Isaiah 31:5
As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.
Original Language Analysis
עָפ֔וֹת
flying
H5774
עָפ֔וֹת
flying
Strong's:
H5774
Word #:
2 of 12
to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)
כֵּ֗ן
H3651
כֵּ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יְהוָ֥ה
so will the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
so will the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
6 of 12
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
8 of 12
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְהִצִּ֖יל
also he will deliver
H5337
וְהִצִּ֖יל
also he will deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
10 of 12
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Cross References
Psalms 91:4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.Deuteronomy 32:11As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:Isaiah 38:6And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.Psalms 37:40And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.Psalms 46:5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.Exodus 19:4Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
Historical Context
The Passover allusion is deliberate. Just as God delivered Israel from Egypt through the Passover lamb, He will deliver Jerusalem from Assyria. The pattern continues: Christ, our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), delivers believers from judgment. God's hovering protection and Passover-like sparing characterize His covenant faithfulness throughout redemptive history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the image of birds hovering protectively differ from the lion imagery, and what does each reveal about God?
- What does the Passover language teach about God's protection—grace sparing the undeserving through substitutionary blood?
- How does Christ as 'our Passover' connect this Old Testament promise to New Testament salvation?
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Analysis & Commentary
As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem (כְּצִפֳּרִים עָפוֹת כֵּן יָגֵן יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת עַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָם, ketsipporim afot ken yagen YHWH tseva'ot al-Yerushalaim)—like צִפֳּרִים (tsipporim, birds) עוּף (uf, flying, hovering), Yahweh will גָּנַן (ganan, defend, shield). Defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it (גָּנוֹן וְהִצִּיל פָּסֹחַ וְהִמְלִיט, ganon vehitsil pasoach vehimlit)—doubling the verbs for emphasis: protecting-He will deliver, passing over-He will rescue.
The metaphor shifts from lion to birds—perhaps eagles hovering over nest (Deuteronomy 32:11) or mother hen sheltering chicks (Matthew 23:37). The verb פָּסַח (pasach, pass over) deliberately evokes Passover (פֶּסַח, Pesach) when God 'passed over' Israelite homes marked with blood, sparing firstborns while judging Egypt (Exodus 12:13). God will 'pass over' Jerusalem—sparing it from judgment that strikes enemies. This is grace in action: defending, delivering, preserving despite unworthiness.