . the seers ] ( 1 Samuel 9:9 .) the prophets ] The word rightly rendered “seer” in Amos 7:12 and elsewhere. See on Isaiah 1:1 . The prophets referred to can hardly (in view of Isaiah 30:11 ) be merely the false prophets, who were at the beck and call of the people, but all representatives of the prophetic office. Cf. Amos 2:12 ; Amos 7:12 ; H…
The people aren't just asking for comfortable lies; they're actively trying to silence any divine insight that challenges their preferred path. They reject not just unwelcome truths, but the very ability of God's messengers to see or speak them.
The people of Judah are desperately seeking an alliance with Egypt for military protection against their enemies, a move explicitly forbidden by God. Despite Isaiah's clear warnings about the futility and danger of this alliance, they demand that their spiritual leaders only deliver pleasant messages, rejecting any prophecy that speaks of judgment or calls them to repentance. This is essentially a demand for spiritual blindness and flattery, a preference for illusions over the harsh reality of God's truth.
The people of Judah are desperately seeking an alliance with Egypt for military protection against their enemies, a move explicitly forbidden by God. Despite Isaiah's clear warnings about the futility and danger of this alliance, they demand that their spiritual leaders only deliver pleasant messages, rejecting any prophecy that speaks of judgment or calls them to repentance. This is essentially a demand for spiritual blindness and flattery, a preference for illusions over the harsh reality of God's truth.
"who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions," — The people aren't just asking for comfortable lies; they're actively trying to silence any divine insight that challenges their preferred path. They reject not just unwelcome truths, but the very *…
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Last reviewed October 2026