Discovery BoxIsaiah 31:1-3 
Context31:1 Those who go down to Egypt for help are as good as dead, 1
those who rely on war horses,
and trust in Egypt’s many chariots 2
and in their many, many horsemen. 3
But they do not rely on the Holy One of Israel 4
and do not seek help from the Lord.
31:2 Yet he too is wise 5 and he will bring disaster;
he does not retract his decree. 6
He will attack the wicked nation, 7
and the nation that helps 8 those who commit sin. 9
31:3 The Egyptians are mere humans, not God;
their horses are made of flesh, not spirit.
The Lord will strike with 10 his hand;
the one who helps will stumble
and the one being helped will fall.
Together they will perish. 11
1 tn Heb “Woe [to] those who go down to Egypt for help.”
2 tn Heb “and trust in chariots for they are many.”
3 tn Heb “and in horsemen for they are very strong [or “numerous”].”
4 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.
5 sn This statement appears to have a sarcastic tone. The royal advisers who are advocating an alliance with Egypt think they are wise, but the Lord possesses wisdom as well and will thwart their efforts.
6 tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”
7 tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”
8 sn That is, Egypt.
9 tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”
10 tn Heb “will extend”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NCV “stretch out.”
11 tn Heb “together all of them will come to an end.”
