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Isaiah 31

Isaiah 31 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Isaiah 31 contrasts human alliances with trust in the LORD. It warns Judah not to depend on Egypt's military strength and calls the people back from rebellion and idols. The chapter also promises that God himself will defend Jerusalem and bring down Assyria.

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What happens in Isaiah 31?

The chapter opens with a warning to those who seek security from Egypt instead of the Holy One of Israel. Earthly power may look strong, but it cannot stand when the LORD acts. God is described as wise, active, and able to bring judgment on those who oppose him. The passage then turns to comfort: the LORD will come down to protect Mount Zion, shelter Jerusalem, and preserve it. Judah is called to return to God, abandon handmade idols, and trust that Assyria will fall by God's own intervention.

Isaiah 31 continues the warnings in the surrounding chapters against Judah's attempt to secure help through foreign alliances. It fits within a section of Isaiah that confronts misplaced trust and calls God's people to repentance. The chapter also points toward God's commitment to defend Jerusalem for his name and purposes.

Themes to notice

  • False trustRelying on military strength or human alliances cannot replace dependence on the LORD.
  • Divine protectionGod promises to shield Jerusalem and act directly for its defense.
  • Repentance and idolsThe people are called to return to God and reject the idols they made.

Questions for Isaiah 31

  • What does this chapter say about the limits of human power and alliances?
  • How does the picture of God defending Jerusalem shape the chapter's message?
  • What does it mean for God's people to return to him and turn from idols?

Read the full text of Isaiah 31 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Isaiah 31

Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt

1Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,

who rely on horses,

who trust in their abundance of chariots

and in their multitude of horsemen.

They do not look to the Holy One of Israel;

they do not seek the LORD.

2Yet He too is wise and brings disaster;

He does not call back His words.

He will rise up against the house of the wicked

and against the allies of evildoers.

3But the Egyptians are men, not God;

their horses are flesh, not spirit.

When the LORD stretches out His hand,

the helper will stumble,

and the one he helps will fall;

both will perish together.

4For this is what the LORD has said to me:

“Like a lion roaring

or a young lion over its prey—

and though a band of shepherds is called out against it,

it is not terrified by their shouting

or subdued by their clamor—

so the LORD of Hosts will come down

to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.

5Like birds hovering overhead,

so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem.

He will shield it and deliver it;

He will pass over it and preserve it.”

6Return to the One against whom you have so blatantly rebelled, O children of Israel.7For on that day, every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold that your own hands have sinfully made.

8“Then Assyria will fall,

but not by the sword of man;

a sword will devour them,

but not one made by mortals.

They will flee before the sword,

and their young men will be put to forced labor.

9Their rock will pass away for fear,

and their princes will panic at the sight of the battle standard,”

declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion,

whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

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