Log inSign up

Isaiah 31 · a question people ask

What is the sword that is "not of man"?

In the text

The chapter doesn't say. It says only whose sword it is not: "The Assyrian will fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of mankind, shall devour him" (31:8). It says what follows: "He will flee from the sword, and his young men will become subject to forced labor" (31:8), and "his princes will be afraid of the banner" (31:9). And it ends with who is speaking: "says the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem" (31:9) (tap furnace). Not of mankind uses the word of 31:3, where the Egyptians "are men, and not God" (31:3). These notes don't say what the sword was or when it came, and set no other verse beside 31:8 to answer it.

The verses

““The Assyrian will fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of mankind, shall devour him. He will flee from the sword, and his young men will become subject to forced labor. His rock will pass away by reason of terror, and his princes will be afraid of the banner,” says the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 31:8-9 · World English Bible
“Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, both he who helps shall stumble, and he who is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together.”
Isaiah 31:3 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Isaiah 31

Isaiah 31: Men, and not God

When the LORD promises to protect Jerusalem, the verse says, "He will pass over and preserve it" (31:5), with the verb of "I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13), which the Hebrew Bible has in that sense only in Exodus 12 and here. And the chapter calls the help people trusted, plainly, "men, and not God" (31:3).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekIsaiah 31 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Isaiah 31

All questions about Isaiah →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions