What does Isaiah 31:6 mean?
ESV: Turn to him from whom people have deeply revolted, O children of Israel.
NIV: Return, you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against.
NASB: Return to Him against whom you have been profoundly obstinate, you sons of Israel.
CSB: Return to the one the Israelites have greatly rebelled against.
NLT: Though you are such wicked rebels, my people, come and return to the Lord.
KJV: Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
NKJV: Return to Him against whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Isaiah 31:1–7 briefly recounts the subjects of the previous chapter. Misery is predicted for those who rely on animals and weapons instead of seeking God. God will cause both Judah and the Egyptians to fall together. After that, though, the Lord will come down to protect Jerusalem. Like a brave lion or a protective bird, He will rescue Jerusalem from disaster.
Chapter Summary:
Isaiah declares "woe" on those in Judah who don't consult the Lord for help against the Assyrians. Instead, they turn to Egypt. They trust in earthly military resources instead of their own God. The Lord will bring disaster on both His sinful people Judah and their helpers the Egyptians. Both will fall. Then the Lord will come down to protect Jerusalem like a lion easily fending off multiple shepherds. Isaiah calls for the people to turn back to the Lord and prophecies that they will cast away their false idols. The Assyrians will be devoured and their king terrified and killed.
Chapter Context:
Isaiah 30 offers a shorter, poetic retelling of the previous chapter. This begins with a declaration of woe on the people of Judah. They rely on the horses and chariots of Egypt to save them from the Assyrians instead of consulting with the Lord. God will cause His sinful people Judah and their merely mortal helpers the Egyptians to fall together. Then He will protect Jerusalem from the Assyrians as a mother bird protects her nest. The following chapter continues to prophesy, looking ahead to Messiah's reign over the earth.
Book Summary:
Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).
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