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Isaiah 31

BSB·9 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Woeה֣וֹיhō·w — Woe, alas, or lamentH1945 — Full Word Study → to those who go downהַיֹּרְדִ֤יםhay·yō·rə·ḏîm — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → to Egyptמִצְרַ֙יִם֙miṣ·ra·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study → for helpלְעֶזְרָ֔הlə·‘ez·rāh — help, assistance, aidH5833 — Full Word Study →, who relyיִשָּׁעֵ֑נוּyiš·šā·‘ê·nū — To lean on, rely upon, trust inH8172 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → horsesסוּסִ֖יםsū·sîm — horse; swift creatureH5483 — Full Word Study →, who trustוַיִּבְטְח֨וּway·yiḇ·ṭə·ḥū — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → inעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → their abundanceרָ֗בrāḇ — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → of chariotsרֶ֜כֶבre·ḵeḇ — chariot; war vehicleH7393 — Full Word Study → and inוְעַ֤לwə·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → their multitudeמְאֹ֔דmə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → of horsemenפָּֽרָשִׁים֙pā·rā·šîm — Horseman; cavalry soldier or mounted warriorH6571 — Full Word Study →. They do notוְלֹ֤אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → lookשָׁעוּ֙šā·‘ū — to gaze, look, regard with attentionH8159 — Full Word Study → toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the Holyקְד֣וֹשׁqə·ḏō·wōš — Set apart, consecrated, sacredH6918 — Full Word Study → One of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →; they do notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seekדָרָֽשׁוּ׃ḏā·rā·šū — to seek, inquire, search diligentlyH1875 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 2Yetה֤וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → He tooוְגַם־wə·ḡam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → is wise and bringsוַיָּ֣בֵאway·yā·ḇê — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → disasterרָ֔עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →; He does notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → call backהֵסִ֑ירhê·sîr — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → His wordsדְּבָרָ֖יוdə·ḇā·rāw — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →. He will rise upוְקָם֙wə·qām — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the wickedמְרֵעִ֔יםmə·rê·‘îm — to break, spoil, or do evilH7489 — Full Word Study → and againstוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the alliesעֶזְרַ֖ת‘ez·raṯ — help, assistance, aidH5833 — Full Word Study → of evildoersפֹּ֥עֲלֵיpō·‘ă·lê — to do, work, make, performH6466 — Full Word Study →. 3But the Egyptiansוּמִצְרַ֤יִםū·miṣ·ra·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study → are menאָדָם֙’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →, notוְֽלֹא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → Godאֵ֔ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →; their horsesוְסוּסֵיהֶ֥םwə·sū·sê·hem — horse; swift creatureH5483 — Full Word Study → are fleshבָּשָׂ֖רbā·śār — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study →, notוְלֹא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → spiritר֑וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study →. When the LORDוַֽיהוָ֞הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → stretches outיַטֶּ֣הyaṭ·ṭeh — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → His handיָד֗וֹyā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, the helperעוֹזֵר֙‘ō·w·zêr — to help, aid, supportH5826 — Full Word Study → will stumbleוְכָשַׁ֤לwə·ḵā·šal — to stumble, fall, or collapseH3782 — Full Word Study →, and the one he helpsעָזֻ֔ר‘ā·zur — to help, aid, supportH5826 — Full Word Study → will fallוְנָפַ֣לwə·nā·p̄al — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →; bothכֻּלָּ֥םkul·lām — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → will perishיִכְלָיֽוּן׃סyiḵ·lā·yūn — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → togetherוְיַחְדָּ֖וwə·yaḥ·dāw — together, united, as oneH3162 — Full Word Study →. 4Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → this is whatכֹ֣הḵōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣ה׀Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has saidאָֽמַר־’ā·mar- — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to meאֵלַ֡י’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →: “Likeכַּאֲשֶׁ֣רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → a lionהָאַרְיֵ֨הhā·’ar·yêh — A lion; fierce predatorH738 — Full Word Study → roaringיֶהְגֶּה֩yeh·geh — to mutter, meditate, speak quietlyH1897 — Full Word Study → or a young lionוְהַכְּפִ֜ירwə·hak·kə·p̄îr — Young lion; fierce strength and dangerH3715 — Full Word Study → overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → its preyטַרְפּ֗וֹṭar·pōw — Prey; food torn apartH2964 — Full Word Study →and thoughאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → a bandמְלֹ֣אmə·lō — Fullness, abundance, or that which fillsH4393 — Full Word Study → of shepherdsרֹעִ֔יםrō·‘îm — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study → is called outיִקָּרֵ֤אyiq·qā·rê — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → against itעָלָיו֙‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, it is notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → