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They will flee before the sword and their young men will be put to forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“The Assyrians will be destroyed, but not by the swords of men. The sword of God will strike them, and they will panic and flee. The strong young Assyrians will be taken away as captives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“And the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of man; and a sword, not of man, shall devour him; and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be put to forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Then Assyria shall fall by a sword not of man, And a sword not of mankind shall devour him. But he shall flee from the sword, And his young men shall become forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the Assyrian will fall by a sword not <i>wielded by</i> a man, And a sword not of man will devour him. So he will not escape the sword, And his young men will become forced laborers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And the Assyrian will fall by a sword not of man, And a sword not of man will devour him. So he will not escape the sword, And his young men will become forced laborers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the Assyrian will fall by a sword not of man, And a sword not of man will devour him. So he will not escape the sword, And his young men will become forced laborers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the Assyrian will fall by a sword not of man, And a sword not of man will devour him. So he will flee from the sword, And his choice men will become forced laborers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the Assyrian will fall by a sword not of man, And a sword not of man will devour him. And he will flee from the sword [of God], And his young men will become forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Assyria will fall, but not by human sword; a sword will devour him, but not one made by man. He will flee from the sword; his young men will be put to forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Assyria will fall, but not by human sword; a sword will devour him, but not one made by man. He will flee from the sword; his young men will be put to forced labor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Assyrians will be killed, but not by the swords of humans. Their young men will try to escape, but they will be captured and forced into slavery. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then shall the Assyrian fall with 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 tributary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Assyrians will be killed with swords not made by human hands. Swords not made by human hands will destroy them. They will flee from battle, and their young men will be made to do forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Assyria will be destroyed in war, but not by human power. The Assyrians will run from battle, and their young men will be made slaves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Then Assyria will fall by a sword that is not from human beings only — a sword not wielded by mortal beings will devour them. They will flee from the sword, and their young men will be put to forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Assyria will fall by a sword, but not one human-made; a sword not made by humankind will destroy them. They will run away from this sword and their young men will be forced to do hard labor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"The Assyrian will fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of humankind, shall devour him. He will flee from the sword, and his young men will become subject to forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“The Assyrian will fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of mankind, shall devour him. He will flee from the sword, and his young men will become subject to forced labor. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Asshur has fallen by sword, not of the high, "" Indeed, a sword—not of the low, consumes him, "" And he has fled for himself from the face of a sword, "" And his young men become tributary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And fallen hath Asshur by sword, not of the high, Yea, a sword -- not of the low, doth consume him, And he hath fled for himself from the face of a sword, And his young men become tributary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Assur fell by the sword, not of a man, and the sword not of a man, shall consume him, and he fled for himself from the face of the sword, and his young men shall be for tribute.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Assyrian shall fall by the sword not of a man, and the sword not of a man shall devour him, and he shall flee not at the face of the sword: and his young men shall be tributaries. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Assur will fall by a sword not of man, and a sword not of man will devour him. And he will not flee from the face of the sword, and his young men will be subject to a penalty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Assyria shall fall by a sword, not wielded by human being, no mortal sword shall devour him; He shall flee before the sword, and his young men shall be impressed as laborers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Then the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of mortals; and a sword, not of humans, shall devour him; he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be put to forced labor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not with the sword of men; neither the sword of mighty men shall devour him; but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Assyrian shall fall by the sword, a sword not of men, and a sword not of giants, shall devour him, and he will flee for himself from before the sword, and his young men shall be for standards<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then shall Asshur fall with 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 tributary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Assyrian shall fall: not the sword of a great man, nor the sword of a mean man shall devour him; neither shall he flee from the face of the sword: but the young men shall be overthrown:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/31-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=6630" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/31.htm">Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>For on that day, every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold that your own hands have sinfully made. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/804.htm" title="804: ’aš·šūr (N-proper-fs) -- Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them, its region and its empire.">“Then Assyria</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: wə·nā·p̄al (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">will fall,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: bə·ḥe·reḇ (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">by the sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">of man;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: wə·ḥe·reḇ (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">a sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: tō·ḵă·len·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs:: 3mse) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">will devour them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but not</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">one made by mortals.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: wə·nās (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">They will flee</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê- (Prep-m:: N-mpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥe·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">the sword,</a> <a href="/hebrew/970.htm" title="970: ū·ḇa·ḥū·rāw (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A young man. Or bachur; participle passive of bachar; properly, selected, i.e. A youth.">and their young men</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">will be put</a> <a href="/hebrew/4522.htm" title="4522: lā·mas (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Or mic; from macac; properly, a burden, i.e. A tax in the form of forced labor.">to forced labor.