Isaiah 31:2
Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.
Original Language Analysis
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
ה֤וּא
H1931
ה֤וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 17
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
חָכָם֙
Yet he also is wise
H2450
חָכָם֙
Yet he also is wise
Strong's:
H2450
Word #:
3 of 17
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
וַיָּ֣בֵא
and will bring
H935
וַיָּ֣בֵא
and will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
4 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָרָ֖יו
his words
H1697
דְּבָרָ֖יו
his words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
7 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֵסִ֑יר
and will not call back
H5493
הֵסִ֑יר
and will not call back
Strong's:
H5493
Word #:
9 of 17
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
וְקָם֙
but will arise
H6965
וְקָם֙
but will arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
10 of 17
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בֵּ֣ית
against the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
against the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
12 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מְרֵעִ֔ים
of the evildoers
H7489
מְרֵעִ֔ים
of the evildoers
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Numbers 23:19God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?Isaiah 45:7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.Jeremiah 10:12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.Romans 16:27To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.Amos 3:6Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?Jude 1:25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.Zephaniah 3:8Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
Historical Context
Egypt's wisdom was legendary—Joseph encountered it (Genesis 41:8), Moses was educated in it (Acts 7:22). Yet divine wisdom infinitely surpasses human. When Assyria invaded, Egypt's help proved worthless (2 Kings 18:21). Later, both Judah and Egypt fell to Babylon. God's word came to pass; Egyptian counsel failed. James 1:5 contrasts worldly wisdom with wisdom from God.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we sometimes act as if God's wisdom is inferior to human expertise or worldly counsel?
- What does it mean that God 'will not call back his words'—His promises and warnings are certain?
- How should knowing that God judges both evildoers and their helpers affect our alliances and partnerships?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Yet he also is wise (וְגַם־הוּא חָכָם, vegam-hu chakham)—a divine ironic statement: God too possesses חָכְמָה (chokmah, wisdom), just like Egypt's vaunted counselors. And will bring evil, and will not call back his words (וַיָּבֵא רָע וְאֶת־דְּבָרָיו לֹא הֵסִיר, vayave ra ve'et-devaraw lo hesir)—He will bring רָע (ra, evil, calamity) and won't הֵסִיר (hesir, remove, turn back) His words. But will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity (וְקָם עַל־בֵּית מְרֵעִים וְעַל־עֶזְרַת פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן, veqam al-beyt mere'im ve'al-ezrat po'aley aven).
The sarcasm cuts: they trust Egyptian wisdom while ignoring divine wisdom. God's wisdom, unlike human calculation, executes inevitable judgment. When He speaks רָע (ra, disaster), it comes—His דְּבָרִים (devarim, words) are irrevocable. He will קוּם (qum, arise, stand up) against both the מְרֵעִים (mere'im, evildoers) and their helper. Egypt won't escape; aiding rebels against God brings judgment on the helper. Romans 1:32 applies this principle: not only those who practice sin but those who 'have pleasure in them that do them' face condemnation.