Isaiah 31:3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 31:1-5

This is the last of four chapters together that begin with woe; and they are all woes to the sinners that were found among the professing people of God, to the drunkards of Ephraim (Isa. 28:1), to Ariel (Isa. 29:1), to the rebellious children (Isa. 30:1), and here to those that go down to Egypt for help; for men's relation to the church will not secure them from divine woes if they live in contempt of divine laws. Observe, I. What the sin was that is here reproved, Isa. 31:1. 1. Idolizing the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 31:3

Now the Egyptians are men, and not God ,.... Be it that they are mighty, they are not mighty, as God is; and indeed they are but frail, feeble, mortal, and mutable men, and therefore not to be trusted in, and depended on; or to be put upon an equality with God, and even to be preferred to him, as they were by the Jews; and of what use and service could they be unto them, seeing God was against them? and their horses flesh, and not spirit ; only flesh, without an immortal soul or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 31:3

He that helpeth (the Egyptians) shall fall and he that is holpen (the Israelites) shall fall down-together. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:1-3

A FURTHER WARNING AGAINST SEEKING THE ALLIANCE OF EGYPT . This prophecy seems to be quite independent of the last ( Isaiah 30:1-7 ). It may have been given earlier or later. The chief point brought out, which had not distinctly appeared previously, is the value set on the horses and chariots of Egypt in the conflict with Assyria. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:1-5

The arm of flesh. How important is this subject we may gather from the fact that the prophet is inspired to return to it, and to reiterate his condemnation (see Isaiah 30:1 ). The disposition to lean on the arm of flesh instead of trusting in the living God is not Jewish, but bureau; not peculiar to any age or dispensation, but is an abiding spiritual peril. We learn here— I. THE FALLACY WHICH IT INVOLVES . 1. The Jews were trusting in numbers . Looking to the horses... read more

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 31:3

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 31:1-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 31:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 31:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:3

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

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

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