King James Version

What Does Isaiah 31:2 Mean?

Isaiah 31:2 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. call: Heb. remove

Isaiah 31:2 · KJV


Context

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!

2

Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. call: Heb. remove

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.

4

For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. noise: or, multitude


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet he also is wise (וְגַם־הוּא חָכָם, vegam-hu chakham)—a divine ironic statement: God too possesses חָכְמָה (chokmah, wisdom), just like Egypt's vaunted counselors. And will bring evil, and will not call back his words (וַיָּבֵא רָע וְאֶת־דְּבָרָיו לֹא הֵסִיר, vayave ra ve'et-devaraw lo hesir)—He will bring רָע (ra, evil, calamity) and won't הֵסִיר (hesir, remove, turn back) His words. But will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity (וְקָם עַל־בֵּית מְרֵעִים וְעַל־עֶזְרַת פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן, veqam al-beyt mere'im ve'al-ezrat po'aley aven).

The sarcasm cuts: they trust Egyptian wisdom while ignoring divine wisdom. God's wisdom, unlike human calculation, executes inevitable judgment. When He speaks רָע (ra, disaster), it comes—His דְּבָרִים (devarim, words) are irrevocable. He will קוּם (qum, arise, stand up) against both the מְרֵעִים (mere'im, evildoers) and their helper. Egypt won't escape; aiding rebels against God brings judgment on the helper. Romans 1:32 applies this principle: not only those who practice sin but those who 'have pleasure in them that do them' face condemnation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt's wisdom was legendary—Joseph encountered it (Genesis 41:8), Moses was educated in it (Acts 7:22). Yet divine wisdom infinitely surpasses human. When Assyria invaded, Egypt's help proved worthless (2 Kings 18:21). Later, both Judah and Egypt fell to Babylon. God's word came to pass; Egyptian counsel failed. James 1:5 contrasts worldly wisdom with wisdom from God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we sometimes act as if God's wisdom is inferior to human expertise or worldly counsel?
  2. What does it mean that God 'will not call back his words'—His promises and warnings are certain?
  3. How should knowing that God judges both evildoers and their helpers affect our alliances and partnerships?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְגַם1 of 17
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

ה֤וּא2 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

חָכָם֙3 of 17

Yet he also is wise

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

וַיָּ֣בֵא4 of 17

and will bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

רָ֔ע5 of 17

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְאֶת6 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דְּבָרָ֖יו7 of 17

his words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

לֹ֣א8 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הֵסִ֑יר9 of 17

and will not call back

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

וְקָם֙10 of 17

but will arise

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עַל11 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בֵּ֣ית12 of 17

against the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מְרֵעִ֔ים13 of 17

of the evildoers

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

וְעַל14 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֶזְרַ֖ת15 of 17

and against the help

H5833

aid

פֹּ֥עֲלֵי16 of 17

of them that work

H6466

to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise

אָֽוֶן׃17 of 17

iniquity

H205

strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 31:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 31:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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