Isaiah 31:2

Yet he also [is] wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.

Yet he also is wise {H2450}, and will bring {H935} evil {H7451}, and will not call back {H5493} his words {H1697}: but will arise {H6965} against the house {H1004} of the evildoers {H7489}, and against the help {H5833} of them that work {H6466} iniquity {H205}.

But he too is wise and can bring disaster, and he does not take back his words; he will rise against the house of evildoers and against the help of those who do wrong.

Yet 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.

Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evil-doers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.

Isaiah 31:2 delivers a powerful declaration of God's unwavering wisdom and His resolute purpose to execute judgment, contrasting sharply with human folly and misplaced trust.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic warning given by Isaiah to the kingdom of Judah. At this time, Judah was facing the threat of Assyrian invasion and, instead of relying on the Lord, had sought a military alliance with Egypt for protection. The preceding verse, Isaiah 31:1, critiques Judah's reliance on Egyptian horses and chariots. Isaiah 31:2 pivots to emphasize that despite Judah's erroneous choices, God Himself is supremely wise and will not hesitate to act according to His announced plans, bringing judgment upon those who reject Him and their ungodly allies.

Key Themes

  • God's Superior Wisdom: The phrase "Yet he also [is] wise" highlights God's perfect understanding and strategic insight, which far surpasses any human counsel or military strategy. This divine wisdom is a recurring theme, as seen in Proverbs 3:19.
  • Immutability of God's Word: "And will not call back his words" emphasizes the unchangeable nature of God's decrees. What He declares, whether promise or judgment, will inevitably come to pass. This underscores the immutability of God's decrees and His faithfulness to His own character.
  • Divine Judgment Against Iniquity: God "will bring evil" and "will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity." Here, "evil" (Hebrew: ra') refers to calamity, disaster, or punitive judgment, not moral wickedness. God's justice demands that He confront and judge those who practice iniquity, particularly those who trust in human strength or ungodly alliances instead of Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "evil" used here is ra' (רָע), which, depending on context, can mean moral evil, wickedness, or, as in this verse, disaster, calamity, or misfortune brought about by divine action. It signifies the negative consequences of sin. The phrase "will not call back his words" powerfully conveys God's steadfastness and the certainty of His declared will. His purposes are fixed and irreversible.

Practical Application

Isaiah 31:2 serves as a timeless reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and justice. It challenges us to examine where we place our trust. Do we rely on our own resources, human connections, or worldly systems for security and help, or do we place our ultimate confidence in the Lord? This verse assures us that God's wisdom is perfect, and His word is steadfast. He will inevitably act against injustice and those who oppose His will, even when it involves judging those who claim to be His people but turn away from Him. This serves as a powerful reminder against placing trust in human strength or alliances rather than in God, echoing warnings found in Jeremiah 17:5-8. Therefore, the wise response is always to turn to God in repentance and unwavering faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Numbers 23:19

    God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

  • Isaiah 45:7

    I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].

  • Jeremiah 10:12

    He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:21

    For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:29

    That no flesh should glory in his presence.

  • Amos 3:6

    Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done [it]?

  • Jude 1:25

    To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

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