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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 31:3 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/31-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/23_Isa_31_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 31:3 - Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. 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When the LORD stretches out his hand, those who help will stumble, those who are helped will fall; all will perish together. <a href="/nlt/isaiah/31.htm">New Living Translation</a> For these Egyptians are mere humans, not God! Their horses are puny flesh, not mighty spirits! When the LORD raises his fist against them, those who help will stumble, and those being helped will fall. They will all fall down and die together. <a href="/esv/isaiah/31.htm">English Standard Version</a> The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together. <a href="/bsb/isaiah/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/isaiah/31.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/isaiah/31.htm">New King James Version</a> Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together. <a href="/nasb_/isaiah/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now the Egyptians are human and not God, And their horses are flesh and not spirit; So the LORD will stretch out His hand, And any helper will stumble, And one who is helped will fall. And all of them will come to an end together. <a href="/nasb/isaiah/31.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now the Egyptians are men and not God, And their horses are flesh and not spirit; So the LORD will stretch out His hand, And he who helps will stumble And he who is helped will fall, And all of them will come to an end together. <a href="/nasb77/isaiah/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now the Egyptians are men, and not God, And their horses are flesh and not spirit; So the LORD will stretch out His hand, And he who helps will stumble And he who is helped will fall, And all of them will come to an end together. <a href="/lsb/isaiah/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now the Egyptians are men and not God, And their horses are flesh and not spirit; So Yahweh will stretch out His hand, And he who helps will stumble, And he who is helped will fall, And all of them will come to an end together. <a href="/amp/isaiah/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now the Egyptians are men and not God, And their horses are flesh and not spirit; And the LORD will stretch out His hand, And he (Egypt) who helps will stumble, And he (Judah) who is helped will fall, And all of them will perish together. <a href="/csb/isaiah/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD raises his hand to strike, the helper will stumble and the one who is helped will fall; both will perish together. <a href="/hcsb/isaiah/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD raises His hand to strike, the helper will stumble and the one who is helped will fall; both will perish together. <a href="/asv/isaiah/31.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/isaiah/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Egyptians are mere humans. They aren't God. Their horses are made of flesh; they can't live forever. When the LORD shows his power, he will destroy the Egyptians and all who depend on them. Together they will fall. <a href="/erv/isaiah/31.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit: and when the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall stumble, and he that is holpen shall fall, and they all shall fail together. <a href="/gwt/isaiah/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The Egyptians are humans, not gods. Their horses are flesh and blood, not spirit. When the LORD uses his powerful hand, the one who gives help will stumble, and the one who receives help will fall. Both will die together. <a href="/gnt/isaiah/31.htm">Good News Translation</a> The Egyptians are not gods--they are only human. Their horses are not supernatural. When the LORD acts, the strong nation will crumble, and the weak nation it helped will fall. Both of them will be destroyed. <a href="/isv/isaiah/31.htm">International Standard Version</a> The Egyptians are men, not God, and their horses are physical, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, anyone who assists will stumble, and the one who is helped will fall; and they will all perish together." <a href="/msb/isaiah/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/isaiah/31.htm">NET Bible</a> The Egyptians are mere humans, not God; their horses are made of flesh, not spirit. The LORD will strike with his hand; the one who helps will stumble and the one being helped will fall. Together they will perish. <a href="/nheb/isaiah/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, both he who helps shall stumble, and he who is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together. <a href="/wbt/isaiah/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 helped shall fall down, and they all shall fail together. <a href="/web/isaiah/31.htm">World English Bible</a> Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When Yahweh stretches out his hand, both he who helps shall stumble, and he who is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/isaiah/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the Egyptians [are men], and not God, "" And their horses [are] flesh, and not spirit, "" And YHWH stretches out His hand, "" And the helper has stumbled, "" And the helped one has fallen, "" And together all of them are consumed. <a href="/ylt/isaiah/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the Egyptians are men, and not God, And their horses are flesh, and not spirit, And Jehovah stretcheth out His hand, And stumbled hath the helper, And fallen hath the helped one, And together all of them are consumed. <a href="/slt/isaiah/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the Egyptians, men and not God; and their horses, flesh and not spirit And Jehovah will stretch forth his hand, and he helping became weak, and he being helped, fell, and together shall they all be finished.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/isaiah/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Egypt is man, and not God: and their horses, flesh, and not spirit: and the Lord shall put down his hand, and the helper shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall, and they shall al be confounded together. <a href="/cpdv/isaiah/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Egypt is man, and not God. And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. And so, the Lord will reach down his hand, and the helper will fall, and the one who was being helped will fall, and they will all be consumed together. <a href="/nabre/isaiah/31.htm">New American Bible</a> The Egyptians are human beings, not God, their horses flesh, not spirit; When the LORD stretches forth his hand, the helper shall stumble, the one helped shall fall, and both of them shall perish together. <a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The Egyptians are human, and not God; their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and the one helped will fall, and they will all perish together.