Isaiah 31:3 - 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.
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What does "Isaiah 31:3" mean?
Isaiah 31:3 is a warning to the people of Judah against relying on Egypt for military assistance against the Assyrian empire. The verse highlights the limitations of human power and the supremacy of God. Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:
"Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit." This is the core of the verse. It's a direct statement emphasizing the mortality and limitations of the Egyptians. They are not divine beings; they are simply humans. Similarly, their horses, which are a symbol of military strength, are made of flesh and blood, not spiritual power. This is in contrast to God, who is all-powerful and eternal.
"When Yahweh stretches out his hand..." This phrase speaks to God's intervention. The act of stretching out his hand signifies God's active involvement in the situation, and it implies his judgment or exercise of power.
"...both he who helps shall stumble, and he who is helped shall fall..." This describes the consequences of relying on Egypt. "He who helps" refers to Egypt, the nation providing assistance. "He who is helped" refers to Judah, the nation seeking that assistance. When God acts, both the helper and the one being helped will fail. The implication is that their reliance on human strength instead of God will lead to their downfall.
"...and they all shall be consumed together." This is the final and most severe consequence. It signifies complete destruction and annihilation. Both Egypt and Judah will suffer a common fate because of their misplaced trust.
In essence, the verse is a critique of Judah's lack of faith in God and their reliance on worldly alliances. It serves as a reminder that true security comes from God alone, not from human powers or military might. Relying on Egypt is foolish because they are merely human and their strength is limited. God, on the other hand, is all-powerful, and when He intervenes, all who oppose His will or rely on earthly powers will face destruction.
Isaiah 31:3 - 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.
What does "Isaiah 31:3" mean?
Isaiah 31:3 is a warning to the people of Judah against relying on Egypt for military assistance against the Assyrian empire. The verse highlights the limitations of human power and the supremacy of God. Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:
"Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit." This is the core of the verse. It's a direct statement emphasizing the mortality and limitations of the Egyptians. They are not divine beings; they are simply humans. Similarly, their horses, which are a symbol of military strength, are made of flesh and blood, not spiritual power. This is in contrast to God, who is all-powerful and eternal.
"When Yahweh stretches out his hand..." This phrase speaks to God's intervention. The act of stretching out his hand signifies God's active involvement in the situation, and it implies his judgment or exercise of power.
"...both he who helps shall stumble, and he who is helped shall fall..." This describes the consequences of relying on Egypt. "He who helps" refers to Egypt, the nation providing assistance. "He who is helped" refers to Judah, the nation seeking that assistance. When God acts, both the helper and the one being helped will fail. The implication is that their reliance on human strength instead of God will lead to their downfall.
"...and they all shall be consumed together." This is the final and most severe consequence. It signifies complete destruction and annihilation. Both Egypt and Judah will suffer a common fate because of their misplaced trust.
In essence, the verse is a critique of Judah's lack of faith in God and their reliance on worldly alliances. It serves as a reminder that true security comes from God alone, not from human powers or military might. Relying on Egypt is foolish because they are merely human and their strength is limited. God, on the other hand, is all-powerful, and when He intervenes, all who oppose His will or rely on earthly powers will face destruction.