8 Now go, write it on a tablet before them And inscribe it on a scroll, That it may serve in the time to come As a witness forever. 9 For this is a rebellious people, false sons, Sons who refuse to listen To the instruction of the LORD; 10 Who say to the seers, “You must not see visions”; And to the prophets, “You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions. 11 “Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 30:8–11 (NASB95)

8 Now then, sit and write these things on a tablet and in a scroll, because these things will be for days of time and as long as into eternity. 9 Because it is a resistant people, lying sons who are unwilling to listen to the law of God, 10 who say to the prophets, “Do not report that to us,” and to those who see the visions, “Do not speak that to us, but rather speak to us and report to us a different deception; 11 and turn us back from this way; remove this path from us, and remove the oracle of Israel from us.” Isaiah 30:8–11 (LES2)

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, “Since you have rejected this word And have put your trust in oppression and guile, and have relied on them, 13 Therefore this iniquity will be to you Like a breach about to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose collapse comes suddenly in an instant, 14 Whose collapse is like the smashing of a potter’s jar, So ruthlessly shattered That a sherd will not be found among its pieces To take fire from a hearth Or to scoop water from a cistern.” Isaiah 30:12–14 (NASB95)

12 Because of this, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: “Because you resisted these words and hoped on a lie, and because you grumbled and began trusting on this word; 13 because of this, this sin will be for you like a wall that falls suddenly when a secure city is captured, whose fall comes suddenly; 14 and its fall will be like the breaking of a clay vessel, tiny pieces from a jar, so that there cannot be found among them a shard in which you will carry fire and whistle a little water. Isaiah 30:12–14 (LES2) 

15 For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing, 16 And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses,” Therefore you shall flee! “And we will ride on swift horses,” Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift. 17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one man; You will flee at the threat of five, Until you are left as a flag on a mountain top And as a signal on a hill. Isaiah 30:15–17 (NASB95)

15 This is what the lord Lord says, the Holy One of Israel: “When you turn back, you groan; then you will be delivered, and you will know where you were; when you put trust in the things without avail, your strength came to no avail, and you were unwilling to listen. 16 Instead you said, ‘We will flee on horses!’ Because of this, you will flee! And ‘We will be upon swift riders!’ Because of this, those pursuing you will be swift! 17 At the voice of a single person, a thousand will flee, and at the voice of five, many will flee, until you are left like a pole on a mountain and like one who carries a standard on a hill. Isaiah 30:15–17 (LES2)

This passage contains a huge departure from the truth by the MT in verse 15. The LXX essentially says that Israel will be delivered when she repents from trusting in vain things and disobeying God. The well-known verse – “In repentance and rest you will be saved. In quietness and trust is your strength” – does not exist in the LXX. Instead, we have, “When you turn back, you groan, then you will be delivered, and you will know where you were, when you put your trust in [useless things]…and..were unwilling to listen.”

Verses 16 and 17 show agreement.

18 Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. 19 O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. 20 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. 21 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. Isaiah 30:18–21 (NASB95)

18 And again God will remain to have pity on you, and because of this, he will be exalted to show mercy to you, because the Lord your God is a judge. Blessed are those who remain for him. 19 Because a holy people will reside in Zion, and Jerusalem has wept with weeping, “Have mercy on me!” he will show mercy to you for the sound of your crying. When he saw it, he listened to you. 20 And the Lord will give you the bread of oppression and scant water, and those who mislead you will not approach you any longer, because your eyes will look at those who mislead you, 21 and your ears will hear the words of those who mislead you from behind, those who say, “This is the way, let us go on it, whether right or left.” Isaiah 30:18–21 (LES2)

Verse 18 shows a lot of agreement. My opinion is because the LXX is a positive message for Israel, which the Masoretes did not see a need to change. 

“Blessed are those who remain [Greek – meno: abide, continue in] him,” which is found in the LXX is similar to what Jesus told his disciples.

4 Abide [Greek – meno]  in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:4 (NKJV)

Perhaps this passage should be understood to apply to the “Israel of God,” those who put their faith and allegiance in Christ. This could be the proper understanding of the “holy people” who will reside in Zion mentioned in verse 19. 

