Isaiah 30:4

30:4 Though his ¹  officials are in Zoan

and his messengers arrive at Hanes, ² 

Isaiah 31:9

31:9 They will surrender their stronghold ³  because of fear; ⁴ 

their officers will be afraid of the Lord’s battle flag.” ⁵ 

This is what the Lord says –

the one whose fire is in Zion,

whose firepot is in Jerusalem. ⁶ 

[30:4]  ¹ sn This probably refers to Judah’s officials and messengers.

[30:4]  ² sn Zoan was located in the Egyptian delta in the north; Hanes was located somewhere in southern region of lower Egypt, south of Memphis; the exact location is debated.

[31:9]  ³ tn Heb “rocky cliff” (cf. ASV, NASB “rock”), viewed metaphorically as a place of defense and security.

[31:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “His rocky cliff, because of fear, will pass away [i.e., “perish”].”

[31:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “and they will be afraid of the flag, his officers.”

[31:9]  ⁶ sn The “fire” and “firepot” here symbolize divine judgment, which is heating up like a fire in Jerusalem, waiting to be used against the Assyrians when they attack the city.