Isaiah 31

Isaiah 31:1

Woe. The fourth of the six woes.

down. It is always “down” to Egypt, geographically and morally.

trust = confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

the Holy One of Israel. See note on Isaiah 1:4. Psalms 71:22.

neither seek the LORD. Compare Isaiah 30:2. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 17:16). App-92.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah.(with ’eth). App-4.

Isaiah 31:2

evil. evildoers. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44.

iniquity. Hebrew. ’aven. App-44.

Isaiah 31:3

men, and not GOD. Figure of speech Pleonasm. The statement put two ways for great emphasis (positive and negative).

men. Hebrew. ’ddam. App-14.

GOD. Hebrew El = the mighty God. App-4.

flesh, and not spirit. Figure of speech Pleonasm. See above.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Isaiah 31:4

prey = live prey.

multitude = crowd.

the LORD of hosts. See note on Isaiah 1:9 and 1 Samuel 1:3.

for: or, over.

Isaiah 31:5

As birds flying. As birds hovering [covering and protecting their nest with their wings], so will, &c. The Figure of speech Ellipsis is to be thus supplied. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:11). App-92.

defend = shield. The verb is found only in Isaiah’s utterances (2 Kings 19:34, 2 Kings 20:6. 2 Kings 31:5; 2 Kings 37:35; 2 Kings 38:6; and Zechariah 9:15; Zechariah 12:8.

defending, &c. = shielding. Only used of God. Only here, 2 Kings 19:34; 2 Kings 20:6. Literally “[then there will be] a shielding, and He will rescue; a passing over [as in Egypt at the Passover], and he will cause to escape. "

passing over. Reference to Pentateuch (Ex. Isaiah 12:13, Isaiah 12:23, Isaiah 12:27). App-92. This word is nowhere else used in this sense.

Isaiah 31:6

Turn = Return.

children = sons.

Isaiah 31:7

every man. Hebrew. ’Ish. App-14.

idols = nothings.

Isaiah 31:8

mighty man. Hebrew. ’ish. App-14.

mean man. Hebrew. ’adam. App-14.

discomfited = become tributaries.

Isaiah 31:9

pass over. Not the same word as in Isaiah 31:5 (which is pasah). Here, Hebrew. ’abar, to cross over, or retreat.