Isaiah 31:3

Authorized King James Version

Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּמִצְרַ֤יִם

H4714

Now the Egyptians

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אָדָם֙

H120

are men

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְֽלֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֵ֔ל

H410

and not God

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

וְסוּסֵיהֶ֥ם

H5483

and their horses

a horse (as leaping)

בָּשָׂ֖ר

H1320

flesh

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

וְלֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

ר֑וּחַ

H7307

and not spirit

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

וַֽיהוָ֞ה

H3068

When the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#10

יַטֶּ֣ה

H5186

shall stretch out

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

#11

יָד֗וֹ

H3027

his hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#12

וְכָשַׁ֤ל

H3782

shall fall

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall

#13

עָזֻ֔ר

H5826

and he that is holpen

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

#14

וְנָפַ֣ל

H5307

shall fall down

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

#15

עָזֻ֔ר

H5826

and he that is holpen

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

#16

וְיַחְדָּ֖ו

H3162

together

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

#17

כֻּלָּ֥ם

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#18

יִכְלָיֽוּן׃

H3615

and they all shall fail

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Isaiah.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Isaiah