Isaiah 31:3

Translations

Modern

But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.

Traditional

Now 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.

Literal

For Egypt is is man and not God, and their horses are flesh and not Spirit. And YHWH stretches out His hand, and the helper will stumble, and the one being helped will fall, and together all of them will perish.

Latin

Ægyptus homo, et non deus; et equi eorum caro, et non spiritus; et Dominus inclinabit manum suam, et corruet auxiliator, et cadet cui præstatur auxilium, simulque omnes consumentur.

Original

Hebrew

English

But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.

Notes

Isaiah 31:1–3

Isaiah delivered another vision regarding Judah’s negotiations with Egypt, which probably took place in 705–701 BC. During that time, the conquering Assyrians were on the move, threatening Judah. At first, Hezekiah tried political and military means to avert being totally conquered (see 2 Kings 18:13–16).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Salvation in Isaiah Trusting in Human Strength

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Isaiah 9:17
Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
Ezekiel 20:33–34
As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath I will rule over you.
Ezekiel 28:9
Will you still say, ‘I am a god,’ in the presence of those who slay you? You will be only a man, not a god, in the hands of those who wound you.
Isaiah 30:7
Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.
Jeremiah 15:6
You have forsaken Me, declares the LORD. You have turned your back. So I will stretch out My hand against you and I will destroy you; I am weary of showing compassion.
Psalm 9:20
Lay terror upon them, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah
Psalm 33:17
A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.
Isaiah 36:6
Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
Deuteronomy 32:30–31
How could one man pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?
Jeremiah 37:7–10
“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says that you are to tell the king of Judah, who sent you to Me: Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which has marched out to help you, will go back to its own land of Egypt.
Isaiah 30:5
…everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them. They bring neither help nor benefit, but only shame and disgrace.”
Psalm 146:3–5
Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save.

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Flesh Isaiah, Book of Spirit of God Zedekiah

Topics

Confidence: False False Confidence in Outward Resources God: Jealous God: Power of Jealousy: Attributed to God Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments The Horse: The Jews: Condemned for Trusting To Trust: Woe and Curse of False

Isaiah 31:3

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