Isaiah 31:1
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
Original Language Analysis
הַיֹּרְדִ֤ים
to them that go down
H3381
הַיֹּרְדִ֤ים
to them that go down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
2 of 26
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַיִּבְטְח֨וּ
and trust
H982
וַיִּבְטְח֨וּ
and trust
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
8 of 26
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֶ֜כֶב
in chariots
H7393
רֶ֜כֶב
in chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
10 of 26
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רָ֗ב
because they are many
H7227
רָ֗ב
because they are many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
12 of 26
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְעַ֤ל
H5921
וְעַ֤ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פָּֽרָשִׁים֙
and in horsemen
H6571
פָּֽרָשִׁים֙
and in horsemen
Strong's:
H6571
Word #:
14 of 26
a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָצְמ֣וּ
strong
H6105
עָצְמ֣וּ
strong
Strong's:
H6105
Word #:
16 of 26
to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones
מְאֹ֔ד
because they are very
H3966
מְאֹ֔ד
because they are very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁעוּ֙
but they look
H8159
שָׁעוּ֙
but they look
Strong's:
H8159
Word #:
19 of 26
to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewil
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
קְד֣וֹשׁ
not unto the Holy One
H6918
קְד֣וֹשׁ
not unto the Holy One
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
21 of 26
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
22 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
24 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Psalms 20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.Jeremiah 17:5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.Deuteronomy 17:16But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.Jeremiah 2:13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.Daniel 9:13As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.Isaiah 36:9How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?Isaiah 30:16But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.Isaiah 36:6Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.Isaiah 9:13For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.Ezekiel 17:15But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?
Historical Context
In the late 8th century BC, Assyria dominated the Near East. Egypt, though weakened, still projected military strength. When Assyria threatened Judah, King Hezekiah's advisors advocated an Egyptian alliance (Isaiah 30:1-7). Egypt's cavalry was renowned, tempting small nations to seek protection. But Egypt repeatedly proved an unreliable ally—'a bruised reed' that pierces the hand (Isaiah 36:6).
Questions for Reflection
- What modern equivalents of 'horses and chariots' tempt you to trust in human strength rather than God?
- How does seeking legitimate help become sinful when it displaces trust in God?
- What does it practically mean to 'seek the LORD' instead of defaulting to worldly solutions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help (הוֹי הַיֹּרְדִים מִצְרַיִם לְעֶזְרָה, hoy hayordim Mitsrayim le'ezrah)—the seventh woe pronounces judgment on those יָרַד (yarad, going down) to מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, Egypt) for עֶזְרָה (ezrah, help). And stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many (וְעַל־סוּסִים יִשָּׁעֵנוּ וַיִּבְטְחוּ עַל־רֶכֶב כִּי־רָב, ve'al-susim yisha'enu vayivtechu al-rekhev ki-rav)—they שָׁעַן (sha'an, lean upon, rely) on horses and בָּטַח (batach, trust) in רֶכֶב (rekhev, chariots). But they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! (וְלֹא שָׁעוּ עַל־קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת־יְהוָה לֹא דָרָשׁוּ, velo sha'u al-Qedosh Yisrael ve'et-YHWH lo darshu)—they don't שָׁעָה (sha'ah, look to, regard) God or דָּרַשׁ (darash, seek).
Egypt's horses and chariots represented ancient superpower military technology—the tanks and fighter jets of the ancient world. Judah, threatened by Assyria, sought Egyptian alliance rather than relying on Yahweh. The sin isn't seeking protection but the misplaced trust: horses instead of God, human alliances instead of divine covenant. Deuteronomy 17:16 explicitly forbade kings multiplying horses or returning to Egypt. Psalm 20:7 contrasts: 'Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.'