Isaiah31
New International Version
1Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.
2Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster; he does not take back his words. He will rise up against that wicked nation, against those who help evildoers.
3But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, those who help will stumble, those who are helped will fall; all will perish together.
4This is what the Lord says to me: “As a lion growls, a great lion over its prey— and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against it, it is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamor— so the Lord Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.
5Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.”
6Return, you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against.
7For in that day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made.
8“Assyria will fall by no human sword; a sword, not of mortals, will devour them. They will flee before the sword and their young men will be put to forced labor.
9Their stronghold will fall because of terror; at the sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic,” declares the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 31.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The sin and folly of seeking help from Egypt. (1-5). God's care for Jerusalem. (6-9).
vv1-5
God will oppose the help sought from workers of iniquity. Sinners may be convicted of folly by plain and self-evident truths, which they cannot deny, but will not believe. There is no escaping the judgments of God; and evil pursues sinners. The Lord of hosts will come down to fight for Mount Zion. The Lion of the tribe of Judah will appear for the defence of his church. And as birds hovering over their young ones to protect them, with such compassion and affection will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. He will so defend it, as to secure its safety.
vv6-9
They have been backsliding children, yet children; let them return, and their backslidings shall be healed, though they have sunk deep into misery, and cannot easily recover. Many make an idol of their silver and gold, and by the love of that are drawn from God; but those who turn to God, will be ready to part with it. Then, when they have cast away their idols, shall the Assyrian fall by the sword of an angel, who strikes more strongly than a mighty man, yet more secretly than a mean man. God can make the stoutest heart to tremble. But if we keep up the fire of holy love and devotion in our hearts and houses, we may depend upon God to protect us and them.
Key Words
הוֹי: oh!
יָרַד: to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications)
מִצְרַיִם: Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
עֶזְרָה: aid
שָׁעַן: to support one's self
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סוּס: a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight)
בָּטַח: figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
רֶכֶב: a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the upper millstone
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Isaiah 31Explicit prohibition against going down to Egypt to multiply horses.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Contrast of human wisdom with God who does not lie or 'call back his words'.
Supported by JFB
Verb for 'passing over' (pesach) directly echoes the sparing of Israel at Passover.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct thematic parallel: trusting in chariots and horses versus the name of God.
Supported by JFB
The immediately preceding context condemning the embassy to Egypt for military alliance.
Supported by John Calvin
Contrasts trusting in mortal princes (flesh) with trusting in the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the roaring lion metaphor representing God's powerful, dramatic intervention.
Supported by JFB
The image of birds hovering to protect their young matches the Lord protecting Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historical destruction of Sennacherib's army by the angel (not human sword).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical background showing Egypt as the primary ancient source for horses.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Expresses trust in God over fear of what mortal 'flesh' can do.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates gold and silver idols made 'unto you for a sin'.
Supported by JFB
Connects Jerusalem as the altar-hearth ('furnace') with the name 'Ariel'.
Supported by JFB
Records the immediate retreat of Sennacherib back to Nineveh after the plague.
Supported by JFB