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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:2-3

The folly of trusting in an arm of flesh. "Put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man ," says the psalmist ( Psalms 146:3 ); " for there is no help in them." All human props are uncertain— I. BECAUSE OF HUMAN CHANGEFULNESS . Men do not continue always of one mind. They make promises, and regret that they have made them, and find some way of escaping their force, or else boldly break them with a cynical disregard to what others may think or say. Their interests... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:3

Now the Egyptians are men, and not God . Judah relied on Pharaoh, as on a sort of God, which indeed he was considered in his own country. Isaiah asserts the contrary in the strongest way: the Egyptians, one and all, are men—mere men; and "there is no help in them" ( Psalms 146:3 ). Their horses flesh, and not spirit . The horses, on which so much reliance was placed, were mere animals, subject to all the weakness of the animal nature, not spirit-horses, with a life and vigor of their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:3

The help of Egypt. A party in Judah is negotiating with Egypt; and the prophet points out the falseness of this policy. I. IT IS A RELIANCE UPON BRUTE FORCE . "Horses" are symbolic of martial strength. And Judah, being peculiarly deficient in cavalry, was " tempted to trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen" ( Isaiah 36:8 , Isaiah 36:9 ). Famed in Homer was Egyptian Thebes, with the hundred gates, and the two hundred men who issued forth from each with horses and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 31:2

Yet he also is wise - God is wise. It is in vain to attempt to deceive him, or to accomplish such purposes without his knowledge.And will bring evil - The punishment which is due to such want of confidence in him.But will arise against the house of the evil-doers - This is a general proposition, and it is evidently just as true now as it was in the time of Isaiah. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 31:3

Now the Egyptians are men - They are nothing but people; they have no power but such as other people possess. The idea here is, that the case in reference to which they sought aid was one in which “divine” help was indispensable, and that, therefore, they relied on the aid of the Egyptians in vain.And their horses flesh, and not spirit - There is need, not merely of “physical” strength, but of wisdom, and intelligence, and it is in vain to look for that in mere brutes.Both he that helpeth -... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 31:1-3

Isaiah 31:1-3. Wo to them that go down to Egypt, &c. As the Jews did, contrary to God’s command, Deuteronomy 17:16. And stay on horses For Egypt had many and choice horses. But they look not unto the Lord Their confidence in the creature was accompanied with, and produced, a distrust of God, and a neglect of seeking to him by prayer for his help. Yet he also is wise, &c. You think you are wise, in engaging the Egyptians; but God is not inferior to them in wisdom or strength, but... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 31:1-9

Egypt cannot save Judah (31:1-9)Isaiah again condemns the Judeans for relying on Egypt instead of on God. The Judeans think they are wise, but actually they are foolish. Real wisdom rests with God, and he knows best how to overthrow Assyria. As for Egypt, it will be defeated, and when it falls, Judah also will fall (31:1-3).Judah should learn to trust in God. A lion is not terrified by the shouts of shepherds, and God is not terrified by the threats of the Assyrians. He will protect Jerusalem... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 31:2

evil. evildoers. Hebrew. ra'a' . App-44 . iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 31:3

men, and not GOD. Figure of speech Pleonasm . The statement put two ways for great emphasis (positive and negative). men. Hebrew. 'ddam. App-14 . GOD. Hebrew El = the mighty God. App-4 . flesh, and not spirit. Figure of speech Pleonasm . See above. spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Isaiah 31:2

"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.""He also is wise ..." (Isaiah 31:2). This is a sarcastic remark, roughly equivalent to this, "Well, perhaps you wise men should remember that God also has some intelligence." Furthermore, God will not have to revise what he says every time the situation changes! "This is intense irony. Wisdom is not wholly confined to... read more

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