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Their rock will pass away for fear, and their princes will panic at the sight of the battle standard,” declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-36.htm">Isaiah 37:36-38</a></span><br />Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">2 Kings 19:35-37</a></span><br />And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-21.htm">2 Chronicles 32:21</a></span><br />and the LORD sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/1-7.htm">Hosea 1:7</a></span><br />Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will save them—not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry, but by the LORD their God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-16.htm">Isaiah 10:16-19</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame. / And the Light of Israel will become a fire, and its Holy One a flame. In a single day it will burn and devour Assyria’s thorns and thistles. / The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-31.htm">Isaiah 30:31-33</a></span><br />For Assyria will be shattered at the voice of the LORD; He will strike them with His scepter. / And with every stroke of the rod of punishment that the LORD brings down on them, the tambourines and lyres will sound as He battles with weapons brandished. / For Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/46-15.htm">Jeremiah 46:15-17</a></span><br />Why have your warriors been laid low? They cannot stand, for the LORD has thrust them down. / They continue to stumble; indeed, they have fallen over one another. They say, ‘Get up! Let us return to our people and to the land of our birth, away from the sword of the oppressor.’ / There they will cry out: ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt was all noise; he has let the appointed time pass him by.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-12.htm">Nahum 1:12-14</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Though they are allied and numerous, yet they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, O Judah, I will afflict you no longer. / For I will now break their yoke from your neck and tear away your shackles.” / The LORD has issued a command concerning you, O Nineveh: “There will be no descendants to carry on your name. I will cut off the carved image and cast idol from the house of your gods; I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-13.htm">Exodus 14:13-14</a></span><br />But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/46-8.htm">Psalm 46:8-11</a></span><br />Come, see the works of the LORD, who brings devastation upon the earth. / He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire. / “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-24.htm">Isaiah 14:24-27</a></span><br />The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand. / I will break Assyria in My land; I will trample him on My mountain. His yoke will be taken off My people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.” / This is the plan devised for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out over all the nations. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/17-12.htm">Isaiah 17:12-14</a></span><br />Alas, the tumult of many peoples; they rage like the roaring seas and clamoring nations; they rumble like the crashing of mighty waters. / The nations rage like the rush of many waters. He rebukes them, and they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweeds before a gale. / In the evening, there is sudden terror! Before morning, they are no more! This is the portion of those who loot us and the lot of those who plunder us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/33-1.htm">Isaiah 33:1</a></span><br />Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-4.htm">Isaiah 9:4-5</a></span><br />For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. / For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-33.htm">Isaiah 10:33-34</a></span><br />Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled. / He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">shall the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/10-16.htm">Isaiah 10:16-19,33,34</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/14-25.htm">Isaiah 14:25</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-5.htm">Isaiah 29:5</a></b></br> Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones <i>shall be</i> as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.</p><p class="hdg">he shall flee</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/37-37.htm">Isaiah 37:37,38</a></b></br> So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh… </p><p class="hdg">from the sword.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/30-31.htm">Asshur</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-31.htm">Assyria</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-31.htm">Assyrian</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-30.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-10.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-28.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-11.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/psalms/18-14.htm">Discomfited</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-5.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-22.htm">Face</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-3.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-3.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-3.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-19.htm">Forced</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-30.htm">Great</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-25.htm">High</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-17.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-19.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-1.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/psalms/73-5.htm">Mortals</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-14.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-32.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-24.htm">Taskwork</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-24.htm">Tributary</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-4.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/36-1.htm">Asshur</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-1.htm">Assyria</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-18.htm">Assyrian</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-6.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-11.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-2.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-11.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-6.htm">Discomfited</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-32.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-3.htm">Face</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-9.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-14.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-3.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-3.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-9.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-12.htm">Forced</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-2.htm">Great</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-15.htm">High</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-14.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-11.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-12.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-7.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/10-5.htm">Mortals</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-6.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-5.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/joshua/16-10.htm">Taskwork</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-1.htm">Tributary</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-4.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">The prophet shows the folly and danger of trusting Egypt, and forsaking God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/31-6.htm">He exhorts to conversion</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/31-8.htm">He shows the fall of Assyria</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The fall of Assyria is significant as it demonstrates God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to bring down even the most formidable empires. Historically, Assyria's decline began with internal strife and was completed by the rise of the Babylonian and Median empires, culminating in the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC.<p><b>but not by the sword of man</b><br>This indicates that Assyria's fall will not be due to human military intervention alone. It suggests divine intervention, emphasizing that God Himself will orchestrate their downfall. This aligns with the biblical theme that God often uses supernatural means to achieve His purposes, as seen in other instances like the defeat of the Midianites by Gideon (Judges 7) and the destruction of Sennacherib's army (<a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">2 Kings 19:35</a>).