Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 31

Verse 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 .

Verse 2

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

iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .

Verse 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 .

Verse 4

prey = live prey.

multitude = crowd.

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

for: or, over.

Verse 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 . 2Ki 31:5 ; 2Ki 37:35 ; 2Ki 38:6 ; and Zechariah 9:15 ; Zechariah 12:8 .

defending, &c. = shielding. Only used of God. Only here, 2Ki 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. Isa 12:13 , Isa 12:23 , Isa 12:27 ). App-92 . This word is nowhere else used in this sense.

Verse 6

Turn = Return.

children = sons.

Verse 7

every man. Hebrew. 'Ish . App-14 .

idols = nothings.

Verse 8

mighty man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

mean man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

discomfited = become tributaries.

Verse 9

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