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.

ISAIAH 31:3KJV
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Isaiah 31:3 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 31:3 mean?

Isaiah 31:3 warns that trusting in Egypt for help is futile because the Egyptians are only human and their horses are just flesh, not spirit; when God acts, both those who seek help and those who give it will fall together. The verse stresses that human strength cannot compare to God’s power, and relying on people instead of God leads to failure.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, who were tempted to seek military help from Egypt against their enemies. Isaiah points out the difference between God (who is spirit and all-powerful) and Egypt (who are just men and horses of flesh). The verse highlights the coming judgment: when the LORD stretches out His hand, both the helper (Egypt) and the one helped (Judah) will collapse together, showing the emptiness of trusting in human alliances.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 31:3

  • "Egyptians" (מִצְרִי, mitsri): This word refers specifically to the people of Egypt, emphasizing their identity as a foreign nation that Judah is tempted to trust.
  • "Flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar) and "spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach): The contrast between "flesh" (physical, mortal) and "spirit" (often understood as life, power, or God’s presence) highlights the difference between human limitations and God’s limitless power.
  • "Helpeth" and "holpen" (עָזַר, azar): The same Hebrew root is used for both the helper and the one being helped, underlining that both are equally powerless when God intervenes.
  • "Fail" (כָּלָה, kalah): This word can mean to be finished, consumed, or come to an end, stressing the total collapse of both parties when they rely on human strength instead of God.

Why Isaiah 31:3 matters

  • Isaiah 31:3 clarifies that no matter how strong an ally may seem, human power is always limited compared to God’s strength.
  • The verse warns against the common mistake of putting trust in visible, worldly solutions instead of seeking God’s help first.
  • This verse connects to the wider message of Isaiah, where the prophet repeatedly urges Judah to rely on God rather than political alliances, showing a key theme of faith versus self-reliance.

Where else these words appear

“fall” Hebrew H3782 · used in 59 verses

  • Leviticus 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
  • Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
  • Jeremiah 50:32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.

“helpeth” Hebrew H5826 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
  • 2 Chronicles 19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
  • Psalms 86:17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

“horses” Hebrew H5483 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
  • 2 Kings 14:20 And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.
  • Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

“together” Hebrew H3162 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
  • Job 24:4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
  • Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.