terrifiedיֵחָ֔תyê·ḥāṯ — to be dismayed, terrified, or beaten downH2865 — Full Word Study → by their shoutingמִקּוֹלָם֙miq·qō·w·lām — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → or subduedיַֽעֲנֶ֑הya·‘ă·neh — To afflict, humble, or oppress; to treat harshlyH6031 — Full Word Study → by their clamorוּמֵֽהֲמוֹנָ֖םū·mê·hă·mō·w·nām — Crowd, tumult, noise, abundanceH1995 — Full Word Study →soכֵּ֗ןkên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֔וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → will come downיֵרֵד֙yê·rêḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → to do battleלִצְבֹּ֥אliṣ·bō — to serve, muster for war, perform dutyH6633 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Mountהַר־har- — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study → Zionצִיּ֖וֹןṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study → and its heightsגִּבְעָתָֽהּ׃giḇ·‘ā·ṯāh — hill, elevated terrainH1389 — Full Word Study →. 5Like birdsכְּצִפֳּרִ֣יםkə·ṣip·po·rîm — Bird or fowlH6833 — Full Word Study → hovering overheadעָפ֔וֹת‘ā·p̄ō·wṯ — to fly; to faint or grow wearyH5774 — Full Word Study →, soכֵּ֗ןkên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֖וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → will protectיָגֵ֛ןyā·ḡên — to defend, protect, shieldH1598 — Full Word Study → Jerusalemיְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑םyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. He will shield itגָּנ֥וֹןgā·nō·wn — to defend, protect, shieldH1598 — Full Word Study → and deliver itוְהִצִּ֖ילwə·hiṣ·ṣîl — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study →; He will pass over itפָּסֹ֥חַpā·sō·aḥ — To pass over; to spare; to limpH6452 — Full Word Study → and preserve itוְהִמְלִֽיט׃wə·him·lîṭ — to escape, deliver, or save from dangerH4422 — Full Word Study →.” 6Returnשׁ֗וּבוּšū·ḇū — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → to the Oneלַאֲשֶׁ֛רla·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → against whom you have so blatantlyהֶעְמִ֥יקוּhe‘·mî·qū — to be deep, deepen, or make profoundH6009 — Full Word Study → rebelledסָרָ֖הsā·rāh — rebellion, revolting against authorityH5627 — Full Word Study →, O childrenבְּנֵ֥יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 7Forכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → on thatהַה֔וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, every oneאִ֚ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → of you will rejectיִמְאָס֗וּןyim·’ā·sūn — to reject, despise, or spurn with contemptH3988 — Full Word Study → the idolsאֱלִילֵ֣י’ĕ·lî·lê — Idol; worthless thing; false godH457 — Full Word Study → of silverכַסְפּ֔וֹḵas·pōw — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → and goldזְהָב֑וֹzə·hā·ḇōw — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → your own handsיְדֵיכֶ֖םyə·ḏê·ḵem — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → have sinfullyחֵֽטְא׃ḥêṭ — sin, transgression, or guiltH2399 — Full Word Study → madeעָשׂ֥וּ‘ā·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →. 8Then Assyriaאַשּׁוּר֙’aš·šūr — Assyria, ancient empireH804 — Full Word Study → will fallוְנָפַ֤לwə·nā·p̄al — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →, but notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → by the swordבְּחֶ֣רֶבbə·ḥe·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study → of manאִ֔ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →; a swordוְחֶ֥רֶבwə·ḥe·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study → will devour themתֹּֽאכֲלֶ֑נּוּtō·ḵă·len·nū — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →, but notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → one made by mortalsאָדָ֖ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →. They will fleeוְנָ֥סwə·nās — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → beforeמִפְּנֵי־mip·pə·nê- — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the swordחֶ֔רֶבḥe·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study →, and their young menוּבַחוּרָ֖יוū·ḇa·ḥū·rāw — Young man, youth, chosen oneH970 — Full Word Study → will be putיִהְיֽוּ׃yih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → to forced laborלָמַ֥סlā·mas — Forced labor, taskmaster, or tribute-bearerH4522 — Full Word Study →. 9Their rockוְסַלְעוֹ֙wə·sal·‘ōw — Rock; cliff; stone fortressH5553 — Full Word Study → will pass awayיַֽעֲב֔וֹרya·‘ă·ḇō·wr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → for fearמִמָּג֣וֹרmim·mā·ḡō·wr — Terror, dread, or overwhelming fearH4032 — Full Word Study →, and their princesשָׂרָ֑יוśā·rāw — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study → will panicוְחַתּ֥וּwə·ḥat·tū — to be dismayed, terrified, or beaten downH2865 — Full Word Study → at the sight of the battle standard,” declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, whoseאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → fireא֥וּר’ūr — Fire; light; flameH217 — Full Word Study → is in Zionבְּצִיּ֔וֹןbə·ṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study →, whose furnaceוְתַנּ֥וּרwə·ṯan·nūr — Oven; furnace for baking or heatingH8574 — Full Word Study → is in Jerusalemבִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃סbî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Isaiah 31
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Chapter Overview

