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Isaiah 31:2

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 31:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evil-doers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evil-doers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.
Isaiah 31:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah!
2Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evil-doers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.
3Now 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.
4For thus saith Jehovah unto me, As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds be called forth against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so will Jehovah of hosts come down to fight upon mount Zion, and upon the hill thereof.
5As birds hovering, so will Jehovah of hosts protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver [it], he will pass over and preserve [it].
← Isaiah 31:1Isaiah 31:3 →
← Full Chapter 31 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yet he also [is] wise, &c.] That is, God, the Holy One of Israel, is, whom they disregarded; and wiser too than the Egyptians, to whom they sought for help, and who were thought to be a wise and political people; and wiser than themselves, who imagined they acted a prudent part, in applying to them; so wise as to know all their schemes, and able to confound them, as well as most certainly and fully to complete his own; and it would have been therefore the highest wisdom to have sought to him, and not to men: and will bring evil; the evil of punishment or affliction on wicked men, which he has threatened, and which they could in no wise escape, by taking the methods they did: and will not…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“he also is wise--as well as the Egyptian priests, so famed for wisdom (Act 7:22), but who are "fools" before Him (Isa 19:11). He not only devises, but executes what He devises without "calling back His words" (Num 23:19). home--the whole race. help--the Egyptian succor sought by the Jews.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Yet he also is wise - God is wise. It is in vain to attempt to deceive him, or to accomplish such purposes without his knowledge. And will bring evil - The punishment which is due to such want of confidence in him. But will arise against the house of the evil-doers - This is a general proposition, and it is evidently just as true now as it was in the time of Isaiah. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He is safe - You think you are safe, in engaging the Egyptians; but God is not inferior to them in wisdom or strength, and therefore you have done foolishly, in preferring them before him, who will execute his judgments upon you, notwithstanding all the Egyptians can do. The help - The helpers, as it is explained in the next verse. Isaiah 31:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he also: Sa1 2:3; Job 5:13; Jer 10:7, Jer 10:12; Co1 1:21-29; Jde 1:25 will bring: Isa 30:13, Isa 30:14, Isa 45:7; Jos 23:15; Amo 3:6 will not: Num 23:19; Jer 36:32, Jer 44:29; Zac 1:6; Mat 24:35 call back: Heb. remove arise: Isa 28:21, Isa 63:4, Isa 63:5; Num 10:35; Psa 12:5, Psa 12:6, Psa 68:1, Psa 68:2, Psa 78:65, Psa 78:66; Zep 3:8 against the help: Isa 31:3, Isa 20:4-6, Isa 30:3; Jer 44:29, Jer 44:30; Eze 29:6 Isaiah 31:3”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification