Isaiah 31

A woe denounced against the Jews that went to seek for help in Egypt, and sought not unto the Lord, vers.1. The Lord promiseth that he will protect Jerusalem, 4 if they should turn unto him, 6. And that he will smite Assur, and put him to flight, 7.

1. Wo to them that go down into Egypt for help, [This did those of Jerusalem (for help) to wit, against Sennacherib the King of Assyria. Compare 2 Kings 18.vers.21,24.] and stay upon horses, [meaning the strong horses of Egypt, as appeareth vers.3.] and trust in charets, because there are many, and in horsemen, because they are very strong. [Compare Psal.20.8. Jerem.17.5.] and look not unto the holy One of Israel. See above chap.29.vers.19.] neither seek the LORD. [to wit, by prayer, or ask not counsel of him.]

2. Yet he [To wit, the Lord also is wise [no less, but much more then you. As if the prophet had said, the Lord knoweth well enough how to execute his judgements and threatening, although the Jews do invent and devise all kind of means o escape. If they were wise, they would enquire and ask counsel of him] and he causeth evil to come, [that is, judgements and plagues upon the disobedient] and drawneth not back his words: [but performeth whatever he threateneth] but he will get him up against the house of the evil doers, [that is, against the wicked and disobedient Jews] and against the help of them that work iniquity. [Meaning the Egyptians that should come to help the Jews.]

3. For the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses are flesh and not spirit; and the LORD shall stretch out his hand [Or, turn to incline] his hand, (so) that the helper shall stumble, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they shall come to nothing altogether.

4. For thus said the LORD unto me, like as a Lion and a young lion roareth upon his prey, when a full multitude of shepherds [Or, a great number of Shepherds, Heb. The fullness of shepherds; that is, all the shepherds that are thereabouts] is called together against him, he is not afraid of their voice, nor bumbleth himself because of their multitude: [or because there is a great number of them. Others, because of the stir] so shall the LORD of hosts come down, [to wit, from heaven] to fight [to wit, against the Assyrians] for mount Zion, [that is, for Jerusalem, or for his people. See the accomplishment, 2 Kings 19:35. Others upon mount Zion, and for the hill thereof, [or, upon the hill thereof. Understand here by this hill mount Moria, whereon the temple stood: it was called the hill of Zion, because it was lower and less then mount Zion, whereon the city of David lay.]

5. As birds flying, [Others as birds fly (round about their nest) to wit, to defend it] so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem. Compare Deut.32.11,12.] defending he will also deliver it, passing through, [or passing over, leaping over. In the Hebrew the same word is used, from whence Paschar, that is, passage, or passing over is derived: Understand then this, so he shall destroy the Assyrians in after-time, to wit, in one night, as he did the Egyptians in former time, Exod.12.12, etc.] he will also help it out, [or, he will help them out: to wit, the citizens of Jerusalem.]

6. Turn ye [Or, return; to wit, the backsliders among the Jews] unto him [to wit, unto the Lord, whom ye have greatly offended] from whom the children of Israel have deeply [that is, greatly, wide, far] revolted: [Heb. That made the departure, or, revolting deep.]

7. For in that day [To wit, when the Lord shall visit them by the Assyrians that shall come to fight against them] shall they cast away every man his silver Idols, and his golden idols, [because they will see and perceive that they are not able to help them. Heb. The Idols of his silver, and the idols of his gold, as above chap.30.vers.22.] which your (own) hands had made unto you (for) a sin.

8. And Assur [That is, the Assyrians] shall fall by the sword, not of a man, [but by the sword of the Angel. See 2 Kings 19:35.] and the sword not of a man shall devour him: and he shall flee from the sword, [to wit, from the sword of the Angel. Heb. From the face of the sword] and his young men shall melt away. [Heb. Shall be for a melting. That is, their hearts shall tremble and melt away in their bodies for anguish and fear. Some do render this eighth verse thus; then shall Assur fall by the sword not of a mighty man, and the sword not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, (that is, for fear of the sword) and his young men shall be brought under tribute.]

9. And he [To wit, the King of Assyria] shall for fear pass through (toward) his rock, [or, to his rock; that is, by shall flee toward his strong city Nineveh. See 2 Kin.19.36. Others, and their rock shall depart for fear] and his princes shall be afraid [or, fall down, to be destroyed] of the Banner: [that is, of the token of the battle, which the Angel shall give them, or, of the Angel of the Lord, who shall pursue them as with a banner or standard that is set up] saith the LORD who hath a fire at Zion, and a furnace at Jerusalem. [That is, who dwelleth at Zion, and keepeth house at Jerusalem: and who consequently will not suffer the Assyrians to thrust him out of his dwelling.]