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Isaiah 31 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations prefer to set apart extended quotations, prayers or songs. The ULB and many other English translations indent the lines of 31:1-5, 8-9, which are extended quotations.
This chapter continues the series of "woes" against specific nations. It presents judgments against the people of Ephraim and Judah when they desired to make an alliance with Egypt. It also prophesies the destruction of Assyria. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/woe, rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/judge and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet)
Special concepts in this chapter
Trust
The people were to trust in Yahweh. Only he could provide them with protection. They were punished for their lack of trust when they were in trouble, but Yahweh only required that they trust him. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/trust)
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
"That day"
This is a common phrase in this section of Isaiah. This chapter appears to prophesy about a time of restoration when the messiah will reign. It pictures a time of great peace and harmony in the world. The translator does not need to add an explanation, but should try to maintain the tense of the original text, as a future or uncompleted action. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/restore, rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/fulfill)
Israel
The use of the term "Israel" in this chapter is in reference to the northern kingdom of Israel exclusively.