2:4 He will judge disputes between nations;
he will settle cases for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares, 1
and their spears into pruning hooks. 2
Nations will not take up the sword against other nations,
and they will no longer train for war.
31:1 Those who go down to Egypt for help are as good as dead, 3
those who rely on war horses,
and trust in Egypt’s many chariots 4
and in their many, many horsemen. 5
But they do not rely on the Holy One of Israel 6
and do not seek help from the Lord.
1 sn Instead of referring to the large plow as a whole, the plowshare is simply the metal tip which actually breaks the earth and cuts the furrow.
2 sn This implement was used to prune the vines, i.e., to cut off extra leaves and young shoots (H. Wildberger, Isaiah, 1:93; M. Klingbeil, NIDOTTE 1:1117-18). It was a short knife with a curved hook at the end sharpened on the inside like a sickle. Breaking weapons and fashioning agricultural implements indicates a transition from fear and stress to peace and security.
3 tn Heb “Woe [to] those who go down to Egypt for help.”
4 tn Heb “and trust in chariots for they are many.”
5 tn Heb “and in horsemen for they are very strong [or “numerous”].”
6 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.