Verses 20-21 in the MT agree with the LXX. God will eventually deliver Israel from deception. It must be noted, however, that those who will be saved in Israel will always only be a remnant, just as is the case with the rest of the people in the world. (Romans 9:29) The “all Israel” of Romans 11:26 is the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, composed of Jews and Gentiles, through whom God will be glorified throughout eternity, (Ephesians 3:21)

22 And you will defile your graven images overlaid with silver, and your molten images plated with gold. You will scatter them as an impure thing, and say to them, “Be gone!” 23 Then He will give you rain for the seed which you will sow in the ground, and bread from the yield of the ground, and it will be rich and plenteous; on that day your livestock will graze in a roomy pasture. 24 Also the oxen and the donkeys which work the ground will eat salted fodder, which has been winnowed with shovel and fork. Isaiah 30:22–24 (NASB95)

22 And you will defile the silver-plated and gold-plated idols; you will make them into tiny pieces, and you will scatter them like the water of a woman who is sitting apart, and you will thrust them out like dung. 23 Then there will be rain for the seed of your land, and the bread of the produce of your land will be an abundance and rich. And on that day your livestock will be fed at a fertile and spacious place. 24 Your bulls and cattle that work the land will eat straw prepared with winnowed barley. Isaiah 30:22–24 (LES2)

25 On every lofty mountain and on every high hill there will be streams running with water on the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. 26 The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven days, on the day the LORD binds up the fracture of His people and heals the bruise He has inflicted. Isaiah 30:25–26 (NASB95)

25 And on every lofty mountain and on every high hill, there will be running water on that day, when many will perish, when towers will fall. 26 And the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold on the day when the Lord heals the injury of his people, and he will heal the pain of your wound. Isaiah 30:25–26 (LES2)

27 Behold, the name of the LORD comes from a remote place; Burning is His anger and dense is His smoke; His lips are filled with indignation And His tongue is like a consuming fire; 28 His breath is like an overflowing torrent, Which reaches to the neck, To shake the nations back and forth in a sieve, And to put in the jaws of the peoples the bridle which leads to ruin. Isaiah 30:27–28 (NASB95)

27 Look, the name of the Lord comes over time, burning wrath. The oracle of his lips is with glory; the oracle is full of anger, and the angry wrath will devour like fire. 28 And his breath, like sweeping water in a ravine, will come up to the neck and will split to trouble nations at pointless wandering; and wandering will pursue them, and it will take hold of them to their face. Isaiah 30:27–28 (LES2)

29 You will have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, And gladness of heart as when one marches to the sound of the flute, To go to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel. 30 And the LORD will cause His voice of authority to be heard, And the descending of His arm to be seen in fierce anger, And in the flame of a consuming fire In cloudburst, downpour and hailstones. Isaiah 30:29–30 (NASB95)

29 Surely it is not the case that it is necessary for you to always be cheerful and enter into my holy places always as if observing a feast, and enter into the mountain of the Lord with the flute, as if rejoicing toward the God of Israel? 30 And the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard, even to display the wrath of his arm with wrath and anger and a devouring flame. He will thunder with violence even like water and hail carried down together with force. Isaiah 30:29–30 (LES2)

31 For at the voice of the LORD Assyria will be terrified, When He strikes with the rod. 32 And every blow of the rod of punishment, Which the LORD will lay on him, Will be with the music of tambourines and lyres; And in battles, brandishing weapons, He will fight them. 33 For Topheth has long been ready, Indeed, it has been prepared for the king. He has made it deep and large, A pyre of fire with plenty of wood; The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of brimstone, sets it afire. Isaiah 30:31–33 (NASB95)

31 For through the Lord’s voice the Assyrians will be defeated by the blow with which he strikes them. 32 And for him it will be all around, whence was their hope of aid, that he himself trusted; they will make war on him with tambourines and lyres, by way of a change. 33 For before some days you must repay. Surely it is not the case that also it was prepared for you to rule a deep ravine, piled timber, fire, and much wood? The wrath of the Lord is like a ravine burning with brimstone. Isaiah 30:31–33 (LES2)

Verse 32 is confusing in both the MT and LXX. The most interesting thing, to me, is the end of verse 32 in the LXX – “by way of a change or transition.” The MT translates this, “He will fight them.”

Verse 33 continues the confusion. The MT says, “For Topheth has long been ready, Indeed it has been prepared for the king.” The LXX says, “For before some days you must repay. Surely it is not the case that also it was prepared for you to rule a deep ravine…” I really do not know what to make of this. Brenton’s LXX translation renders the verse to mean that even though ?Assyria? thought it was her destiny to rule, that nation will encounter God’s wrath.

