The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to miss how the verse contrasts not just human vs. divine power, but also the living, active power of God ("spirit") with the inherently weak, perishable nature of the physical world ("flesh"). This isn't just about Egyptians being mortal; it's about their entire system—people and horses alike—lacking the dynamic, life-giving force that only God possesses.
The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this passage, Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah who are desperately seeking military aid from Egypt against the invading Assyrians. He's emphasizing the futility of this alliance, pointing out that Egypt's strength is purely human and material, lacking any divine power or spiritual backing. The prophet warns that when God intervenes, both the helper (Egypt) and the one being helped (Judah) will ultimately fail and perish together.
When facing overwhelming challenges, where do you instinctively turn for help? The prophet Isaiah confronts Judah with a stark reality about their reliance on Egypt.
The Limits of Human Power
Isaiah uses a powerful contrast: "The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit." This isn't just a poetic flourish; it's a theological declaration.
Relying on human alliances or military strength, as Judah was doing, is like building on sand. It's a temporary, unstable foundation destined to crumble.
What happens when the finite strength of man meets the infinite power of the Almighty? Isaiah paints a dramatic picture of inevitable collapse.
The Sovereignty of God's Action
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Isaiah doesn't just expose the weakness of Egypt; he reveals the ultimate power that supersedes all human endeavors: "When the LORD stretches out his hand..."
This isn't about luck or chance; it's about divine sovereignty. When God decides to move, all human strength, alliances, and strategies become utterly useless and even contribute to their own downfall.
Understand the original words
ʾādām · Hebrew Noun
The fundamental nature of humanity as created beings who are mortal, finite, and limited, contrasting with the infinite nature of God.
rûaḥ · Hebrew Noun
The vital, immaterial life-force of a being; in biblical usage, it often refers to God’s power or the divine presence as contrasted with the material world.
This prophecy addresses Judah's dangerous reliance on Egypt for military aid against the mighty Assyrian Empire. Isaiah emphasizes that Egypt, despite its power, is merely human and cannot stand against God's hand, highlighting the folly of trusting in earthly alliances over divine protection.
c. 734 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War begins
Assyrian King Tiglath-Pileser III begins military campaigns in the region, putting pressure on the kingdoms of Israel (Samaria) and Judah. This event sets the stage for the crisis that prompts Judah to seek Egyptian aid.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) is conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and its people are deported. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah about the might of Assyria and the consequences of its alliances.
c. 705 BC— this verse
Hezekiah's Rebellion
King Hezekiah of Judah rebels against Assyrian rule and seeks an alliance with Egypt, hoping for military support against the Assyrian Empire.
701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities. Jerusalem is besieged, but miraculously spared from destruction, partly due to a divine intervention and the ultimate failure of Egypt to provide effective aid.
This passage directly echoes Isaiah's warning, proclaiming a curse on those who trust in humans and rely on 'arm of flesh' instead of the Lord.
Psalm 146:3This psalm highlights the futility of trusting in princes or 'sons of man,' emphasizing that they cannot save, which directly parallels Isaiah's critique of relying on human strength like that of Egypt.
1 Samuel 15:22This passage emphasizes that obedience is better than sacrifice, aligning with Isaiah's theme that true strength and salvation come from God, not from human alliances or material might.
2 Kings 18:19-21This account depicts the Assyrian Rabshakeh mocking Hezekiah's reliance on Egypt, directly illustrating the very scenario Isaiah is condemning—Egypt's supposed strength proving to be 'flesh and not spirit' when God intervenes.
John 6:63Jesus declares that 'the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.' This New Testament teaching strongly resonates with Isaiah's contrast between the spiritual power of God and the limited, mortal nature of the fleshly might of Egypt.
barnesIsaiah 31:3: "Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together."
Now the Egyptians are men - They are nothing but people; they have no power but such as other people possess. The idea here is, that the case in reference to which they sought aid was one in which "divine" help was indispensable, and that, therefore, they…
clarkeIsaiah 31:3: "Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together."
He that helpeth (the Egyptians) shall fall and he that is holpen (the Israelites) shall fall down-together.
It's easy to miss how the verse contrasts not just human vs. divine power, but also the living, active power of God ("spirit") with the inherently weak, perishable nature of the physical world ("flesh"). This isn't just about Egyptians being mortal; it's about their entire system—people and horses alike—lacking the dynamic, life-giving force that only God possesses.
In this passage, Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah who are desperately seeking military aid from Egypt against the invading Assyrians. He's emphasizing the futility of this alliance, pointing out that Egypt's strength is purely human and material, lacking any divine power or spiritual backing. The prophet warns that when God intervenes, both the helper (Egypt) and the one being helped (Judah) will ultimately fail and perish together.
In this passage, Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah who are desperately seeking military aid from Egypt against the invading Assyrians. He's emphasizing the futility of this alliance, pointing out that Egypt's strength is purely human and material, lacking any divine power or spiritual backing. The prophet warns that when God intervenes, both the helper (Egypt) and the one being helped (Judah) will ultimately fail and perish together.
"The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together." — It's easy to miss how the verse contrasts not just human vs. divine power, but also the living, active power of God ("spirit") with the inherently weak, perishable nature of the physical world ("fles…
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Last reviewed October 2026