Isaiah 31:1-3

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 31:1

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help ,.... Or, "O ye that go down", &c.; what poor foolish creatures are you! And in the end what miserable and wretched ones will ye be! Such were the Jewish rulers and people, who either went themselves, or sent ambassadors to the king of Egypt, to supply them with men and horses against the king of Assyria, contrary to the express command of God, which forbid them returning to Egypt; and which showed their unmindfulness of deliverance from thence,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 31:2

Yet he also is wise ,.... That is, God, the Holy One of Israel, is, whom they disregarded; and wiser too than the Egyptians, to whom they sought for help, and who were thought to be a wise and political people; and wiser than themselves, who imagined they acted a prudent part, in applying to them; so wise as to know all their schemes, and able to confound them, as well as most certainly and fully to complete his own; and it would have been therefore the highest wisdom to have sought to... 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 31:1

Wo to them that go down to Egypt - This is a reproof to the Israelites for forming an alliance with the Egyptians, and not trusting in the Lord. And stay on horses "Who trust in horses" - For ועל veal , and upon, first twenty MSS. of Kennicott's, thirty of De Rossi's, one of my own, and the Septuagint, Arabic, and Vulgate, read על al , upon, without the conjunction, which disturbs the sense. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 31:2

His words "His word" - דברו debaro , singular, without י yod , two MSS. of Dr. Kennicott's the Septuagint, and Targ. Hieros. דרכיו derachaiv , his ways, is found in one MS. 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

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help (comp. Isaiah 30:1 , Isaiah 30:2 ; and see also the earlier prophecy, Isaiah 20:2-6 ). The examples of Samaria, Gaza, and Ashdod might well have taught the lesson of distrust of Egypt, without any Divine warnings. But the Jews were infatuated, and relied on Egypt despite her previous failures to give effective aid. And stay on horses . The Assyrian cavalry was very numerous, and very efficient. It is often represented on the monuments.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:1

Wrong sources of help. "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help." Egypt is used in Scripture as a symbol of all foreign worldly powers. It represented carnal force—"trusting in chariots, horses, and horsemen, because they are very strong." "Looking," as the same verse says, "to them," and not looking unto the Holy One of Israel. I. WOE , BECAUSE GOD HAS SAID IT . He is wise, and knows the end from the beginning. We are dazzled with the show of power. The neighing of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 31:1

Names for God. Here the Lord, or Jehovah, is called the "Holy One of Israel." When the mysterious name "Jehovah" was given, another name, suited for more familiar use, was commended, even this, "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Instructive suggestions come from placing these three names together, as representing I. "I AM " ( YEHVEH ); OR , GOD ABSOLUTE . 1. This name in truth involves the namelessness of God. It is as if he had said to Moses, "You ask for my Name.... read more

Group of Brands