1 Woe, O Ariel, Ariel the city where David once camped! Add year to year, observe your feasts on schedule. 2 I will bring distress to Ariel, And she will be a city of lamenting and mourning; And she will be like an Ariel to me. 3 I will camp against you encircling you, And I will set siegeworks against you, And I will raise up battle towers against you. 4 Then you will be brought low; From the earth you will speak, And from the dust where you are prostrate Your words will come. Your voice will also be like that of a spirit from the ground, And your speech will whisper from the dust. Isaiah 29:1–4 (NASB95)

1 Woe to you, city of Ariel, against which David waged war! Gather produce year after year! Eat, for you will eat with Moab. 2 For I will squeeze Ariel, and its strength and wealth will be mine. 3 And like David, I will surround you; and I will place an entrenched camp around you, and I will put towers around you. 4 And your words will be brought low into the earth, and into the earth your words will sink, and your voice will be like those who call from the earth, and your voice will be weak, down toward the ground. Isaiah 29:1–4 (LES2)

The word “Ariel” means “like a lion.”

I suppose a connection can be made between “camped” and “waged war,” but God’s war against rebellious Israel through the agency of Babylon seems to be a focus of this prophecy. Therefore, I prefer the LXX’s rendering.

The rest of verse 1 is a warning that, even though life seems to go on as usual, judgment in surely coming. The idea of bringing distress and squeezing is close enough. Jerusalem was noted for its strength and wealth, which the LXX says will become God’s. The MT says nothing like that.

Verse 3 is close enough. Verse 4, however is different. The MT says that “you will be brought low,” but the LXX says Jerusalem’s “words will be brought low into the earth.”

5 But the multitude of your enemies will become like fine dust, And the multitude of the ruthless ones like the chaff which blows away; And it will happen instantly, suddenly. 6 From the LORD of hosts you will be punished with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, With whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a consuming fire. 7 And the multitude of all the nations who wage war against Ariel, Even all who wage war against her and her stronghold, and who distress her, Will be like a dream, a vision of the night. 8 It will be as when a hungry man dreams— And behold, he is eating; But when he awakens, his hunger is not satisfied, Or as when a thirsty man dreams— And behold, he is drinking, But when he awakens, behold, he is faint And his thirst is not quenched. Thus the multitude of all the nations will be Who wage war against Mount Zion. Isaiah 29:5–8 (NASB95) 

5 And the wealth of the impious will be like a cloud of dust from a wall, and the multitude of those who oppress you like dust carried along; and it will happen as a moment, suddenly 6 from the Lord Sabaoth, for there will be an examination with thunder and quaking and a great sound, a rushing storm and a consuming flame of fire. 7 And the wealth of all the nations will be like one who dreams during the sleep of night, every nation that waged war against Jerusalem and all those who are waging war against Jerusalem and all those who gathered together against it and afflicted it. 8 And like those who drink and eat in their sleep, and when they awake the dream is to no avail, the way the one who is thirsty dreams as if he were drinking and when he awakes, he is still thirsty, and his soul hoped in vain, so will be the wealth of all the nations, every one that waged war against the mountain of Zion. Isaiah 29:5–8 (LES2) 

I am not sure what to make of the LXX’s “wealth” of the ungodly. Perhaps it was an idiomatic saying or perhaps it was an error by a scribe. The Greek word for wealth is plutos and the one for multitude is plethos. It seems in this case that the MT makes more sense by using the word “multitude.” 

In verse 6, the MT and LXX are close. The Hebrew word translated “punished” can also mean “visited.” The Greek word in the LXX for “examined” can also imply a visitation. Both agree that this “visitation” will be very unusual containing natural terrors.

In verse 7, the MT continues using the word Ariel for Jerusalem, but the LXX calls the city by its actual name. The rest of this passage emphasizes the surreal nature of the siege against Jerusalem to the minds of the inhabitants. 

Interestingly, this passage says that “all the nations” will wage war against the city.

