Isaiah 31:3

Now the Egyptians [are] men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

Now the Egyptians {H4714} are men {H120}, and not God {H410}; and their horses {H5483} flesh {H1320}, and not spirit {H7307}. When the LORD {H3068} shall stretch out {H5186} his hand {H3027}, both he that helpeth {H5826} shall fall {H3782}, and he that is holpen {H5826} shall fall down {H5307}, and they all shall fail {H3615} together {H3162}.

Now the Egyptians are men and not God, and their horses flesh and not spirit. So when ADONAI stretches out his hand, both he who helps will stumble, and he who is helped will fall; both will perish together.

But 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.

Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit: and when Jehovah shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall stumble, and he that is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together.

Isaiah 31:3 delivers a potent warning against relying on human strength and worldly alliances, particularly in times of crisis. The prophet Isaiah confronts Judah's misplaced trust in Egypt's military might rather than the sovereign power of the Lord.

Historical and Cultural Context

At this point in Judah's history, the nation faced the formidable threat of the Assyrian Empire. Instead of seeking deliverance from God, King Hezekiah and his officials were tempted to forge an alliance with Egypt, hoping to secure their famous cavalry and military resources. This strategic move was a common geopolitical play, but one that consistently drew condemnation from prophets like Isaiah. The verse underscores that such reliance on human systems and earthly power, apart from divine guidance, is ultimately futile and leads to ruin. It sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation between Assyria and Jerusalem, where God's intervention, not Egypt's help, would prove decisive (as detailed later in Isaiah's prophecies).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Limitation: The verse starkly contrasts the finite nature of "men" and "flesh" with the infinite power of "God" and "spirit." It declares that Egypt, despite its military prowess, is merely human and therefore utterly incapable of providing true deliverance.
  • Futility of Worldly Alliances: Isaiah unequivocally states that any alliance built on human strength, apart from God's will, is destined for failure. Both "he that helpeth" (Egypt) and "he that is holpen" (Judah) will fall when the Lord acts. This echoes other prophetic warnings against relying on chariots and horses rather than God's name (Psalm 20:7) and the futility of trusting in man (Jeremiah 17:5).
  • God's Unstoppable Hand: The phrase "When the LORD shall stretch out his hand" signifies God's active and decisive intervention. This powerful idiom consistently points to divine judgment or deliverance in scripture, demonstrating that no human force can stand against His will.

Linguistic Insights

  • The contrast between "men, and not God" and "flesh, and not spirit" is central. The Hebrew word for "flesh" (basar) often denotes weakness, mortality, and the earthly realm, while "spirit" (ruach) refers to divine power, life, and the supernatural. This highlights the vast chasm between human capabilities and God's omnipotence.
  • "Stretch out his hand" (Hebrew: natah yad) is a powerful anthropomorphism used throughout the Old Testament to describe God's direct and forceful action, often in judgment (e.g., against Egypt in Exodus 7:5).

Practical Application

Isaiah 31:3 remains profoundly relevant today. It challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust. Do we rely on our own abilities, financial security, political systems, or influential connections to navigate life's challenges? Or do we acknowledge our limitations and lean wholeheartedly on God's infinite strength and wisdom? This verse serves as a timeless reminder that true security and lasting help come only from the Lord. It calls believers to a deeper spiritual reliance, recognizing that any human endeavor or alliance, however strong it appears, is merely "flesh" compared to the "spirit" of God, who alone can bring true salvation and stability.

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.

  • Ezekiel 20:33

    ¶ [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:

  • Ezekiel 20:34

    And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.

  • Isaiah 9:17

    Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one [is] an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

  • Ezekiel 28:9

    Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I [am] God? but thou [shalt be] a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.

  • Psalms 9:20

    Put them in fear, O LORD: [that] the nations may know themselves [to be but] men. Selah.

  • Isaiah 30:7

    For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength [is] to sit still.

  • Jeremiah 15:6

    Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.

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