Isaiah 31

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 31

1¶ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay 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 the LORD!

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

3Now the Egyptians [are] men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

4For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, [he] will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

5As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver [it; and] passing over he will preserve it.

6¶ Turn ye unto [him from] whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.

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

8Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.

9And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire [is] in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Isaiah 31 pronounces a woe upon those who seek help from Egypt, trusting in their military might rather than the Lord. The prophet declares that Egypt is merely human and will fail, while God, who is wise, will bring judgment upon evildoers. Nevertheless, the Lord promises to defend Jerusalem like a lion and flying birds, ultimately calling Israel to turn from their idolatry.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with a strong condemnation of Israel's reliance on Egypt for military assistance, emphasizing their failure to seek the Holy One of Israel. The prophet asserts that while God is wise and will execute His judgments against those who work iniquity, Egypt's strength is merely human and and will prove futile. The Lord promises to defend Jerusalem with the fierce resolve of a lion and the protective care of flying birds. He calls for the children of Israel to repent from their deep rebellion and cast away their idols. Ultimately, the Assyrian foe will fall, not by human strength, but by a divine sword, demonstrating the Lord's supreme power and protection over Zion.

Long Summary

Isaiah 31 opens with a stern "woe" directed at those in Israel who seek aid from Egypt, trusting in their chariots, horses, and horsemen, rather than looking to the Lord. The prophet highlights their spiritual failing in neglecting the Holy One of Israel. He then declares that God, who is wise, will indeed bring forth judgment and will not retract His words, rising against both the evildoers and their unrighteous helpers. A stark contrast is drawn: Egyptians are mere men, not God, and their horses are flesh, not spirit, signifying their inevitable downfall when the Lord acts. The chapter vividly portrays God's unwavering commitment to defend Jerusalem, likening His protection to a lion roaring over its prey, undeterred by a multitude, and to birds flying protectively overhead. Amidst these declarations of divine judgment and defense, a call to repentance is issued for the children of Israel, urging them to return from their deep rebellion. A future day is foretold when individuals will cast away their idols of silver and gold, recognizing them as sources of sin. The chapter concludes with a prophecy of the Assyrian's defeat, emphasizing that their fall will not be by the sword of a mighty or mean man, but by divine intervention, causing them to flee in fear. This demonstrates the Lord's power, whose "fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem."

Core Concepts

  • Trust in Man vs. GodThe central theme, contrasting reliance on Egypt's military might with the necessity of seeking and trusting the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.
  • Divine JudgmentGod's wisdom is highlighted as He brings evil (calamity or judgment) upon those who work iniquity and trust in human strength, and He will not call back His words.
  • God's Defense of ZionThe Lord promises to protect Jerusalem with fierce resolve, depicted through the imagery of a lion defending its prey and birds flying protectively overhead.
  • Repentance and IdolatryIsrael is called to turn from their deep rebellion and to cast away their idols of silver and gold, which are identified as a source of sin.
  • Egypt's FutilityThe chapter explicitly states that Egyptians are men, not God, and their horses are flesh, not spirit, emphasizing their inherent weakness and inability to truly help.
  • Assyria's DownfallThe prophecy assures that the Assyrian empire will fall, not by human military power, but by a divine sword, signifying God's ultimate sovereignty and protection over Zion.