Isaiah 31:1

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible

Alas! for them who are going down to Egypt for help, On horses, would rely, - And have trusted - In chariots - because they are many, and In horsemen, because they are very bold, But have not looked unto the Holy One of Israel, And onto Yahweh, have not sought.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help

Hebrew Names Version
Woe to those who go down to Mitzrayim for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they don't look to the Holy One of Yisra'el, neither seek the LORD!

King James Version
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord !

English Standard Version
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord !

New American Standard Bible
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!

New Century Version
How terrible it will be for those people who go down to Egypt for help. They think horses will save them. They think their many chariots and strong horsemen will save them. But they don't trust God, the Holy One of Israel, or ask the Lord for help.

Amplified Bible
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who go down to Egypt for help, Who rely on horses And trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek and consult the LORD!

World English Bible
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they don't look to the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Yahweh!

Geneva Bible (1587)
Woe vnto them that goe downe into Egypt for helpe, and stay vpon horses, and trust in charets, because they are many, and in horsemen, because they be very strong: but they looke not vnto the holy one of Israel, nor seeke vnto the Lord.

Legacy Standard Bible
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for helpAnd rely on horses,And trust in chariots because they are manyAnd in horsemen because they are very mighty,But they do not regard at the Holy One of Israel, nor seek Yahweh!

Berean Standard Bible
Woe 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.

Contemporary English Version
You are in for trouble if you go to Egypt for help, or if you depend on an army of chariots or a powerful cavalry. Instead you should depend on and trust the holy Lord God of Israel.

Complete Jewish Bible
Woe to those going down to Egypt expecting help — relying on horses; trusting in chariots, because they have many, and in the strength of their cavalrymen — but not looking to the Holy One of Isra'el, not consulting Adonai .

Darby Translation
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and depend on horses, and confide in chariots because [they are] many, and in horsemen because they are very strong; and who look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah!

Easy-to-Read Version
Look at the people going down to Egypt for help. They think the horses they get will save them. They hope the many chariots and powerful soldiers will protect them. But the people don't trust the Holy One of Israel. They didn't ask the Lord for help.

George Lamsa Translation
WOE to those who go down to Egypt for help and trust in horses and rely on chariots because they are many, and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they do not trust in the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Good News Translation
Those who go to Egypt for help are doomed! They are relying on Egypt's vast military strength—horses, chariots, and soldiers. But they do not rely on the Lord , the holy God of Israel, or ask him for help.

Lexham English Bible
Ah! Those who go down to Egypt for help! They rely on horses and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very numerous, and they do not look to the holy one of Israel, and they do not consult Yahweh.

Literal Translation
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and lean on horses, and trust on chariotry, because it is great; and in horsemen because they are very strong! But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek Jehovah.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Wo vnto them that go downe in to Egipte for helpe, and trust in horses, and conforte them selues in Charettes, because they be many, and in horse me because they be lustie and stronge. But they regarde not the holy one of Israel, and they aske no question at the LORDE.

American Standard Version
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah!

Bible in Basic English
Cursed are those who go down to Egypt for help, and who put their faith in horses; looking to war-carriages for salvation, because of their numbers; and to horsemen, because they are very strong; but they are not looking to the Holy One of Israel, or turning their hearts to the Lord;

JPS Old Testament (1917)
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many, and in horsemen, because they are exceeding mighty; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

King James Version (1611)
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for helpe, and stay on horses, and trust in charets, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong: but they looke not vnto the Holy one of Israel, neither seeke the Lord.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Wo be vnto them that go downe into Egypt for helpe, and trust in horses, and put their confidence in charrets because they be many, and in horsemen because they be lustie and strong: but they regarde not the holy one of Israel, and they aske no question at the Lorde.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, who trust in horses and chariots, for they are many; and in horses, which are a great multitude; and have not trusted in the Holy One of Israel, and have not sought the Lord.

English Revised Version
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and stay on horses; and trust in chariots, because they are many, and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Wo to hem that goon doun in to Egipt to help, and hopen in horsis, and han trist on cartis, for tho ben manye, and on knyytis, for thei ben ful stronge; and thei tristiden not on the hooli of Israel, and thei souyten not the Lord.

Update Bible Version
Woe to those that go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they don't look to the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Yahweh!

Webster's Bible Translation
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and rely on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not to the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

New English Translation
Those who go down to Egypt for help are as good as dead, those who rely on war horses, and trust in Egypt's many chariots and in their many, many horsemen. But they do not rely on the Holy One of Israel and do not seek help from the Lord .