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now the Egyptians are men and not God; and their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both the helper shall be overthrown, and he that is helped shall fall down, and they all shall be annihilated together. <a href="/hpbt/isaiah/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the Egyptians are men and they are not gods, and their horses are of flesh and they are not of spirit, and LORD JEHOVAH shall stretch out his hand, and the helper shall be overthrown and also he who is helped shall fall, and they all shall come to an end as one<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/isaiah/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Now the Egyptians are men, and not God, And their horses flesh, and not spirit; So when the LORD shall stretch out His hand, Both he that helpeth shall stumble, and he that is helped shall fall, And they all shall perish together. <a href="/sep/isaiah/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> even an Egyptian, a man, and not God; the flesh of horses, and there is no help in them: but the Lord shall bring his hand upon them, and the helpers shall fail, and all shall perish together. <a href="/parallel/isaiah/31-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=6564" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/isaiah/31.htm">Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt</a> …2Yet 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. 3<a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: ū·miṣ·ra·yim (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">But the Egyptians</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">are men,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">God;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5483.htm" title="5483: wə·sū·sê·hem (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- A swallow, swift (type of bird). Or cuc; from an unused root meaning to skip; a horse; also a swallow.">their horses</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bā·śār (N-ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">are flesh,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ (N-cs) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">spirit.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">When the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: yaṭ·ṭeh (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">stretches out</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">His hand,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5826.htm" title="5826: ‘ō·w·zêr (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To help, succor. A primitive root; to surround, i.e. Protect or aid.">the helper</a> <a href="/hebrew/3782.htm" title="3782: wə·ḵā·šal (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To stumble, stagger, totter. A primitive root; to totter or waver; by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall.">will stumble,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5826.htm" title="5826: ‘ā·zur (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To help, succor. A primitive root; to surround, i.e. Protect or aid.">and the one he helps</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/3605.htm" title="3605: kul·lām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">both</a> <a href="/hebrew/3615.htm" title="3615: yiḵ·lā·yūn (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: Pn) -- To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent. A primitive root; to end, whether intransitive or transitived.">will perish</a> <a href="/hebrew/3162.htm" title="3162: wə·yaḥ·dāw (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Unitedness. From yachad; properly, a unit, i.e. unitedly.">together.</a> 4For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/jeremiah/17-5.htm">Jeremiah 17:5</a> This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. <a href="/psalms/20-7.htm">Psalm 20:7</a> Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. <a href="/hosea/1-7.htm">Hosea 1:7</a> 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.” <a href="/2_chronicles/32-8.htm">2 Chronicles 32:8</a> With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. <a href="/ezekiel/29-6.htm">Ezekiel 29:6-7</a> Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel. / When Israel took hold of you with their hands, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke, and their backs were wrenched. <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1-3</a> “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. <a href="/isaiah/36-6.htm">Isaiah 36:6</a> Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. <a href="/isaiah/20-5.htm">Isaiah 20:5-6</a> Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed. / And on that day the dwellers of this coastland will say, ‘See what has happened to our source of hope, those to whom we fled for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?’” <a href="/isaiah/2-22.htm">Isaiah 2:22</a> Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? <a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">Isaiah 30:7</a> Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still. <a href="/2_kings/18-21.htm">2 Kings 18:21</a> Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. <a href="/psalms/146-3.htm">Psalm 146:3</a> Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save. <a href="/isaiah/19-1.htm">Isaiah 19:1-3</a> This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them. / “So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. / Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. <a href="/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16</a> “No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster. <a href="/isaiah/9-4.htm">Isaiah 9:4</a> 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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 helps shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.the Egyptians<a href="/isaiah/36-6.htm">Isaiah 36:6</a> Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.