Isaiah 30:20 The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself--with your own eyes you will see Him.

◄ Isaiah 30:20 ►

New International Version
Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.

New Living Translation
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.

English Standard Version
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.

Berean Standard Bible
The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes you will see Him.

King James Bible
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

New King James Version
And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers.

New American Standard Bible
Although the Lord has given you bread of deprivation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher, will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will see your Teacher.

NASB 1995
Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher.

NASB 1977
Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher.

Legacy Standard Bible
The Lord has given you bread of distress and water of oppression; He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will see your Teacher.

Amplified Bible
Though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of oppression, yet your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will [constantly] see your Teacher.

Christian Standard Bible
The Lord will give you meager bread and water during oppression, but your Teacher will not hide any longer. Your eyes will see your Teacher,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Lord will give you meager bread and water during oppression, but your Teacher will not hide Himself any longer. Your eyes will see your Teacher,

American Standard Version
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be hidden anymore, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers;

Contemporary English Version
The Lord has given you trouble and sorrow as your food and drink. But now you will again see the Lord, your teacher, and he will guide you.

English Revised Version
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be hidden any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Lord may give you troubles and hardships. But your teacher will no longer be hidden from you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.

Good News Translation
The Lord will make you go through hard times, but he himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for him any more.

International Standard Version
And although the LORD gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers won't hide themselves anymore, but your own eyes will see your teachers.

Majority Standard Bible
The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes you will see Him.

NET Bible
The sovereign master will give you distress to eat and suffering to drink; but your teachers will no longer be hidden; your eyes will see them.

New Heart English Bible
Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers won't be hidden anymore, but your eyes will see your teachers;

Webster's Bible Translation
And though the Lord shall give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thy eyes shall see thy teachers:

World English Bible
Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers won’t be hidden any more, but your eyes will see your teachers;

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the Lord has given to you bread of adversity, "" And water of oppression. And your teachers remove no longer, "" And your eyes have seen your teachers,

Young's Literal Translation
And the Lord hath given to you bread of adversity, And water of oppression. And thy directors remove no more, And thine eyes have seen thy directors,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah gave to you the bread of straits and the waters of oppression, and he will no more cover those teaching thee, and thine eyes shall be seeing those teaching thee:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord will give you spare bread, and short water: and will not cause thy teacher to flee away from thee any more, and thy eyes shall see thy teacher.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord will give you thick bread and accessible water. And he will not cause your teacher to fly away from you anymore. And your eyes will behold your instructor.

New American Bible
The Lord will give you bread in adversity and water in affliction. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher,

New Revised Standard Version
Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And though the LORD give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet he will not gather any more those who have caused you to err, and your eyes shall see the misfortune of those who have caused you to err;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH will give you bread in affliction and water in affliction, and he shall not gather your deceivers again, and your eyes shall look on your deceivers

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And though the Lord give you sparing bread and scant water, Yet shall not thy Teacher hide Himself any more, But thine eyes shall see thy Teacher;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And though the Lord shall give you the bread of affliction and scant water, yet they that cause thee to err shall no more at all draw nigh to thee; for thine eyes shall see those that cause thee to err,

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

God's Mercies
…19O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you. 20The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself— with your own eyes you will see Him. 21And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

Psalm 119:71
It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.

Psalm 119:75
I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

Amos 8:11
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:32-33
Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. / For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.

Job 5:17-18
Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. / For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal.

Hosea 6:1
Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.

Jeremiah 31:18-19
I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

Micah 7:8-9
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. / Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness.

Hebrews 12:5-11
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” / Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ...

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:4-7
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. / For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. / If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience. ...

Treasury of Scripture

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not your teachers be removed into a corner any more, but your eyes shall see your teachers:

the bread

Deuteronomy 16:3
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

1 Kings 22:27
And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

2 Chronicles 18:26
And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

affliction.

Psalm 74:9
We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.

Amos 8:11,12
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: …

Matthew 9:38
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

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Adversity Affliction Although Anymore Bread Corner Directors Eyes Grief Hidden Hide Longer Oppression Privation Remove Removed Scant Side Sparing Teacher Teachers Trouble Water Won't

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Isaiah 30

1. The prophet threatens the people for their confidence in Egypt
8. And contempt of God's word
18. God's mercies toward his church
27. God's wrath and the people's joy, in the destruction of Assyria

Berean Study Bible

Though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity
The phrase "the bread of adversity" uses the metaphor of bread to signify sustenance or something that is a regular part of life. In Hebrew, the word for "bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem) often symbolizes basic provision or necessity. Here, it is paired with "adversity" (צָר, tsar), which denotes distress or trouble. This suggests that adversity is something that God allows as a part of the believer's experience, much like daily bread. Historically, Israel faced numerous adversities, from foreign invasions to internal strife, which were often seen as a means of divine discipline or testing. This phrase encourages believers to view their trials as divinely permitted, serving a greater purpose in God's plan.

and the water of affliction
The "water of affliction" complements the previous metaphor, with "water" (מַיִם, mayim) being another essential element of life. "Affliction" (לַחַץ, lachatz) refers to oppression or pressure. In the ancient Near Eastern context, water was a precious resource, and its scarcity could lead to significant hardship. This imagery suggests that just as water is necessary for survival, so too are the trials that refine and strengthen faith. Theologically, this reflects the belief that God uses difficult circumstances to purify and prepare His people for greater things, much like water is used to cleanse.

your Teacher will no longer hide Himself
The term "Teacher" (מוֹרֶה, moreh) is significant, as it implies guidance and instruction. In the Hebrew tradition, a teacher was not just an instructor but a mentor who imparted wisdom and understanding. The promise that the Teacher "will no longer hide Himself" suggests a future revelation or clarity that will come after a period of obscurity or misunderstanding. Historically, this can be seen in the context of the Israelites' relationship with God, where periods of silence or perceived absence were followed by divine intervention or revelation. This phrase offers hope that God will make His will and presence known, guiding His people through their trials.

but your eyes will see your Teacher
The assurance that "your eyes will see your Teacher" speaks to a personal and direct encounter with God. In the Hebrew context, seeing is often associated with understanding or experiencing something firsthand. This promise indicates a future where believers will have a clear and undeniable awareness of God's presence and guidance. It reflects the ultimate hope of the faithful: to have an intimate and unmediated relationship with God. This vision aligns with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and restoration, where God's people are brought into a closer, more profound communion with Him.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) The bread of adversity.--Better, bread in small quantity, and water in scant measure. The words seem to imply an allusion to the scant rations of a siege such as Jerusalem was to endure from the Assyrian armies. For this there should be the compensation that the true "teachers" of the people, Isaiah and his fellow-workers, should at least be recognised--no longer thrust into a corner, as they had been in the days of Ahaz. The clearer vision of the truth was to be the outcome of the sharp teaching of chastisement. A various reading gives "thy teacher," i.e., Jehovah Himself; but the plural seems more in harmony with the context. In the mission of Isaiah 37:2 we have a virtual fulfilment of the prediction.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity (so Mr. Cheyne). But most modern critics (Kay, Delitzsch, Vance Smith, etc.) regard the words as a promise of support through the siege, and omit the interpolated "though." Translate, And the Lord will give yon bread of adversity, and water of affliction; i.e. scant rations, but sufficient; and thy teachers shall not, etc. Be removed into a corner; i.e. "have to hide themselves from persecution." A persecution of Jehovah's prophets had commenced in Judah during the reign of Joash (2 Chronicles 24:19-22), and had probably continued with more or less severity ever since.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The Lord
אֲדֹנָ֛י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

will give
וְנָתַ֨ן (wə·nā·ṯan)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you
לָכֶ֧ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

the bread
לֶ֥חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

of adversity
צָ֖ר (ṣār)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

and the water
וּמַ֣יִם (ū·ma·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

of affliction,
לָ֑חַץ (lā·ḥaṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3906: Oppression, distress

but your Teacher
מוֹרֶ֔יךָ (mō·w·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3384: To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach

will no longer
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

hide
יִכָּנֵ֥ף (yik·kā·nêp̄)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3670: To be cornered or thrust into a corner

Himself—
עוֹד֙ (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

with your own eyes
עֵינֶ֖יךָ (‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

you will see
רֹא֥וֹת (rō·’ō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

[Him].
מוֹרֶֽיךָ׃ (mō·w·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3384: To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach

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OT Prophets: Isaiah 30:20 Though the Lord may give you (Isa Isi Is)