Isaiah

Isaiah 31:1–5

1Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,

who rely on horses,

who trust in their abundance of chariots

and in their multitude of horsemen.

They do not look to the Holy One of Israel;

they do not seek the LORD.

2Yet He too is wise and brings disaster;

He does not call back His words.

He will rise up against the house of the wicked

and against the allies of evildoers.

3But 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.

4For this is what the LORD has said to me:

“Like a lion roaring

or a young lion over its prey —

and though a band of shepherds is called out against it,

it is not terrified by their shouting

or subdued by their clamor —

so the LORD of Hosts will come down

to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.

5Like birds hovering overhead,

so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem.

He will shield it and deliver it;

He will pass over it and preserve it.”

Read all of Isaiah 31

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Isaiah 31:1

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Woeה֣וֹיhō·wInterjectionH1945 Ah, Alas, Ha
to those who go downהַיֹּרְדִ֤יםhay·yō·rə·ḏîmArticle; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralH3381 come or go down, descend
to Egyptמִצְרַ֙יִם֙miṣ·ra·yimNoun - proper - feminine singularH4714 Egypt, Egyptians
for helpלְעֶזְרָ֔הlə·‘ez·rāhPreposition-l; Noun - feminine singularH5833 help, succour, assistance
who relyיִשָּׁעֵ֑נוּyiš·šā·‘ê·nūVerb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralH8172 lean, support oneself
onעַל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
horsesסוּסִ֖יםsū·sîmNoun - masculine pluralH5483 swallow or swift
who trustוַיִּבְטְח֨וּway·yiḇ·ṭə·ḥūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH982 trust
inעַל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
their abundanceרָ֗בrāḇAdjective - masculine singularH7227 much, many, great
of chariotsרֶ֜כֶבre·ḵeḇNoun - masculine singularH7393 chariotry, chariot, mill-stone
and inוְעַ֤לwə·‘alConjunctive waw; PrepositionH5921 height
their multitudeמְאֹ֔דmə·’ōḏAdverbH3966 muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
of horsemenפָּֽרָשִׁים֙pā·rā·šîmNoun - masculine pluralH6571 horse, steed
They do notוְלֹ֤אwə·lōConjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
lookשָׁעוּ֙šā·‘ūVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralH8159 gaze
toעַל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
the Holyקְד֣וֹשׁqə·ḏō·wōšAdjective - masculine singular constructH6918 sacred, holy
One of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êlNoun - proper - masculine singularH3478 Israel
they do notלֹ֥אlōAdverb - Negative particleH3808 not
seekדָרָֽשׁוּ׃ḏā·rā·šūVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralH1875 resort to, seek
the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh

Isaiah 31:2

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Yetה֤וּאhūPronoun - third person masculine singularH1931 he, she
He tooוְגַם־wə·ḡam-ConjunctionH1571 also, moreover, yea
wiseחָכָם֙ḥā·ḵāmAdjective - masculine singularH2450 wise
and bringsוַיָּ֣בֵאway·yā·ḇêConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
disasterרָ֔עrā‘Adjective - masculine singularH7451 bad, evil
He does notלֹ֣אlōAdverb - Negative particleH3808 not
call backהֵסִ֑ירhê·sîrVerb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singularH5493 turn aside
His wordsדְּבָרָ֖יוdə·ḇā·rāwNoun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singularH1697 speech, word
He will rise upוְקָם֙wə·qāmConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH6965 arise, stand up, stand
againstעַל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
the houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯNoun - masculine singular constructH1004 house
of the wickedמְרֵעִ֔יםmə·rê·‘îmVerb - Hifil - Participle - masculine pluralH7489 be evil, bad
and againstוְעַל־wə·‘al-Conjunctive waw; PrepositionH5921 height
the alliesעֶזְרַ֖ת‘ez·raṯNoun - feminine singular constructH5833 help, succour, assistance
of evildoersפֹּ֥עֲלֵיpō·‘ă·lêVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructH6466 do, make

Isaiah 31:3

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
But the Egyptiansוּמִצְרַ֤יִםū·miṣ·ra·yimConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - feminine singularH4714 Egypt, Egyptians
are menאָדָם֙’ā·ḏāmNoun - masculine singularH120 man, mankind
notוְֽלֹא־wə·lō-Conjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
Godאֵ֔ל’êlNoun - masculine singularH410 god
their horsesוְסוּסֵיהֶ֥םwə·sū·sê·hemConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine pluralH5483 swallow or swift
are fleshבָּשָׂ֖רbā·śārNoun - masculine singularH1320 flesh
notוְלֹא־wə·lō-Conjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
spiritר֑וּחַrū·aḥNoun - common singularH7307 breath, wind, spirit
When the LORDוַֽיהוָ֞הYah·wehConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
stretches outיַטֶּ֣הyaṭ·ṭehVerb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH5186 stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
His handיָד֗וֹyā·ḏōwNoun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH3027 hand
the helperעוֹזֵר֙‘ō·w·zêrVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH5826 help, succour
will stumbleוְכָשַׁ֤לwə·ḵā·šalConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH3782 stumble, stagger, totter
and the one he helpsעָזֻ֔ר‘ā·zurVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singularH5826 help, succour
will fallוְנָפַ֣לwə·nā·p̄alConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH5307 fall, lie
bothכֻּלָּ֥םkul·lāmNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine pluralH3605 the whole, all
will perishיִכְלָיֽוּן׃סyiḵ·lā·yūnVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural; Paragogic nunH3615 be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, spent
togetherוְיַחְדָּ֖וwə·yaḥ·dāwConjunctive waw; AdverbH3162 unitedness

Isaiah 31:4

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Forכִּ֣יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
this is whatכֹ֣הḵōhAdverbH3541 thus, here
the LORDיְהוָ֣ה׀Yah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
has saidאָֽמַר־’ā·mar-Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
to meאֵלַ֡י’ê·layPreposition; first person common singularH413 motion to
Likeכַּאֲשֶׁ֣רka·’ă·šerPreposition-k; Pronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
a lionהָאַרְיֵ֨הhā·’ar·yêhArticle; Noun - masculine singularH738 lion
roaringיֶהְגֶּה֩yeh·gehVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH1897 moan, growl, utter, speak, muse
or a young lionוְהַכְּפִ֜ירwə·hak·kə·p̄îrConjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine singularH3715 young lion
overעַל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
its preyטַרְפּ֗וֹṭar·pōwNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH2964 prey, food; leaf
and thoughאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šerPronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
a bandמְלֹ֣אmə·lōNoun - masculine singular constructH4393 fulness, that which fills
of shepherdsרֹעִ֔יםrō·‘îmVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralH7462 pasture, tend, graze
is called outיִקָּרֵ֤אyiq·qā·rêVerb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH7121 call, proclaim, read
against itעָלָיו֙‘ā·lāwPreposition; third person masculine singularH5921 height
it is notלֹ֣אlōAdverb - Negative particleH3808 not
terrifiedיֵחָ֔תyê·ḥāṯVerb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH2865 be shattered, dismayed
by their shoutingמִקּוֹלָם֙miq·qō·w·lāmPreposition-m; Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine pluralH6963 sound, voice
or subduedיַֽעֲנֶ֑הya·‘ă·nehVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH6031 be occupied, busied with
by their clamorוּמֵֽהֲמוֹנָ֖םū·mê·hă·mō·w·nāmConjunctive waw, Preposition-m; Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine pluralH1995 sound, murmur, roar, crowd, abundance
soכֵּ֗ןkênAdverbH3651 right, veritable, honest
the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
of Hostsצְבָא֔וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯNoun - common pluralH6635 army, war, warfare
will come downיֵרֵד֙yê·rêḏVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH3381 come or go down, descend
to do battleלִצְבֹּ֥אliṣ·bōPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH6633 wage war, serve
onעַל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
Mountהַר־har-Noun - masculine singular constructH2022 mountain, hill, hill-country
Zionצִיּ֖וֹןṣî·yō·wnNoun - proper - feminine singularH6726 Zion
its heightsגִּבְעָתָֽהּ׃giḇ·‘ā·ṯāhNoun - feminine singular construct; third person feminine singularH1389 hill

Isaiah 31:5

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Like birdsכְּצִפֳּרִ֣יםkə·ṣip·po·rîmPreposition-k; Noun - common pluralH6833 bird
hovering overheadעָפ֔וֹת‘ā·p̄ō·wṯVerb - Qal - Participle - feminine pluralH5774 fly
soכֵּ֗ןkênAdverbH3651 right, veritable, honest
the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
of Hostsצְבָא֖וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯNoun - common pluralH6635 army, war, warfare
will protectיָגֵ֛ןyā·ḡênVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH1598 cover, surround, defend
Jerusalemיְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑םyə·rū·šā·limNoun - proper - feminine singularH3389 Jerusalem
He will shield itגָּנ֥וֹןgā·nō·wnVerb - Qal - Infinitive absoluteH1598 cover, surround, defend
and deliver itוְהִצִּ֖ילwə·hiṣ·ṣîlConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH5337 strip, plunder
He will pass over itפָּסֹ֥חַpā·sō·aḥVerb - Qal - Infinitive absoluteH6452 pass or spring over
and preserve itוְהִמְלִֽיט׃wə·him·lîṭConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH4422 slip away

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

Isaiah 31:1 Psalm 20:7 · Jeremiah 17:5 · Deuteronomy 17:16 · Jeremiah 2:13 · Isaiah 36:9 · Daniel 9:13 · Isaiah 30:16 · Psalm 33:16–17 · Isaiah 30:1–7 · Amos 5:4–8 · Isaiah 36:6 · Ezekiel 17:15

Isaiah 31:2 Numbers 23:19 · Isaiah 45:7 · Matthew 24:35 · Zephaniah 3:8 · Romans 16:27 · Jude 1:25 · Amos 3:6 · Jeremiah 10:12 · 1 Corinthians 1:21–29 · Joshua 23:15 · Ezekiel 29:6 · 1 Samuel 2:3

Isaiah 31:3 Isaiah 9:17 · Ezekiel 20:33–34 · Ezekiel 28:9 · Jeremiah 15:6 · Psalm 33:17 · Isaiah 30:7 · Psalm 9:20 · Isaiah 30:5 · Psalm 146:3–5 · Deuteronomy 32:30–31 · Jeremiah 37:7–10 · Isaiah 36:6

Isaiah 31:4 Amos 3:8 · Hosea 11:10 · Zechariah 2:5 · Isaiah 42:13 · Zechariah 12:8 · Zechariah 14:3 · Revelation 5:5 · 2 Chronicles 20:15 · Numbers 24:8–9 · Isaiah 12:6 · Jeremiah 50:44 · Zechariah 9:8

Isaiah 31:5 Psalm 91:4 · Psalm 37:40 · Deuteronomy 32:11 · Isaiah 38:6 · Isaiah 37:35 · Exodus 19:4 · Psalm 46:5 · Isaiah 10:14

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.