---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Isaiah 31"
description: "CHAPTER 31   :-. THE CHIEF
STRENGTH OF THE EGYPTIAN
ARMIES LAY
IN THEIR CAVALRY. 1. and stay on horses, and trust in
chariots—In their level and fertile p"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/31"
---

CHAPTER 31

. THE CHIEF
STRENGTH OF THE EGYPTIAN
ARMIES LAY
IN THEIR CAVALRY.

**1. and stay on horses, and trust in
chariots**—In their level and fertile plains horses could easily
be used and fed ([Exodus 14:9](../../../kjv/exodus/14/9);
[1 Kings 10:28](../../../kjv/1-kings/10/28)). In hilly Palestine
horses were not so easily had or available. The Jews were therefore
the more eager to get Egyptian chariots as allies against the
Assyrian cavalry. In Assyrian sculptures chariots are represented
drawn by three horses, and with three men in them (see [Isaiah 36:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/36/9);
[Psalms 20:7](../../../kjv/psalms/20/7); [Daniel 9:13](../../../kjv/daniel/9/13)).

**2. he also is wise**—as well as
the Egyptian priests, so famed for wisdom (), but who are "fools" before Him (). He not only devises, but executes what He devises without
"calling back His words" ().
**home**—the whole race.
**help**—the Egyptian
succor sought by the Jews.

**3. not spirit**—not of divine
power ([Psalms 56:4](../../../kjv/psalms/56/4); [Psalms 146:3](../../../kjv/psalms/146/3);
[Psalms 146:5](../../../kjv/psalms/146/5); [Zechariah 4:6](../../../kjv/zechariah/4/6)).
**he that helpeth**—Egypt.
**holpen**—Judah.

**4.** ([Isaiah 42:13](../../../kjv/isaiah/42/13);
[Hosea 11:10](../../../kjv/hosea/11/10)).
**roaring on**—"growling
over" his prey.
**abase himself**—be
disheartened or frightened.

**5.** As in the image of "the
lion," the point of comparison is the fearless might of Jehovah;
so in that of the birds, it is His solicitous affection ([Deuteronomy 32:11](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/11);
[Psalms 91:4](../../../kjv/psalms/91/4); [Matthew 23:37](../../../kjv/matthew/23/37)).
**flying**—Rather, "which
defend" their young with their wings; "to fly" is a
secondary meaning of the *Hebrew* word [MAURER].
"Hovering over" to protect their young [G. V. SMITH].
**passing over**—as the
destroying angel *passing over, so as to spare* the blood-marked
houses of the Israelites on the first passover ([Exodus 12:13](../../../kjv/exodus/12/13);
[Exodus 12:23](../../../kjv/exodus/12/23); [Exodus 12:27](../../../kjv/exodus/12/27)).
He passed, or *leaped forward* [LOWTH],
to *destroy* the enemy and to spare His people.

**6.** The power and love of
Jehovah, just mentioned, are the strongest incentives for returning
to Him ([Ezekiel 16:62](../../../kjv/ezekiel/16/62); [Ezekiel 16:63](../../../kjv/ezekiel/16/63);
[Hosea 6:1](../../../kjv/hosea/6/1)).
**ye . . . Israel**—The
change of person marks that when they return to the Lord, He will
address them in more direct terms of communion in the second person;
so long as they were *revolters,* God speaks *of* them, as
more at a distance, in the third person, rather than *to* them.

**7.** In the day of trial the idols
will be found to render no help and will therefore be cast away.
Compare as to the future restoration and conversion of Israel
simultaneously with the interposition of Jehovah in its defense,
[Zechariah 12:9-14](../../../kjv/zechariah/12/9-14); [Zechariah 13:1](../../../kjv/zechariah/13/1);
[Zechariah 13:2](../../../kjv/zechariah/13/2).
**for a sin**—that is,
whereby especially you contracted guilt ([Zechariah 13:2](../../../kjv/zechariah/13/2)).

**8. Assyrian**—Sennacherib,
representative of some powerful head of the ungodly in the latter
ages [HORSLEY].
**sword, not of . . . mighty .
. . mean man**—but by the unseen sword of God.
**flee**—Sennacherib alone
*fled* homewards after his army had been destroyed ().
**young men**—the flower of
his army.
**discomfited**—rather,
"shall be subject to slavery"; literally, "shall be
liable to tribute," that is, personal service ([Deuteronomy 20:11](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/20/11);
[Joshua 9:21](../../../kjv/joshua/9/21)) [MAURER].
Or, not so well, "shall melt away" [ROSENMULLER].

**9.** Rather, "*shall pass
beyond* his strongholds"; he Shall not stop to take refuge in
it through fear ([Judges 20:47](../../../kjv/judges/20/47);
[Jeremiah 48:28](../../../kjv/jeremiah/48/28)) [GESENIUS].
**ensign**—the banner of
Jehovah protecting the Jews [MAURER].
**fire . . . furnace**—"light"
and "fire," namely, of Jehovah's *altar* at Jerusalem
([Isaiah 29:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/29/1)). Perhaps "furnace,"
as distinguished from "fire," may mean that His
*dwelling-place* (His hearth) was at Jerusalem (compare [Isaiah 29:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/29/1)); or else the *fiery furnace* awaiting all the enemies
who should attack Jerusalem.

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