9 Be delayed and wait, Blind yourselves and be blind; They become drunk, but not with wine, They stagger, but not with strong drink. 10 For the LORD has poured over you a spirit of deep sleep, He has shut your eyes, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, the seers. Isaiah 29:9–10 (NASB95) 

9 Be feeble and out of your senses! Be intoxicated not from sikera or from wine. 10 Because the Lord has made you drunk with a wind of bewilderment; and he will close the eyes of them and their prophets and their rulers, those who see the secrets. Isaiah 29:9–10 (LES2) 

11 The entire vision will be to you like the words of a sealed book, which when they give it to the one who is literate, saying, “Please read this,” he will say, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” 12 Then the book will be given to the one who is illiterate, saying, “Please read this.” And he will say, “I cannot read.” 13 Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote, Isaiah 29:11–13 (NASB95) 

11 And all these sayings to you will be like the words of the sealed scroll, which if they give it to a person who understands letters and say, “Read these things!” he will say, “I am unable to read it, for it has been sealed.” 12 And this scroll will be given into the hands of a person who does not understand letters, and he will say to him, “Read this!” and he will say, “I do not understand letters.” 13 And the Lord said, “This people approaches me with their mouth, and with their lips they honor me, but their heart remains far from me. And they are pious to me pointlessly, teaching human rules and instructions. Isaiah 29:11–13 (LES2)

Verses 11 and 12 show much agreement. Verse 13 is quoted by Jesus in the New Testament in Matthew 15:8-9 and Mark 7:6-7. Although Mark’s quote is abbreviated, both quotes agree more with the LXX. The quote from Matthew is below.

8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” Matthew 15:8–9 (NKJV)

The same hypocrisy that Jesus condemned also existed in Isaiah’s time. The same judgment followed in both cases – the destruction of Jerusalem.

The Jews had parted ways with God, as was clearly revealed when their leaders rejected and murdered their Messiah (Acts 2:23), our Lord Jesus. One cannot hold on to the Father while at the same time rejecting his Son. (1 John 2:23) Rabbinic Jews who reject Christ no longer worship the true God.

14 Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed.” Isaiah 29:14 (NASB95) 

14 Because of this, Look! I will continue to change this people, and I will change them, and I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will hide the intelligence of the intelligent.” Isaiah 29:14 (LES2)

The MT says God will once again “deal marvelously,” but the LXX says God will “change” them. This is the Greek word metatithemi, which means to “transfer or transpose”. It is the same word used to describe what God did to Enoch when he transferred or relocated him from earth to heaven. (Genesis 5:24) The LXX, therefore, could be translated to say that God will relocate his people to Babylon. 

The next part of the verse was quoted by Paul.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 1 Corinthians 1:18–19 (NKJV)

Although two of the verbs are different in Paul’s quote of the LXX, the meaning is the same. He was paraphrasing from memory, it seems. The LXX and Paul’s quote agree, also, in having God be the agent of destroying and hiding the wisdom and understanding of the disobedient and unbelieving Jews. This agrees with other scriptures which indicates that God imposes spiritual blindness upon some, rendering them incapable of responding properly to his Spirit and Word (Romans 9:18). My understanding of this is that God simply leaves the reprobate to their own devices. Only those whom God actively draws to himself are capable of faith. (John 6:44)

15 Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?” 16 You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Isaiah 29:15–16 (NASB95) 

15 Woe to those who make a plan deeply, and their deeds will be in darkness, and they will say, “Who has seen us, and who will know us or what we are doing?” 16 Will you not be reckoned as the clay of the potter? Surely the shape will not say to the one who shapes it, “You did not shape me.” Or the thing made to the one who makes it, “You did not make me intelligently.” Isaiah 29:15–16 (LES2) 

17 Is it not yet just a little while Before Lebanon will be turned into a fertile field, And the fertile field will be considered as a forest? 18 On that day the deaf will hear words of a book, And out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. 19 The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the LORD, And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:17–19 (NASB95)

17 It is no longer a little while and Lebanon will be changed as Mount Carmel, and Carmel will be considered a forest. 18 And on that day deaf people will hear the words of a scroll, and the eyes of blind people will see in the darkness and in the fog, 19 and poor people will rejoice with cheer because of the Lord, and those people who are despairing will be filled with cheer. Isaiah 29:17–19 (LES2) 

This passage in both the MT and LXX points to Jesus. Our Lord paraphrased verses 18-19 and Isaiah 35:4-6.

