Isaiah 30:9-11
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The phrase "lying children" here isn't just about telling falsehoods. It points to a deeper betrayal – their actions don't match their outward claims of devotion to God. This dishonesty, this faithlessness in their covenant, is what makes them truly rebellious.
For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD; 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, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Isaiah is commanded to write down a prophecy that pronounces judgment on Judah. This verse reveals the reason: the people are rebellious and deceitful, refusing to listen to God's instructions and instead seeking alliances with Egypt for protection. Their actions demonstrate a deep distrust of God and a preference for their own flawed plans, which the prophecy will show will lead to their downfall.
The verse calls God's people 'rebellious' and 'lying children.' What does this deeper meaning reveal about their sin?
Isaiah isn't just describing simple rule-breaking. The Hebrew word for 'rebellious' can imply a stubborn, willful turning away from God's authority, like a child actively defying a parent.
And 'lying children'? This points to a profound disconnect between their words and actions. They might claim to follow God, but their lives tell a different story. This isn't just a white lie; it's a deep-seated unfaithfulness to their covenant relationship with God, a betrayal of the very identity they claimed as His people.
Why were these 'children' so unwilling to hear the LORD's instruction? What does this tell us about the nature of true discipleship?
The core of their rebellion is a refusal to 'hear the instruction of the LORD.' This isn't just about ignoring advice; it's about rejecting the very voice of God guiding them.
The 'instruction' here refers to God's commands, His teachings, and the path He has laid out. It's the divine blueprint for life. By refusing to listen, they weren't just making a mistake; they were actively choosing their own way over God's wisdom. This unwillingness to hear is the root of their destructive choices, leading them away from safety and toward judgment.
Understand the original words
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torah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to God’s written law, wisdom, or prophetic guidance. It signifies the authoritative teaching that directs the heart and conduct of the people toward obedience to God.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of the God of Israel. It denotes His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His people through His redemptive promises.
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.
Qadosh Yisra'el · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A title for God emphasizing His set-apartness, moral purity, and His covenant relationship with the people of Israel. It highlights His majesty and His role as the covenant-keeping God.
This prophecy comes as the Kingdom of Judah is on the brink of destruction. The people, despite previous warnings and reforms, have repeatedly turned away from the LORD, seeking alliances with Egypt instead of trusting God. Isaiah's words condemn their deep-seated rebellion and faithlessness, which ultimately led to the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Exile.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many and scattering the population. This event would have served as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Under King Sennacherib, the Assyrian army invades Judah, capturing many cities and besieking Jerusalem. King Hezekiah sought deliverance through prayer and reliance on God.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Religious Reforms
King Josiah discovers the Book of the Law in the Temple and institutes sweeping religious reforms, attempting to purge Judah of idolatry and re-establish true worship. This effort aimed to restore Judah's covenant faithfulness.
c. 609 BC
Death of Josiah
King Josiah is killed in battle against the Egyptians at Megiddo. His death marked a turning point, and Judah's political and spiritual decline accelerated.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Judah and begins deporting its elite, including young Daniel, to Babylon. This event signals the impending doom of Jerusalem.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Babylon again besieges Jerusalem, deporting King Jehoiachin and many more skilled workers and citizens to Babylon. This marked a further erosion of Judah's strength and sovereignty.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem, burns the Temple, and deports the remaining population to Babylon. This event marks the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Isaiah 30:9, warning that God knows the people's rebelliousness and stubbornness, highlighting a long-standing pattern of disobedience that precedes Isaiah's prophecy.
Jeremiah 5:23Similar to Isaiah's description, Jeremiah condemns a people who have become 'a stubborn and rebellious lot' and who refuse to let God's instruction guide them, showing this pattern of rebellion wasn't unique to Isaiah's time.
Hosea 4:6This passage illustrates the consequence of not hearing instruction, stating that God's people are 'destroyed for lack of knowledge' because they have rejected it, mirroring the core issue in Isaiah 30:9 where rejection of the LORD's instruction leads to ruin.
Matthew 23:37Jesus laments over Jerusalem, calling them rebellious and comparing them to a hen gathering her brood, whom they were unwilling to let come to her. This shows the persistent rejection of God's messengers and His desire for their well-being, a theme central to Isaiah's complaint.
cambridgeIsaiah 30:9: "That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:"
9 . lying children ] or faithless sons ; see on ch. Isaiah 1:2 , cf. Malachi 1:6 the law ] the instruction , as ch. Isaiah 1:10 . 9–11 . The documents (as in Isaiah 8:16 ) are a protest against the persistent disobedience of the people. Render with R.V. For it is , &c.
barnesIsaiah 30:9: "That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:"
That this is a rebellious people - (see the note at Isaiah 1:2 ). Lying children - They had promised in solemn covenant to take Yahweh as their God, but they had been unfaithful to their vows.
The phrase "lying children" here isn't just about telling falsehoods. It points to a deeper betrayal – their actions don't match their outward claims of devotion to God. This dishonesty, this faithlessness in their covenant, is what makes them truly rebellious.
Isaiah is commanded to write down a prophecy that pronounces judgment on Judah. This verse reveals the reason: the people are rebellious and deceitful, refusing to listen to God's instructions and instead seeking alliances with Egypt for protection. Their actions demonstrate a deep distrust of God and a preference for their own flawed plans, which the prophecy will show will lead to their downfall.
Isaiah is commanded to write down a prophecy that pronounces judgment on Judah. This verse reveals the reason: the people are rebellious and deceitful, refusing to listen to God's instructions and instead seeking alliances with Egypt for protection. Their actions demonstrate a deep distrust of God and a preference for their own flawed plans, which the prophecy will show will lead to their downfall.
"For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak…" — The phrase "lying children" here isn't just about telling falsehoods. It points to a deeper betrayal – their actions don't match their outward claims of devotion to God. This dishonesty, this faithle…
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Last reviewed October 2026