New King James Version
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD!

New Living Translation
What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the Lord , the Holy One of Israel.

New Life Bible
It is bad for those who go down to Egypt for help, and trust in the many horses and war-wagons, and in the much strength of their horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel or ask the Lord for help.

New Revised Standard
Alas for those who go down to Egypt for help and who rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord !

Douay-Rheims Bible
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, trusting in horses, and putting their confidence in chariots, because they are many: and in horsemen, because they are very strong: and have not trusted in the Holy One of Israel, and have not sought after the Lord.

Revised Standard Version
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!

Young's Literal Translation
Wo [to] those going down to Egypt for help, And on horses lean, And trust on chariots, because many, And on horsemen, because very strong, And have not looked on the Holy One of Israel, And Jehovah have not sought.

THE MESSAGE
Doom to those who go off to Egypt thinking that horses can help them, Impressed by military mathematics, awed by sheer numbers of chariots and riders— And to The Holy of Israel, not even a glance, not so much as a prayer to God . Still, he must be reckoned with, a most wise God who knows what he's doing. He can call down catastrophe. He's a God who does what he says. He intervenes in the work of those who do wrong, stands up against interfering evildoers. Egyptians are mortal, not God, and their horses are flesh, not Spirit. When God gives the signal, helpers and helped alike will fall in a heap and share the same dirt grave.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!

Contextual Overview

¹ Alas! for them who are going down to Egypt for help, On horses, would rely, - And have trusted - In chariots - because they are many, and In horsemen, because they are very bold, But have not looked unto the Holy One of Israel, And onto Yahweh, have not sought. ² But, he also, is wise, and hath brought in calamity, And his own words, hath he not set aside, - Therefore will he rise up, Against the house of evil-doers, and Against the help of the workers of iniquity. ³ Now, the Egyptians, are, men, and not, GOD, And their horses, flesh, and not, spirit; When, Yahweh, shall stretch out his hand, Then I he that is giving help, shall stumble And I he that is receiving help shall fall, And together, shall all of them vanish! ⁴ For Thus, hath Yahweh said unto me - Like as a lion or a young lion growleth over his prey. Who - though there be called out against him a multitude of shepherds - Will not at their voice, be dismayed, Nor, at their noise, be daunted, So, will Yahweh of hosts come down, to make war over Mount Zion, and over the hill thereof. ⁵ As little mother-birds hovering, so, will Yahweh of hosts throw a covering ever Jerusalem, - Covering, so will he rescue, Passing over, so will he deliver!

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

to them: Isaiah 30:1-7, Isaiah 36:6, Isaiah 57:9, Ezekiel 17:15, Hosea 11:5

stay on horses: Isaiah 30:16, Isaiah 36:9, Deuteronomy 17:16, Psalms 20:7, Psalms 33:16, Psalms 33:17, the look, Isaiah 5:12, Isaiah 17:7, Isaiah 17:8, Isaiah 22:11, 2 Chronicles 16:7, Jeremiah 2:13, Jeremiah 17:5, Hosea 14:3

neither: Isaiah 9:13, Isaiah 64:7, Daniel 9:13, Hosea 7:7, Hosea 7:13-16, Amos 5:4-8

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:17 - for horses Deuteronomy 20:1 - horses Joshua 11:6 - horses 1 Kings 10:28 - horses brought 1 Kings 15:19 - There is a league 2 Kings 7:6 - the kings of the Egyptians 2 Kings 17:4 - king of Egypt 2 Kings 18:21 - upon Egypt 2 Kings 18:24 - thy trust 2 Chronicles 9:28 - brought 2 Chronicles 16:3 - a league Job 39:11 - trust Psalms 91:11 - in all Psalms 118:9 - than to put Psalms 147:10 - delighteth Proverbs 21:31 - horse Song of Solomon 1:9 - to a Isaiah 2:7 - their land is Isaiah 7:18 - fly Isaiah 10:3 - to whom Isaiah 18:1 - the land Isaiah 20:6 - whither Isaiah 26:3 - stayed Isaiah 30:2 - walk Isaiah 30:5 - General Isaiah 30:7 - the Egyptians Isaiah 30:12 - Because Jeremiah 2:16 - Also the Jeremiah 2:18 - what hast Jeremiah 2:36 - thou also shalt Jeremiah 12:13 - put Jeremiah 21:12 - Execute Jeremiah 22:20 - and cry Jeremiah 37:7 - Pharaoh's Jeremiah 42:14 - we will go Jeremiah 42:19 - Go Jeremiah 46:25 - and all Lamentations 4:17 - our eyes Lamentations 5:6 - to the Egyptians Ezekiel 17:9 - Shall it Ezekiel 29:6 - a staff Ezekiel 29:16 - the confidence Hosea 2:7 - she shall follow Hosea 7:11 - they call Hosea 10:12 - time Zephaniah 3:2 - she trusted Romans 3:11 - seeketh Hebrews 12:2 - Looking

Cross-References

Genesis 31:3
Then said Yahweh unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers and to thy kindred, - that I may be with thee.