2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:2–6 (NKJV)

20 For the ruthless will come to an end and the scorner will be finished, Indeed all who are intent on doing evil will be cut off; 21 Who cause a person to be indicted by a word, And ensnare him who adjudicates at the gate, And defraud the one in the right with meaningless arguments. Isaiah 29:20–21 (NASB95)

20 A lawless person has come to an end and an arrogant person has perished, and those acting lawlessly in vice have been utterly destroyed, 21 even those who make people sin in word. And they will set up an obstacle for all those who reprove in the gates because they have turned the righteous aside unjustly. Isaiah 29:20–21 (LES2)

22 Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: “Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now turn pale; 23 But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, They will sanctify My name; Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob And will stand in awe of the God of Israel. 24 “Those who err in mind will know the truth, And those who criticize will accept instruction. Isaiah 29:22–24 (NASB95)

22 Because of this, this is what the Lord says about the house of Jacob, which he set apart from Abraham: “Not now will Jacob be ashamed, and not now will his face change. 23 Rather, when their children see my deeds, they will sanctify my name because of me, and they will sanctify the holy one of Jacob, and they will fear the God of Israel.” 24 And those who wander by the wind will know understanding, and those who grumble will learn to listen, and the faltering tongues will learn to speak peace. Isaiah 29:22–24 (LES2)

9 “To whom would He teach knowledge, And to whom would He interpret the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just taken from the breast? 10 “For He says, ‘Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there.’ ” 11 Indeed, He will speak to this people Through stammering lips and a foreign tongue, 12 He who said to them, “Here is rest, give rest to the weary,” And, “Here is repose,” but they would not listen. 13 So the word of the LORD to them will be, “Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there,” That they may go and stumble backward, be broken, snared and taken captive. Isaiah 28:9–13 (NASB95)

9 To whom did we report evil things, and to whom did we report a message? Those who have been weaned from milk, who have been torn from the breast? 10 Accept “oppression upon oppression, hope upon hope, yet a little, yet a little,” 11 because of the contempt of lips, through a different tongue, because they will speak to this people, 12 saying to them, “This is the rest for the hungry, and this is the ruin.” And they did not want to hear it. 13 And the oracle of the Lord to them will be, “Oppression upon oppression, hope upon hope, yet a little, yet a little,” so that they should go and fall back and be crushed and in peril and captured. Isaiah 28:9–13 (LES2)

Here we have a clear example of how the MT obscures the pronouncement of a severe judgment against Israel. There is a quite a disparity between the MT’s “knowledge” and the LXX’s “evil.” Likewise there is a chasm between “interpret” and “report.” The MT takes us down a path that tries to skirt an oncoming freight train of judgment from God.

In verse 10, the MT says, “order on order” or “command upon command,” which is rather unintelligible, especially when compared to the clear voice of the LXX, which says, “oppression upon oppression.” The MT turns the LXX’s “hope upon hope” into “line upon line,” another rather meaningless saying. The LXX’s “yet a little, yet a little” becomes “a little here, a little there.” This last phrase in the LXX is one that is sometimes used to describe the quick approach of judgment. (Psalm 37:10, Isaiah 29:17, Jeremiah 51:33, and Hosea 1:4)

In verse 11, the MT says “stammering” lips will speak a foreign tongue, but the LXX says “contemptible” lips. Contempt is scorn directed at someone considered inferior. Apparently Isaiah meant the Babylonians, but Paul paraphrased this passage and interpreted it through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to apply to the gift of speaking in tongues, which those who do not understand often hold in contempt. 

21 In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord. 22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 1 Corinthians 14:21–22 (NKJV)

He concludes that such speaking is a sign to those who do not believe, as it was on Pentecost in the New Testament, just as the foreign tongue of the Babylonians were a sign of judgment to the Jews. The Jewish leaders did not want to hear the judgment of ruin (verse 12 in LXX).

For some reason, the MT agrees with the LXX in the last verse of this passage where Isaiah prophesied the destruction of the city and capture of the people.

