Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet highlights not just trusting in Egypt, but specifically in its military might – its "horses" and "chariots." This wasn't just about seeking aid, but a misplaced confidence in the brute force and sheer numbers of a foreign power, directly ignoring the "Holy One of Israel."
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people of Judah are feeling vulnerable, especially with the looming threat of the Assyrian empire, which boasts immense military might, particularly in its cavalry and chariots. In their fear and political maneuvering, they're looking to Egypt for military aid, valuing its renowned horses and chariots over seeking help from the Lord. Isaiah delivers a stern warning, "Woe to them," for this misplaced trust signifies a deep spiritual failure: turning away from God's power and wisdom to rely on the strength of mere human endeavors.
Ever felt like you needed a backup plan, something more reliable than just faith? This verse calls out a common temptation.
Isaiah calls out the people of Judah for turning to Egypt for military might. They were impressed by Egypt's vast numbers of horses and chariots, seeing them as a strong defense against the powerful Assyrian army.
This reliance on human strength and resources, often called 'arms of flesh' in Scripture, is a trap. It looks smart and practical, especially when facing overwhelming odds. But it's a redirection of trust from the One who truly holds all power.
What does it mean to 'look to the Holy One' and 'seek the Lord' in practical terms?
The core of Isaiah's message here is a profound spiritual disconnect. The people were looking at the visible might of Egypt, but they were not looking to the invisible, ultimate power of the 'Holy One of Israel' – God Himself.
'Seeking the Lord' isn't just about prayer; it's about consulting Him, asking for His counsel, and aligning your plans with His. Their reliance on Egypt stemmed from a failure to consult God and trust His promises and His wisdom, even when the situation seemed dire.
Understand the original words
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hôy · Hebrew Interjection
An exclamation of grief, judgment, or impending doom; it often announces the consequences of sin and divine displeasure.
bāṭaḥ · Hebrew Verb
In the context of Isaiah, this refers to the theological error of seeking security in earthly powers and political alliances rather than in God's covenantal protection.
qādôš yiśrāʾēl · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title for God emphasizing His transcendence, purity, and set-apartness, specifically in relation to His covenant people, Israel.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenant-keeping name of God, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His faithfulness and eternal nature.
This prophecy arose during a critical period when Judah was contemplating an alliance with Egypt against the formidable Assyrian Empire. The prophet Isaiah warns them against trusting in Egypt's military might, particularly its famed horses and chariots, and instead urges them to rely solely on the Lord.
c. 705 BC
Sennacherib becomes Assyrian king
Sennacherib ascended the throne of the powerful Assyrian Empire, posing a significant military threat to the smaller kingdoms in the region, including Judah.
c. 703-701 BC— this verse
Judah seeks alliance with Egypt
Facing the growing threat of Assyria, the rulers of Judah, despite prophetic warnings, began seeking a military alliance with Egypt, hoping for support in chariots and cavalry.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian invasion of Judah
Sennacherib launched a military campaign into Judah, conquering many fortified cities and threatening Jerusalem, though the city itself was ultimately spared direct conquest.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian army withdraws from Jerusalem
The Assyrian army suddenly withdrew from Jerusalem under mysterious circumstances, often attributed to divine intervention or an outbreak of disease, saving the city from destruction.
This passage echoes Isaiah's warning, specifically calling out reliance on Egypt and the strength of 'Assyria' (representing oppressive powers) instead of the Lord, highlighting a recurring pattern of misplaced trust.
Psalm 20:7This Psalm directly contrasts the futility of trusting in chariots and horses with the power of invoking the name of the Lord, serving as a foundational principle behind Isaiah's critique.
Deuteronomy 17:16This verse provides the theological basis for Isaiah's condemnation, as it explicitly forbids Israel from multiplying horses or returning to Egypt, showing that reliance on such worldly power was a direct violation of God's command.
Isaiah 30:1-3This passage directly precedes Isaiah 31:1 and reiterates the same theme, condemning alliances with Egypt and emphasizing that true strength comes from quiet trust in the Lord, setting the immediate context for the verse.
1 Samuel 15:22-23This passage illustrates the principle that obedience to God is paramount and that rebellion (like seeking foreign alliances instead of divine counsel) is akin to the sin of witchcraft, underscoring the spiritual treason inherent in Isaiah's complaint.
bensonIsaiah 31:1: "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay 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 the LORD!"
Isaiah 31:1-3 . Wo to them that go down to Egypt, &c. — As the Jews did, contrary to God’s command, Deuteronomy 17:16 . And stay on horses — For Egypt had many and choice horses. But they look not unto the Lord — Their confidence in the creature was accompa…
cambridgeIsaiah 31:1: "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay 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 the LORD!"
1 . Woe to them that put their trust in the horses and chariots of Egypt! The Jews were painfully conscious of their weakness in cavalry as compared with the Assyrians, and this was one of the considerations that made a league with Egypt so attractive in th…
The prophet highlights not just trusting in Egypt, but specifically in its military might – its "horses" and "chariots." This wasn't just about seeking aid, but a misplaced confidence in the brute force and sheer numbers of a foreign power, directly ignoring the "Holy One of Israel."
The people of Judah are feeling vulnerable, especially with the looming threat of the Assyrian empire, which boasts immense military might, particularly in its cavalry and chariots. In their fear and political maneuvering, they're looking to Egypt for military aid, valuing its renowned horses and chariots over seeking help from the Lord. Isaiah delivers a stern warning, "Woe to them," for this misplaced trust signifies a deep spiritual failure: turning away from God's power and wisdom to rely on the strength of mere human endeavors.
The people of Judah are feeling vulnerable, especially with the looming threat of the Assyrian empire, which boasts immense military might, particularly in its cavalry and chariots. In their fear and political maneuvering, they're looking to Egypt for military aid, valuing its renowned horses and chariots over seeking help from the Lord. Isaiah delivers a stern warning, "Woe to them," for this misplaced trust signifies a deep spiritual failure: turning away from God's power and wisdom to rely on the strength of mere human endeavors.
"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult t…" — The prophet highlights not just trusting in Egypt, but specifically in its military might – its "horses" and "chariots." This wasn't just about seeking aid, but a misplaced confidence in the brute fo…
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Last reviewed October 2026