Isaiahchapter 31

9 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 140 cross-references outward and receives 145 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

Woe falls on those who go down to Egypt for help, relying on horses and chariots instead of looking to the Holy One of Israel (v. 1). The Egyptians are men and not God, their horses flesh and not spirit; when Jehovah stretches out his hand, helper and helped stumble and fall together (v. 3). Two images then govern the chapter: Jehovah of hosts comes down to fight on Mount Zion like a lion undismayed by a crowd of shepherds, and protects Jerusalem like birds hovering — he will pass over and preserve it (vv. 4–5). Israel is called to turn back to the one deeply revolted against, and in that day each man casts away his idols of silver and gold (vv. 6–7). The Assyrian falls by a sword not of man, his princes dismayed, for Jehovah's fire is in Zion and his furnace in Jerusalem (vv. 8–9).

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah!

2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evil-doers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.

3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit: and when Jehovah shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall stumble, and he that is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together.

4 For thus saith Jehovah unto me, As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds be called forth against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so will Jehovah of hosts come down to fight upon mount Zion, and upon the hill thereof.

5 As birds hovering, so will Jehovah of hosts protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it, he will pass over and preserve it.

6 Turn ye unto him from whom ye have deeply revolted, O children of Israel.

7 For in that day they shall cast away every man his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

8 And the Assyrian shall fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of men, shall devour him; and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall become subject to taskwork.

9 And his rock shall pass away by reason of terror, and his princes shall be dismayed at the ensign, saith Jehovah, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.

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