Genesis 31:4
So Jacob sent, and called for Rachel and for Leah, to the field unto his flock;

Genesis 31:5
and said to them, Beholding, am I the face of your father, that it is not towards me as aforetime, - nevertheless, the God of my father, hath been with me;

Genesis 31:8
If thus he saith, The speckled, shall be thy wages, then do all the flock bring forth speckled, - But if thus he saith, The ring-straked, shall be thy wages, then do all the flock bring forth ring-straked.

Genesis 31:9
So hath God stripped away the herds of your father, and given them to me.

Genesis 31:16
Surely all the riches which God hath stripped off from our father, unto us, it belongeth, and unto our sons, - Now, therefore, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

Genesis 31:17
So Jacob arose, - and mounted his sons and his wives on the camels;

Genesis 31:24
And God went in unto Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, - and said to him Take heed to thyself that thou speak not with Jacob either good or bad.

Genesis 31:25
So then Laban came up with Jacob, - Jacob, having pitched his tent in the mountain, Laban, also, with his brethren pitched in the mountain of Gilead.

Genesis 45:13
As soon as ye have told my father all my honour in Egypt, and all that ye have seen, so soon shall ye hasten and bring down my father hither.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help,.... Or, "O ye that go down", c. what poor foolish creatures are you! And in the end what miserable and wretched ones will ye be! Such were the Jewish rulers and people, who either went themselves, or sent ambassadors to the king of Egypt, to supply them with men and horses against the king of Assyria, contrary to the express command of God, which forbid them returning to Egypt; and which showed their unmindfulness of deliverance from thence, and their not having a due sense of that mercy upon them; as well as their so doing exposed them to the danger of being drawn into the superstitions and idolatries of that people:

and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they] are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; having their dependence upon, and placing their confidence in, the strength and numbers of the cavalry of the Egyptians:

but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord; they did not look unto the Lord with an eye of faith, nor seek him by prayer and supplication; or ask any counsel or instruction of him, as the Targum paraphrases the last clause; so that their sin lay not only in their confidence in the creature, but in their neglect of the Lord himself; and so all such persons are foolish and miserable, that trust in an arm of flesh, that place their confidence in creature acts, in their own righteousness, duties, and services, and have no regard to the Holy One of Israel, to the holiness and righteousness of Christ, neglect that, and do not submit to it; thus the Targum interprets the former clause of the Word of the Holy One of Israel, the essential Word Christ.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wo - (see the note at Isaiah 30:1).

To them that go down to Egypt - (see the note at Isaiah 30:2).

And stay on horses - (see the note at Isaiah 30:16).

And trust in chariots - (see the note at Isaiah 21:7). That they were often used in war, is apparent from the following places Joshua 11:4; Judges 1:19; 1 Samuel 13:5; 2 Samuel 8:4.

Because they are many - Because they hope to secure the aid of many. See the references above. It is evident that their confidence in them would be in proportion to the number which they could bring into the field.

But they look not ... - (see the note at Isaiah 30:1)

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER XXXI

The Jews again reproved for their confidence in Egypt, finely

contrasted with their neglect of the power and protection of

God, 1-3.

Deliverance and protection are, notwithstanding, promised,

expressed by two similes; the first remarkably lofty and

poetical, the latter singularly beautiful and tender, 4, 5.

Exhortation to repentance, joined with the prediction of a more

reformed period, 6, 7.

This chapter concludes like the preceding, with a prophecy of

the fall of Sennacherib, 8, 9.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXXI

Verse Isaiah 31:1. Wo to them that go down to Egypt — This is a reproof to the Israelites for forming an alliance with the Egyptians, and not trusting in the Lord.

And stay on horses - "Who trust in horses"] For ועל veal, and upon, first twenty MSS. of Kennicott's, thirty of De Rossi's, one of my own, and the Septuagint, Arabic, and Vulgate, read על al, upon, without the conjunction, which disturbs the sense.