<p><b>a sword will devour them, but not one made by mortals</b><br>The "sword" here symbolizes God's judgment and power, not a literal weapon. This reflects the biblical motif of God fighting for His people, as seen in <a href="/exodus/14-14.htm">Exodus 14:14</a>, where God promises to fight for Israel. The phrase underscores the futility of relying on human strength and the ultimate authority of God over all creation.<p><b>They will flee before the sword</b><br>This suggests a panic and retreat among the Assyrian forces, reminiscent of other biblical accounts where God causes confusion and fear among enemy armies (e.g., <a href="/2_chronicles/20-22.htm">2 Chronicles 20:22-23</a>). It highlights the theme of divine retribution and the fulfillment of God's promises to protect His people.<p><b>and their young men will be put to forced labor</b><br>This outcome reflects the common practice in ancient times where defeated peoples were often subjected to servitude. It serves as a reversal of fortunes for the Assyrians, who had previously enslaved others. This phrase also echoes the biblical principle of reaping what one sows (<a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a>), as Assyria's own oppressive practices are turned back upon them.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_assyrian.htm">The Assyrian</a></b><br>Represents the Assyrian Empire, a dominant power during Isaiah's time, known for its military might and oppression of Israel and Judah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sword_not_of_man.htm">Sword Not of Man</a></b><br>Symbolizes divine intervention, indicating that the downfall of the Assyrian will be by God's power, not human effort.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/y/young_men.htm">Young Men</a></b><br>Refers to the Assyrian soldiers or young warriors who will be captured and subjected to forced labor, highlighting the complete defeat of the Assyrian forces.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_sovereignty.htm">Divine Sovereignty</a></b><br>God's power is supreme over all earthly powers. Believers can trust in His ability to deliver and protect them from seemingly insurmountable challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_god.htm">Reliance on God</a></b><br>Just as Judah was called to trust in God rather than alliances with other nations, Christians are encouraged to rely on God rather than worldly solutions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>The prophecy's fulfillment demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises. Believers can be assured that God will fulfill His promises in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The "sword not of man" can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual battles, reminding Christians that their struggles are not against flesh and blood but require spiritual weapons.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_mercy.htm">Judgment and Mercy</a></b><br>While God judges nations and powers, His ultimate goal is to bring about His redemptive purposes. Believers should seek to align with God's will and purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_details_on_assyria's_decline.htm">Isaiah 31:8 predicts the Assyrian downfall but doesn’t detail the actual historical cause—why is there no clear reference to the specific events that led to Assyria’s decline? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_hezekiah_unconcerned_in_isaiah_39_8.htm">Isaiah 39:8: Why does Hezekiah seem untroubled by the future judgment pronounced on his descendants, and what does this imply about his character or leadership?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_isaiah_25_7-8_and_science_align.htm">In Isaiah 25:7-8, the idea that God will 'swallow up death forever' seems to conflict with scientific understanding of mortality; how can this be reconciled?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_rome.htm">What will Jesus do upon His return?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Not of a mighty man . . .</span>--The Hebrew has no adjectives, but the nouns are those which are commonly opposed to each other in this way, as in <a href="/isaiah/2-9.htm" title="And the mean man bows down, and the great man humbles himself: therefore forgive them not.">Isaiah 2:9</a>, like the Latin <span class= "ital">vir </span>and <span class= "ital">homo. </span>The thought expressed is, of course, that the whole work would be of God, and not of man. The "sword" was that of the Divine judgment (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm" title="If I whet my glittering sword, and my hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to my enemies, and will reward them that hate me.">Deuteronomy 32:41</a>), perhaps, as in <a href="/1_chronicles/21-16.htm" title="And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces.">1Chronicles 21:16</a>, of the destroying angel of the pestilence.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man</span>; rather, <span class="accented">and Assyria shall fall by the sword of one who is not a man</span> Assyria's destruction will not be by the visible swords of human enemies, but by the invisible sword of God (comp. <a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">2 Kings 19:35</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And the sword</span>, <span class="cmt_word">not of a mean man, shall devour him</span>; rather, <span class="accented">and the sword of one who is not a mortal shall detour him - an</span> instance of "synonymous parallelism." <span class="cmt_word">He shall flee</span>; more literally, <span class="accented">betake himself to flight</span>. <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>His young men shall be discomfited</span>; rather, as in the margin, <span class="accented">shall be for tribute</span>. They shall become the vassals of a foreign power. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/31-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Then Assyria</span><br /><span class="heb">אַשּׁוּר֙</span> <span class="translit">(’aš·šūr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_804.htm">Strong's 804: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ashshur</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will fall,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָפַ֤ל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·p̄al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by the sword</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּחֶ֣רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of man;</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֔ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a sword</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחֶ֥רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will devour them,</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּֽאכֲלֶ֑נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tō·ḵă·len·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one made by mortals.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They will flee</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָ֥ס</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">מִפְּנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(mip·pə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sword,</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶ֔רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and their young men</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבַחוּרָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇa·ḥū·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_970.htm">Strong's 970: </a> </span><span class="str2">Selected, a youth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be put</span><br /><span class="heb">יִהְיֽוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yih·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to forced labor.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָמַ֥ס</span> <span class="translit">(lā·mas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4522.htm">Strong's 4522: </a> </span><span class="str2">Body of forced laborers, forced service, taskworkers, taskwork, serfdom</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/31-8.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 31:8 The Assyrian will fall by the sword (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/31-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 31:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 31:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/31-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 31:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 31:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>