30:2 They travel down to Egypt
without seeking my will, 1
seeking Pharaoh’s protection,
and looking for safety in Egypt’s protective shade. 2
30:3 But Pharaoh’s protection will bring you nothing but shame,
and the safety of Egypt’s protective shade nothing but humiliation.
30:15 For this is what the master, the Lord, the Holy One of Israel says:
“If you repented and patiently waited for me, you would be delivered; 3
if you calmly trusted in me you would find strength, 4
but you are unwilling.
30:16 You say, ‘No, we will flee on horses,’
so you will indeed flee.
You say, ‘We will ride on fast horses,’
so your pursuers will be fast.
30:17 One thousand will scurry at the battle cry of one enemy soldier; 5
at the battle cry of five enemy soldiers you will all run away, 6
until the remaining few are as isolated 7
as a flagpole on a mountaintop
or a signal flag on a hill.”
1 tn Heb “those who go to descend to Egypt, but [of] my mouth they do not inquire.”
2 tn Heb “to seek protection in the protection of Pharaoh, and to seek refuge in the shade of Egypt.”
3 tn Heb “in returning and in quietness you will be delivered.” Many English versions render the last phrase “shall be saved” or something similar (e.g., NAB, NASB, NRSV).
4 tn Heb “in quietness and in trust is your strength” (NASB and NRSV both similar).
5 tn Heb “One thousand from before [or “because of”] one battle cry.” גְּעָרָה (gÿ’arah) is often defined as “threat,” but in war contexts it likely refers to a shout or battle cry. See Ps 76:6.
6 tn Heb “from before [or “because of”] the battle cry of five you will flee.
7 tn Heb “until you are left” (so NAB, NASB, NRSV).