Isaiah 31:5 kjv
As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.
Isaiah 31:5 nkjv
Like birds flying about, So will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; Passing over, He will preserve it."
Isaiah 31:5 niv
Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will 'pass over' it and will rescue it."
Isaiah 31:5 esv
Like birds hovering, so the LORD of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it; he will spare and rescue it."
Isaiah 31:5 nlt
The LORD of Heaven's Armies will hover over Jerusalem
and protect it like a bird protecting its nest.
He will defend and save the city;
he will pass over it and rescue it."
Isaiah 31 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 8:10 | Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. | God's presence against enemies |
| Ps 34:7 | The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. | Angelic protection |
| Ps 91:4 | He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. | God's protective covering |
| Jer 1:17-19 | Be not dismayed at their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. | God's promise of deliverance |
| Zech 9:8 | And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by and returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes. | God guarding His house |
| Matt 23:37 | O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! | Jesus' lament for Jerusalem |
| John 10:28-29 | And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. | Eternal security of believers |
| Rom 8:31 | What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? | God's support |
| 1 Cor 1:27 | But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; | God's power in weakness |
| 2 Cor 12:9 | And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. | God's strength in weakness |
| Phil 4:7 | And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. | Peace guarding the heart |
| Heb 1:14 | Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? | Ministering spirits |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: | Spiritual warfare |
| Rev 19:11 | And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon it was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. | Christ's victorious return |
| Isa 29:5-8 | But the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munitions, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision... as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold he eateth; but it is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold he drinketh; but it is an empty vessel: so shall the multitude of all the nations that fight against mount Zion be. | Divine judgment on enemies |
| Jer 15:20 | And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD. | God as a protective wall |
| Ps 46:1-3 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. | God as refuge |
| Ps 50:15 | And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. | Prayer and deliverance |
| Deut 33:27 | The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall put out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. | God's eternal refuge |
| Josh 23:3 | And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God he it is that fighteth for you. | God fights for His people |
Isaiah 31 verses
Isaiah 31 5 Meaning
As birds hovering, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; passing over he will preserve it.
Isaiah 31 5 Context
Chapter 31 of Isaiah focuses on condemning the Israelites' misplaced trust in military alliances, particularly with Egypt (symbolized by horses and chariots), rather than in the LORD. They were relying on human strength and foreign powers for deliverance from the Assyrians. This verse stands as a powerful reassurance from God to His people, particularly Jerusalem. It assures them that despite their weaknesses and the formidable threats they face, God Himself will be their ultimate defender, intervening with swift and complete protection, much like birds of prey hovering protectively over their young. The surrounding verses highlight the folly of Egypt's pride and futility, contrasting it with God's supreme power.
Isaiah 31 5 Word Analysis
- כַּצִּפֳּרִים (katzipporim): "As birds". The Hebrew word comes from "tsipor" meaning bird. This simile evokes imagery of vigilant, protective, and swooping guardians. Birds of prey, like eagles or hawks, are known for their keen sight and their swift, decisive action when defending their territory or young. This is a very different image than the reliance on earthly cavalry.
- עָפוֹת (afot): "hovering" or "flying". The feminine plural participle form of the verb "uf" (to fly). It implies a continuous, vigilant, and protective presence. It's not a distant observer, but an actively involved guardian.
- כֵּן (ken): "so" or "thus". A particle of comparison, linking the simile to the action of God.
- יְהוָה (YHWH): "the LORD". The personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His active, saving relationship with His people. This is God speaking about Himself.
- צְבָאוֹת (Tzavaot): "of hosts". Meaning "of armies" or "of [heavenly] armies". This title highlights God's supreme, cosmic authority and power, possessing infinite resources for protection.
- יָגֵן (yagen): "defend" or "protect". A strong verb indicating active guarding and sheltering from harm.
- עַל־ (al-): "upon" or "over". Indicating the specific object of God's protection.
- יְרוּשָׁלִָם (Yerushalayim): "Jerusalem". The capital city of Judah, symbolizing God's chosen people and His dwelling place.
- גַּם־ (gam-): "also" or "even". Emphasizing the comprehensiveness of God's actions.
- הִצִּיל (hitzil): "deliver" or "rescue". This verb implies a forceful extraction from danger.
- פְּדוֹ (pedo): The third person masculine singular perfect form of the verb "padah", meaning "to redeem" or "to ransom". In this context, it strongly signifies delivering from peril. This is not just preservation, but a costly rescue.
- הִצִּיל (hitzil): "preserve" or "save". Again, this verb means to save, rescue, or preserve. The repetition underscores the certainty and completeness of God's protective action.
- עָבַר (avar): "passing over" or "going over". This could refer to a swift movement, like a predator passing over its prey or a storm passing over, leaving behind deliverance. Some translations render this as "will save as he passes over."
Groups of Words:
- "As birds hovering, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem": This encapsulates the primary metaphor of God's vigilant, swift, and protective action, directly contrasting with the Egyptian military might they were tempted to rely on.
- "defending also he will deliver it; passing over he will preserve it": This triad of actions ("defend," "deliver," "preserve") shows the multi-faceted and complete nature of God's salvation, from active defense to ultimate preservation through any approaching danger.
Isaiah 31 5 Bonus Section
The choice of "hovering" (עָפוֹת - afot) is significant. It can suggest both swiftness in attack against enemies and protective vigilance over the city. The ancient Near Eastern world was acutely aware of the territorial nature and predatory efficiency of birds of prey, making this imagery immediately understandable and impactful. It also subtly contrasts with the destructive, overrunning armies of human nations. The triple cord of divine action ("defend," "deliver," "preserve") conveys a complete spectrum of saving activity—initial protection, forceful extraction from immediate danger, and final, lasting security. This verse can be seen as a prefigurement of Christ’s protective care for His church, especially as alluded to in Jesus' lament over Jerusalem (Matt 23:37), where He desired to gather His people "as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings."
Isaiah 31 5 Commentary
This verse vividly assures Jerusalem of God's imminent and active protection. The image of birds of prey hovering is powerful, suggesting swiftness, keen eyesight, and a fierce instinct to defend their young from any threat. It highlights that God's defense is not passive or distant but engaged and decisive. The LORD of hosts is not merely a regional deity but the commander of all heavenly armies, possessing unlimited power to shield His people. The repetition of salvific verbs ("defend," "deliver," "preserve") emphasizes the completeness of His saving work, promising total security against all dangers, even as threats "pass over." It's a profound statement of divine sovereignty and faithfulness in the face of human vulnerability and worldly threats, contrasting God's sure defense with the fragile reliance on foreign alliances like Egypt.