14 Therefore, hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers, Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem, 15 Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.” Isaiah 28:14–15 (NASB95)

14 Because of this, hear the word of the Lord, you afflicted men and rulers of this people in Jerusalem. 15 Because you said, “We have made a covenant with Hades and treaties with death; if a rushing squall passes by, it will certainly not come upon us; we have made a lie our hope, and by a lie we will be protected.” Isaiah 28:14–15 (LES2)

16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. Isaiah 28:16 (NASB95) 

16 Because of this, this is what the lord Lord says: “Look, I am casting into [emballo]  the foundations [themelion] of Zion a precious [entimos] choice [eklektos] stone, a valuable [entimos] cornerstone [akroguniaios] into its foundations [themelion] , and the one who trusts [pisteuo] will certainly not be disgraced [kataischuno]. Isaiah 28:16 (LES2)

Peter paraphrases this passage from the LXX in his first letter. The second quote below is from Psalm 118:22, and the third is from Isaiah 8:14. Paul got much of his theology from the psalms and prophets, which is probably why the Masoretes changed these scriptures to such a degree. In addition, the prophetic is the voice of Jesus to the church. (Revelation 19:10)

6 For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I LAY [tithemi] IN ZION A CHOICE [eklektos] STONE, A PRECIOUS [entimos] CORNER stone [akrogoniaios], AND HE WHO BELIEVES [pisteuo] IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED [kataischuno].” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,” 8 and, “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 1 Peter 2:6–8 (NASB95)

Peter connects the Jews’ rejection of our Lord with coming judgment – “this doom to which they were appointed,” just as Isaiah prophesied concerning the nation. The disobedient and rebellious Jews would be put to shame, but those who put their faith in Jesus are promised that this will never happen to them in the ultimate sense, that is, before God. Men try to shame us for believing God and his Word, but we must reject such satanic accusations and cling to God’s promise of vindication.

17 “I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place. 18 “Your covenant with death will be canceled, And your pact with Sheol will not stand; When the overwhelming scourge passes through, Then you become its trampling place. 19 “As often as it passes through, it will seize you; For morning after morning it will pass through, anytime during the day or night, And it will be sheer terror to understand what it means.” 20 The bed is too short on which to stretch out, And the blanket is too small to wrap oneself in. 21 For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be stirred up as in the valley of Gibeon, To do His task, His unusual task, And to work His work, His extraordinary work. 22 And now do not carry on as scoffers, Or your fetters will be made stronger; For I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts Of decisive destruction on all the earth. Isaiah 28:17–22 (NASB95)

17 And I will turn judgment into hope, and my mercy into balances, and those who trust a lie pointlessly; for a storm will not pass by you, 18 lest it also take away your covenant of death; and your hope toward the netherworld will certainly not stand fast; if a rushing storm comes, you will become a trampling ground by it. 19 When it passes by, it will take hold of you. Early, early it will pass by during the day, and at night it will be an evil expectation. Learn to listen. 20 We are cramped, unable to fight, and we are too weak ourselves for us to be assembled. 21 Like a mountain of impious people, the Lord will rise up, and he will be in the ravine of Gibeon; he will do his deeds with wrath, a deed of bitterness. But his wrath will deal unfavorably, and his corruption unfavorably. 22 And you, may you not be cheerful or your bonds strong, because I have heard from the Lord Sabaoth about deeds that will be completed and cut short, that he will do against all the land. Isaiah 28:17–22 (LES2)

This is a challenging passage. The essential message seems to be that the storm of God’s judgment will not pass by the Jews. They will be “trampled” by it. In verse 19, the LXX says, “learn to listen.” They will be too weak to resist the judgment against the land. This judgment was demonstrated when Babylon captured them and then again when Rome did the job in 70 AD and 135 AD. Sadly, still there is no repentance, except for those elect Jews who have turned to Christ.

29 And as Isaiah said before: “Unless the LORD of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah.” Romans 9:29 (NKJV) 

1 In that day the LORD with His severe sword, great and strong, Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; And He will slay the reptile that is in the sea. Isaiah 27:1 (NKJV)

1 On that day God will bring the holy and great and mighty sword against the dragon, a fleeing serpent, against the dragon, a twisted serpent; he will slay the dragon. Isaiah 27:1 (LES2) 

The MT calls the sword of God “severe,” but the LXX says it is “holy.” I think it is the “sword of the Lord” mentioned in the New Testament, which is the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17) coming forth from the mouth of the Lord Jesus. (Revelation 2:16)

The MT identifies the great foe of the Lord as Leviathan, which in Hebrew means serpent, sea monster, or dragon. The LXX simply says it is the dragon, a fleeing, twisted serpent, which is easily identified with Satan.

