Bible Strands
Isaiah 30:6
This is the burden against the beasts of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Isaiah delivers this oracle to Judah’s leadership during a political crisis, describing their failed diplomatic caravan to Egypt. The passage records a journey through hostile territory undertaken to secure an alliance that will provide no actual aid.
The words — מַשָּׂ֖א (ma.Sa') translates as oracle or burden, marking the passage as a heavy declaration of judgment. בַּהֲמ֣וֹת (ba.ha.Mot) means beasts, specifying the donkeys and camels that bear Judah’s tribute.
The thread — The caravan’s passage through a land of distress mirrors the venomous wilderness of Deuteronomy 8:15. The futile transport of wealth parallels Isaiah 46:1’s description of idols weighed down on beasts, while contrasting with Deuteronomy 4:20’s account of God delivering Israel from Egypt rather than Israel depending on it.
Why it lands — The text states that carrying wealth to a foreign power yields only shame and empty promises. It requires readers to recognize the futility of political alliances and to cease trusting in human resources over divine provision.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 8:15 He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.
- Isaiah 46:1 Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.
- Deuteronomy 4:20 Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today.
- Jeremiah 11:4 which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’
- 1 Kings 10:2 She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.
- Hosea 8:9 For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey on its own. Ephraim has hired lovers.
- Exodus 1:14 and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.
- Exodus 5:10 So the taskmasters and foremen of the people went out and said to them, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I am no longer giving you straw.
- Numbers 21:6 So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.
- Deuteronomy 17:16 But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’