Isaiah 31:8

Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.

Then shall the Assyrian {H804} fall {H5307} with the sword {H2719}, not of a mighty man {H376}; and the sword {H2719}, not of a mean man {H120}, shall devour {H398} him: but he shall flee {H5127} from {H6440} the sword {H2719}, and his young men {H970} shall be discomfited {H4522}.

Then Ashur will fall by a sword not of mortals, a sword, not of humans, will devour him; he will flee before the sword, and his young men will be put to forced labor.

“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.

And the Assyrian shall fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of men, shall devour him; and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall become subject to taskwork.

Commentary on Isaiah 31:8

Isaiah 31:8 delivers a powerful prophecy concerning the downfall of the mighty Assyrian Empire, emphasizing that their defeat would be orchestrated by divine power, not human strength. This verse serves as a stark contrast to Judah's misplaced trust in worldly alliances, particularly with Egypt.

Historical and Cultural Context

At the time of this prophecy, the Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower, known for its brutal military campaigns and conquests. Judah, under King Hezekiah, faced an imminent threat from Sennacherib, the Assyrian king. Instead of relying solely on the Lord, Judah had sought military aid from Egypt, a practice strongly condemned by the prophet Isaiah. This chapter, Isaiah 31, specifically rebukes Judah for trusting in horses and chariots from Egypt rather than the God of Israel. Verse 8 declares that the impending defeat of Assyria would not be a result of Judah's military prowess or their Egyptian allies, but a direct act of God, underscoring His sovereignty over nations.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Intervention and Judgment: The central message is that God Himself would bring about the downfall of Assyria. The phrase "not of a mighty man" and "not of a mean man" highlights that no human warrior, whether a general or a common soldier, would be responsible for their defeat. This points to a supernatural intervention, as historically recorded in 2 Kings 19:35 and Isaiah 37:36, where the angel of the Lord struck 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.
  • God's Sovereignty and Protection: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over world events and His ability to protect His people, even when they falter in their faith. It is a reminder that ultimate security lies in Him alone, not in human strength or political alliances.
  • Futility of Human Reliance: By demonstrating that Assyria would fall by a non-human sword, God teaches Judah—and us—the futility of relying on human power or alliances instead of His divine strength. This theme is echoed throughout the prophetic books.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated negative phrasing, "sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man," is a powerful rhetorical device. It emphasizes that the agency of Assyria's destruction would be entirely non-human, pointing directly to God's supernatural power. The Hebrew word for "discomfited" (מָגוג – māgôg, related to confusion or terror) suggests not just defeat, but also a state of panic, demoralization, and utter confusion among the Assyrian soldiers, further highlighting the overwhelming nature of God's judgment.

Practical Application

Isaiah 31:8 continues to resonate today, reminding believers that our ultimate trust should be placed in God, not in human institutions, political leaders, financial security, or military might. When facing overwhelming challenges or powerful adversaries, this verse encourages us to seek God's intervention and rely on His strength, knowing that He can accomplish what no human effort can. It's a call to abandon reliance on "horses and chariots" (worldly solutions) and to instead remember the name of the Lord our God.

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.

  • Isaiah 14:25

    That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.

  • Genesis 49:15

    And he saw that rest [was] good, and the land that [it was] pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.

  • Isaiah 10:16

    Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.

  • Isaiah 10:19

    And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.

  • 2 Kings 19:34

    For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

  • 2 Kings 19:37

    And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

  • Isaiah 37:35

    For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

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