SEARCH THE 1611 KJV (Advanced)
Viewing the original 1611 KJV with archaic English spelling.
Click to switch to the Standard KJV.
1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for helpe, and stay on horses, and trust in charets, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong: but they looke not vnto the Holy one of Israel, neither seeke the Lord.
2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring euill, and wil not call backe his words: but will arise against the house of the euill doers, and against the helpe of them that worke iniquitie.
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 hee that is holpen shall fall downe, and they all shall faile together.
4 For thus hath the Lord spoken vnto me; Like as the lyon and the yong lyon roaring on his pray, when a multitude of shepheards is called foorth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himselfe for the noyse of them: so shall the Lord of hostes come downe to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.
5 As birds flying, so wil the Lord of hostes defend Ierusalem, defending also hee will deliuer it, and passing ouer, he will preserue it.
6 ¶ Turne yee vnto him from whom the children of Israel haue deeply reuolted.
7 For in that day euery man shall cast away his idoles of siluer, and his idoles of gold, which your owne hands haue made vnto you for a sinne.
8 ¶ Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mightie man; and the sword, not of a meane man, shal deuoure him: but hee shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
9 And hee shall passe ouer to his strong holde for feare, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensigne, sayth the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his fornace in Ierusalem.
The sin and folly of seeking help from Egypt. (1-5) God's care for Jerusalem. (6-9)1-5 God will oppose the help sought from workers of iniquity. Sinners may be convicted of folly by plain and self-evident truths, which they cannot deny, but will not believe. There is no escaping the judgments of God; and evil pursues sinners. The Lord of hosts will come down to fight for Mount Zion. The Lion of the tribe of Judah will appear for the defence of his church. And as birds hovering over their young ones to protect them, with such compassion and affection will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. He will so defend it, as to secure its safety.
6-9 They have been backsliding children, yet children; let them return, and their backslidings shall be healed, though they have sunk deep into misery, and cannot easily recover. Many make an idol of their silver and gold, and by the love of that are drawn from God; but those who turn to God, will be ready to part with it. Then, when they have cast away their idols, shall the Assyrian fall by the sword of an angel, who strikes more strongly than a mighty man, yet more secretly than a mean man. God can make the stoutest heart to tremble. But if we keep up the fire of holy love and devotion in our hearts and houses, we may depend upon God to protect us and them.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.