9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Revelation 12:9–10 (NKJV) 

Satan is identified with a serpent in Genesis 3:1 and 2 Corinthians 11:3. Jesus said he saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning (Luke 10:18), which likely refers to the passage in Revelation 12. Eventually the dragon will be slain and cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:10) Apparently, the church will have a role to play in this event. (Romans 16:20)

2 In that day sing to her, “A vineyard of red wine! 3 I, the LORD, keep it, I water it every moment; Lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day. 4 Fury is not in Me. Who would set briers and thorns Against Me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. 5 Or let him take hold of My strength, That he may make peace with Me; And he shall make peace with Me.” Isaiah 27:2–5 (NKJV)

2 On that day a beautiful vineyard; a desire to begin with it. 3 I am a fortified city, a besieged city; I will water it pointlessly, for it will be captured by night, and by day the wall will fall. 4 There is no city that did not seize it. Who will assign me to guard a stalk in a field? I assigned it because of this warring city. Accordingly, because of this, the Lord did all that he ordained. I have been burned up. 5 Those who dwell in it will cry out, “Let us make peace!” Isaiah 27:2–5 (LES2)

6 Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob; Israel shall blossom and bud, And fill the face of the world with fruit. 7 Has He struck Israel as He struck those who struck him? Or has He been slain according to the slaughter of those who were slain by Him? 8 In measure, by sending it away, You contended with it. He removes it by His rough wind In the day of the east wind. 9 Therefore by this the iniquity of Jacob will be covered; And this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: When he makes all the stones of the altar Like chalkstones that are beaten to dust, Wooden images and incense altars shall not stand. Isaiah 27:6–9 (NKJV)

6 Those who come are children of Jacob; Israel will sprout and bloom, and the inhabited world will be filled with his fruit. 7 Would he also be struck just as he himself struck? And would he be slain just as he himself slayed? 8 Fighting and reproaching, he will send them away. Were you not trying by the harsh wind to slay them with a wind of wrath? 9 Because of this, the lawlessness of Jacob will be taken away. And this is his praise: When I take away his sin, when they make all the stones of the altars broken up like fine dust, and surely their trees will not remain, and their idols will be cut out just like a forest far away. Isaiah 27:6–9 (LES2)

Verse 6 is a reference to the church, those who are born of God by the Spirit and are the true children of Abraham. (Galatians 3:26-28) Those among the Jews who rejected Christ “will be sent away.” (verse 8)

Verse 9 returns to the New Covenant, saying that God will be praised by those who believe the gospel, which announces Christ’s taking away our sins. 

The eventual judgment of Jerusalem in 70 AD will “make all the stones of the altars like fine dust.” The trees will be cut down, as happened during that momentous siege. 

Titus ordered the systematic destruction of the surrounding environment to facilitate the Roman military operation. According to historical records, including the accounts preserved from the period, the Roman legions cut down all trees within a radius of 90 stadia—approximately fifteen kilometers—of the city.This scorched-earth policy transformed the once-fertile landscape around Jerusalem into a barren, desolate space, marking the final stages of the city’s destruction and the fulfillment of the encirclement that preceded the breach of the walls. [Gab AI]

10 Yet the fortified city will be desolate, The habitation forsaken and left like a wilderness; There the calf will feed, and there it will lie down And consume its branches. 11 When its boughs are withered, they will be broken off; The women come and set them on fire. For it is a people of no understanding; Therefore He who made them will not have mercy on them, And He who formed them will show them no favor. Isaiah 27:10–11 (NKJV)

10 The inhabited flock will be neglected, like an abandoned flock, and for a long time it will be a pasture, and there they will rest. 11 And after some time there will be nothing green in it, because it will be dried up. Women who come from a spectacle, come! For there is no people that has intelligence. Because of this, the one who made them will surely not have pity, and the one who formed them will surely not show mercy. Isaiah 27:10–11 (LES2) 

12 And it shall come to pass in that day That the LORD will thresh, From the channel of the River to the Brook of Egypt; And you will be gathered one by one, O you children of Israel. Isaiah 27:12 (NKJV)

12 And this will happen on that day: God will fence in the people from the channel of the river as far as the Rhinokorura. But as for you, gather the sons of Israel one by one. Isaiah 27:12 (LES2) 

13 So it shall be in that day: The great trumpet will be blown; They will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, And they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, And shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem. Isaiah 27:13 (NKJV)

13 And this will happen on that day: they will trumpet with the great trumpet, and those who have been destroyed in the territory of the Assyrians and those who have been destroyed in Egypt will come and bow down before the Lord on the holy mountain, Jerusalem. Isaiah 27:13 (LES2)