Isaiah 31 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Isaiah 31:1

Woe. The fourth of the six woes.
down. It is always "down" to Egypt, geographically and morally.
trust. confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69.
the Holy One of Israel. See note on Isaiah 1:4.Psalms 71:22.
neither seek the LORD. Compare Isaiah 30:2. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 17:16). App-92.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. (with 'eth). App-4.
Isaiah 31:2

evil. evildoers. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44.
iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44.
Isaiah 31:3

men, and not GOD. Figure of speech Pleonasm. The statement put two ways for great emphasis (positive and negative).
men. Hebrew. 'ddam. App-14.
GOD. Hebrew El. the mighty God. App-4.
flesh, and not spirit. Figure of speech Pleonasm. See above.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
Isaiah 31:4

prey. live prey.
multitude. crowd.
the LORD of hosts. See note on Isaiah 1:9 and 1 Samuel 1:3.
for: or, over.
Isaiah 31:5

As birds flying. As birds hovering [covering and protecting their nest with their wings], so will, &c. The Figure of speech Ellipsis is to be thus supplied. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:11). App-92.
defend. shield. The verb is found only in Isaiah's utterances (2 Kings 19:34; 2 Kings 20:6. 2Ki 31:5. 2Ki 37:35. 2Ki 38:6. and Zechariah 9:15; Zechariah 12:8.
defending, &c.. shielding. Only used of God. Only here, 2Ki 19:34. 2 Kings 20:6. Literally "[then there will be]. shielding, and He will rescue;. passing over [as in Egypt at the Passover], and he will cause to escape. "
passing over. Reference to Pentateuch (Ex. Isa 12:13, Isa 12:23, Isa 12:27). App-92. This word is nowhere else used in this sense.
Isaiah 31:6

Turn. Return.
children. sons.
Isaiah 31:7

every man. Hebrew. 'Ish. App-14.
idols. nothings.
Isaiah 31:8

mighty man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14.
mean man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14.
discomfited. become tributaries.
Isaiah 31:9

pass over. Not the same word as in Isaiah 31:5 (which is pasah). Here, Hebrew. 'abar, to cross over, or retreat.