Isaiah 30:21
New International Version
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

New Living Translation
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.

English Standard Version
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

Berean Standard Bible
And 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.”

King James Bible
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

New King James Version
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

New American Standard Bible
Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

NASB 1995
Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

NASB 1977
And your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Legacy Standard Bible
And your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Amplified Bible
Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Christian Standard Bible
and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

American Standard Version
and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it; when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Contemporary English Version
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, "This is the road! Now follow it."

English Revised Version
and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it; when ye turn to the right hand and when e turn to the left.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way. Follow it, whether it turns to the right or to the left."

Good News Translation
If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear his voice behind you saying, "Here is the road. Follow it."

International Standard Version
And whether you turn to the right or turn to the left, your ears will hear a message behind you: "This is the way, walk in it."

Majority Standard Bible
And 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.?

NET Bible
You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, "This is the correct way, walk in it," whether you are heading to the right or the left.

New Heart English Bible
and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way. Walk in it."

Webster's Bible Translation
And thy ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

World English Bible
and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And your ear hears a word behind you, saying, “This [is] the way, go in it,” "" When you turn to the right, "" And when you turn to the left.

Young's Literal Translation
And thine ear heareth a word behind thee, Saying, 'This is the way, go ye in it,' When ye turn to the right, And when ye turn to the left.

Smith's Literal Translation
And thine ears shall hear the word from after thee, saying, This the way, go ye in it when ye shall turn to the right, and when ye shall turn to the left.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thy ears shall hear the word of one admonishing thee behind thy back: This is the way, walk ye in it: and go not aside neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And your ears will listen to the word of one admonishing you behind your back: “This is the way! Walk in it! And do not turn aside, neither to the right, nor to the left.”

New American Bible
And your ears shall hear a word behind you: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or the left.

New Revised Standard Version
And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it, and do not turn aside, either to the right hand or to the left.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And your ears shall hear The Word from behind you saying: "This is the way! Go in it, and do not turn away to the right or to the left!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying: 'This is the way, walk ye in it, When ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and thine ears shall hear the words of them that went after thee to lead thee astray, who say, This is the way, let us walk in it, whether to the right or to the left.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Mercies
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.” 22So you will desecrate your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away like menstrual cloths, saying to them, “Be gone!”…

Cross References
Proverbs 3:6
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.

John 10:27
My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’

Psalm 25:9
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.

John 14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Deuteronomy 5:32-33
So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left. / You must walk in all the ways that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Proverbs 4:11-12
I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths. / When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble.

John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Hebrews 12:13
Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

1 Kings 19:12
After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice.

Isaiah 48:17
Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who directs you in the way you should go.

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Psalm 37:23
The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.


Treasury of Scripture

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.

thine ears

Isaiah 35:8,9
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein

Isaiah 42:16
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Isaiah 48:17
Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

when ye turn to the right

Deuteronomy 5:32
Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 23:6
Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

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Ear Ears Hand Hear Heareth Right Sounding Turn Turning Voice Walk Way Whenever Whether Word
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














And whether you turn to the right or to the left
This phrase suggests the omnipresence and omniscience of God in guiding His people. In the Hebrew context, the words for "right" (יָמִין, yamin) and "left" (שְׂמֹאל, semol) are often used to denote directions or choices in life. Historically, the Israelites were often faced with decisions that could lead them away from God's path. This phrase reassures believers that no matter the direction they might be tempted to take, God's guidance remains steadfast. It reflects the biblical principle that God is always present, ready to guide His people back to the right path, emphasizing His unwavering commitment to their spiritual journey.

your ears will hear a voice behind you
The imagery of a "voice behind you" is deeply significant. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a voice from behind could symbolize authority and guidance, akin to a shepherd leading his flock. The Hebrew word for "voice" (קוֹל, qol) often represents divine communication. This phrase underscores the personal and intimate nature of God's guidance. It is not a distant or impersonal directive but a close, caring instruction. The voice is behind, suggesting that God is following, protecting, and ensuring that His people do not stray too far. This reflects the Christian belief in the Holy Spirit as a constant guide and counselor, always present to direct believers in their walk with God.

saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'
The directive "This is the way" (זֶה הַדֶּרֶךְ, zeh haderekh) is a powerful affirmation of God's specific and clear guidance. The term "way" (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh) in Hebrew often refers to a path or journey, symbolizing the course of one's life. In the biblical context, it represents the righteous path that God desires for His people. The command to "walk in it" (לְכוּ־בָהּ, lechu-vah) is an invitation to active obedience and faith. It is not enough to know the way; one must also choose to walk in it. This phrase encapsulates the essence of Christian discipleship—following the path laid out by God through faith and obedience. It serves as a reminder that God's guidance is not just theoretical but practical, requiring action and commitment from believers.

(21) Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee.--The voice of the human teacher on whom the people looked as they listened would find an echo in that inner voice telling them which was the true way, when they were tempted to turn to the right hand or the left.

Verse 21. - Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee. Kay says, "The teacher will go before his flock, marking out the way before them." But in that case, the flock would hear the word before them. Delitzsch explains better, "They (the teachers), as the shepherds of the flock, would follow the people with friendly words of admonition." Even in the East, shepherds sometimes follow their flocks (see Genesis 32:17). When ye turn, i.e. when ye are about to turn.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And whether
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you turn to the right
תַאֲמִ֖ינוּ (ṯa·’ă·mî·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 541: To take the right hand road

or to the left,
תַשְׂמְאִֽילוּ׃ (ṯaś·mə·’î·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8041: To use the left hand, pass in that direction)

your ears
וְאָזְנֶ֙יךָ֙ (wə·’ā·zə·ne·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear

will hear
תִּשְׁמַ֣עְנָה (tiš·ma‘·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

this command
דָבָ֔ר (ḏā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

behind you:
מֵֽאַחֲרֶ֖יךָ (mê·’a·ḥă·re·ḵā)
Preposition-m | second person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

“This
זֶ֤ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

is the way.
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ (had·de·reḵ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

Walk in it.”
לְכ֣וּ (lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 30:21 And when you turn to the right (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 30:20
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