Isaiah 31 is a powerful rebuke of Judah's misplaced trust in human military alliances and a stirring promise of God's sovereign protection. The prophet condemns the nation's reliance on Egypt for help against the Assyrian threat, urging them instead to trust in the Holy One of Israel. Throughout this chapter, Isaiah contrasts the weakness of human strength—horses, chariots, and armies—with the unstoppable power of God. The passage culminates in a glorious vision of God's defense of Jerusalem and Zion, assuring believers that divine deliverance far surpasses any earthly military might.

Verses 1-3: The Folly of Trusting in Egypt

Isaiah opens with a solemn woe, pronouncing judgment on those who "go down to Egypt for help" rather than seeking the Lord. Judah's political leaders were tempted to form an alliance with Egypt against the powerful Assyrian Empire, believing Egyptian horses and chariots would secure their safety. However, the prophet exposes the fundamental error: they are looking not unto the Holy One of Israel (verse 1). This is not primarily a political miscalculation—it is spiritual rebellion.

Verse 2 reveals God's response: He is wise and will execute judgment. His word stands, and He will "arise against the house of the evildoers." Verses 3 clarifies the core problem: "The Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit." No matter how impressive human military resources appear, they are temporal and limited. When God stretches out His hand, both the helper and the helped will fall together. Trust in human power, however mighty, is ultimately futile.

Application: We are constantly tempted to trust in worldly solutions—wealth, influence, technology, human expertise—instead of running first to God. Isaiah reminds us that all earthly power is flesh, not spirit, and will ultimately fail.

Verses 4-5: The Promise of God's Defense

Here Isaiah shifts to glorious affirmation. God compares His defense of Mount Zion to a lion protecting its prey. When shepherds gather to threaten the lion, it does not cower or back down—it stands firm in its strength. Similarly, the Lord of hosts will defend Jerusalem with unshakeable resolve (verse 4). This image emphasizes both God's power and His protective purpose toward His covenant people.

Verse 5 adds another beautiful picture: "As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem." The image of birds suggests swiftness, vigilance, and tender care. God will both defend and deliver, "passing over" (echoing the Passover deliverance in Egypt) to preserve His people. The contrast is stark: while Egypt's horses are merely flesh, God Himself becomes Jerusalem's champion.

Application: Believers can rest in God's protection, not because circumstances guarantee safety, but because God's character guarantees His faithfulness. Our security rests in His omnipotence and covenant love.

Verses 6-9: Repentance and Final Judgment

Verse 6 calls Israel to repent: "Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted." This is the condition for receiving God's promised protection—genuine return to Him. Verse 7 describes a renunciation of idolatry: in that future day of restoration, "every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold." True turning to God means abandoning false gods.

Verses 8-9 foretell Assyria's defeat—not by human hand, but by God's judgment. The Assyrian king will fall by "the sword, not of a mighty man" and will flee in fear. His princes will be terrified by the ensign (standard or flag) of the Lord, for "his fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem." God's holy presence in Zion becomes the instrument of enemy defeat.

Application: Repentance and faith position us to receive God's protection and to witness His power against our spiritual enemies.

Application for Today

Isaiah 31 calls modern believers to examine where we truly place our trust. Do we seek God first, or do we run to human solutions while treating prayer as a backup plan? This chapter invites us to abandon idols—whether possessions, status, or self-reliance—and to rest in God's sovereign protection and infinite wisdom. When we turn fully to Him, we discover that His defense of us is far more reliable than any earthly security we could construct.

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