<a href="/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30,31</a> How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? … <a href="/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20</a> Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.their horses<a href="/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17</a> An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.stretch<a href="/isaiah/9-17.htm">Isaiah 9:17</a> 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.<a href="/jeremiah/15-6.htm">Jeremiah 15:6</a> 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.<a href="/ezekiel/20-33.htm">Ezekiel 20:33,34</a> 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: … both<a href="/jeremiah/37-7.htm">Jeremiah 37:7-10</a> Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to inquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/29-20.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">Egyptians</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">End</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-4.htm">Fail</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-25.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-18.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-13.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-28.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-21.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-19.htm">Helped</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-7.htm">Helper</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">Helpeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">Helps</a> <a href="/psalms/86-17.htm">Holpen</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-31.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-20.htm">Stretch</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-30.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-20.htm">Stretches</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-20.htm">Stretcheth</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-13.htm">Stumble</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-15.htm">Stumbled</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-12.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/64-7.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-13.htm">Egyptians</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-1.htm">End</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-6.htm">Fail</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-8.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-8.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-7.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-20.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-17.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-6.htm">Helped</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Helper</a> <a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Helpeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-6.htm">Helps</a> <a href="/daniel/11-34.htm">Holpen</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-8.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-2.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-11.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-15.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Stretch</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-23.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-17.htm">Stretches</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm">Stretcheth</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-30.htm">Stumble</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-14.htm">Stumbled</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-4.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 31</div>1. <a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">The prophet shows the folly and danger of trusting Egypt, and forsaking God</a> 6. <a href="/isaiah/31-6.htm">He exhorts to conversion</a> 8. <a href="/isaiah/31-8.htm">He shows the fall of Assyria</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But the Egyptians are men, not God; This phrase emphasizes the distinction between human power and divine authority. In the historical context, Egypt was a powerful nation, often seen as a source of military aid. However, the Israelites are reminded that the Egyptians, despite their might, are mere mortals. This echoes the biblical theme of reliance on God rather than human strength, as seen in <a href="/psalms/118-8.htm">Psalm 118:8-9</a>, which advises trust in the Lord over trust in princes.their horses are flesh, not spirit. Horses in ancient times were symbols of military strength and power. The reference to "flesh, not spirit" contrasts the physical, temporary nature of human resources with the eternal, spiritual power of God. This distinction is crucial in understanding the futility of relying on earthly power, as highlighted in <a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6</a>, which states that success comes "not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord.When the LORD stretches out His hand, The imagery of God stretching out His hand signifies divine intervention and judgment. This phrase is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's active role in delivering or disciplining His people, as seen in <a href="/exodus/7-5.htm">Exodus 7:5</a> during the plagues of Egypt. It underscores God's sovereignty and ability to influence the course of human events.the helper will stumble, The "helper" refers to Egypt, which Israel sought for assistance. The prophecy indicates that those who rely on human aid instead of God will find their support unreliable. This is a recurring theme in the Bible, where reliance on foreign alliances often leads to downfall, as illustrated in <a href="/2_chronicles/16-7.htm">2 Chronicles 16:7-9</a> with King Asa's reliance on the king of Aram.and the one he helps will fall; This phrase indicates that not only will the helper (Egypt) fail, but also those who depend on them (Israel). It serves as a warning against misplaced trust and highlights the consequences of not seeking God's guidance. This is consistent with the biblical principle found in <a href="/jeremiah/17-5.htm">Jeremiah 17:5</a>, which warns against trusting in man and turning away from the Lord.both will perish together. The ultimate outcome of relying on human strength instead of God is destruction for both parties involved. This reflects the biblical teaching that true security and salvation come only from God. The fate of both the helper and the helped serves as a cautionary tale, reinforcing the message found in <a href="/isaiah/30.htm">Isaiah 30:1-3</a>, where reliance on Egypt is described as a source of shame and disgrace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/egyptians.htm">Egyptians</a> A powerful nation known for its military strength and reliance on horses and chariots. In the context of Isaiah, they represent human reliance on worldly power rather than divine support. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The God of Israel, who is sovereign and all-powerful. He contrasts with the Egyptians, emphasizing divine power over human strength. 3. <a href="/topical/h/horses.htm">Horses</a> Symbolic of military might and human strength. In ancient times, horses were a key component of warfare, representing reliance on physical power. 4. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The people of God, who are being warned against seeking alliances with Egypt instead of trusting in the LORD. 5. <a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a> The prophet delivering God's message, warning Israel of the futility of relying on Egypt for protection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_god_vs._human_strength.htm">Reliance on God vs. Human Strength</a> Trusting in human power, like the Egyptians' military might, is ultimately futile. True security comes from reliance on God, who is spirit and not limited by physical constraints. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_misplaced_trust.htm">The Consequences of Misplaced Trust</a> When we place our trust in worldly powers or alliances, we risk stumbling and falling. God's sovereignty means that He alone is the source of true help and protection. <a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a> God's ability to stretch out His hand and cause both the helper and the helped to fall underscores His ultimate control over all nations and powers. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_vs._physical_realities.htm">Spiritual vs. Physical Realities</a> The contrast between flesh and spirit in this verse invites believers to consider the spiritual realities that underpin physical circumstances. Our battles are not merely physical but spiritual. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a> This passage challenges believers to examine where they place their trust and encourages a shift from reliance on human solutions to faith in God's provision and protection.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 31</a> <a href="/q/why_does_egypt's_influence_persist.htm">Isaiah 31:3 mentions Egypt’s mortal nature—why then does archaeological evidence show Egyptian influence persisting long after this prophecy implied vulnerability? </a> <a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_judah-egypt_alliance.htm">In Isaiah 30:1-7, is there historical or archaeological evidence that conclusively supports or disputes Judah's alliance with Egypt?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_god_view_human_strength.htm">(Psalm 147:10-11) How does God's supposed indifference to physical strength align with other biblical passages that celebrate or rely upon human might in battles and conquests?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_isaiah_31_with_god's_use_of_pagan_nations.htm">How do we reconcile Isaiah 31's call to trust God over foreign alliances with other passages where God uses pagan nations for His purposes?</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>(3) The Egyptians are men . . .--We hear again the key-note of Isaiah's teaching. The true strength of a nation lay in its spiritual, not in its material, greatness: in seeking the Holy One of Israel by practising holiness. Without that condition the alliance with Egypt would be fatal both to those that sought for help and those who gave it.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - Now the Egyptians are men, and not God. Judah relied on Pharaoh, as on a sort of God, which indeed he was considered in his own country ('Records of the Past,' vol. 6. p. 145, I. 320; p. 148, 1.418, etc.). Isaiah asserts the contrary in the strongest way: the Egyptians, one and all, are men - mere men; and "there is no help in them" (<a href="/psalms/146-3.htm">Psalm 146:3</a>). Their horses flesh, and not spirit. The horses, on which so much reliance was placed, were mere animals, subject to all the weakness of the animal nature, not spirit-horses, with a life and vigor of their own, by which they could be a real tower of strength to those on whose side they ranged themselves. They all shall fail together; i.e. the helpers and the helped (compare the concluding clauses of ver. 2). <a href="/commentaries/isaiah/31-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But the Egyptians וּמִצְרַ֤יִם (ū·miṣ·ra·yim) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa are men, אָדָם֙ (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> Ruddy, a human being not וְֽלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no God; אֵ֔ל (’êl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty their horses וְסוּסֵיהֶ֥ם (wə·sū·sê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5483.htm">Strong's 5483: </a> A swallow, swift (type of bird) are flesh, בָּשָׂ֖ר (bā·śār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man not וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no spirit. ר֑וּחַ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit When the LORD וַֽיהוָ֞ה (Yah·weh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel stretches out יַטֶּ֣ה (yaṭ·ṭeh) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend His hand, יָד֗וֹ (yā·ḏōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand the helper עוֹזֵר֙ (‘ō·w·zêr) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5826.htm">Strong's 5826: </a> To surround, protect, aid will stumble וְכָשַׁ֤ל (wə·ḵā·šal) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3782.htm">Strong's 3782: </a> To totter, waver, to falter, stumble, faint, fall and the one he helps עָזֻ֔ר (‘ā·zur) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5826.htm">Strong's 5826: </a> To surround, protect, aid will fall; וְנָפַ֣ל (wə·nā·p̄al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> To fall, lie both כֻּלָּ֥ם (kul·lām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every will perish יִכְלָיֽוּן׃ (yiḵ·lā·yūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3615.htm">Strong's 3615: </a> To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent together. וְיַחְדָּ֖ו (wə·yaḥ·dāw) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3162.htm">Strong's 3162: </a> A unit, unitedly <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-3.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 31:3 Now the Egyptians are men and not (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/31-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 31:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 31:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/31-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 31:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 31:4" /></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>