Isaiah 30:4

30:4 Though his officials are in Zoan

and his messengers arrive at Hanes,

Isaiah 33:7

33:7 Look, ambassadors cry out in the streets;

messengers sent to make peace weep bitterly.


sn This probably refers to Judah’s officials and messengers.

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.

tn The meaning of the Hebrew word is unknown. Proposals include “heroes” (cf. KJV, ASV “valiant ones”; NASB, NIV “brave men”); “priests,” “residents [of Jerusalem].” The present translation assumes that the term is synonymous with “messengers of peace,” with which it corresponds in the parallel structure of the verse.

tn Heb “messengers of peace,” apparently those responsible for negotiating the agreements that have been broken (see v. 8).