What does Isaiah 31:5 mean?
"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

Isaiah 31:5 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it."
This verse comes from the book of Isaiah, which is a major prophetic book in the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah lived in the 8th century BC and was a contemporary of several Judean kings. The book of Isaiah contains prophecies about the coming Messiah, the judgment of nations, and the restoration of Israel.
In Isaiah 31:5, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, reminding them of the steadfast protection and deliverance that the Lord provides for Jerusalem. The imagery of birds flying is used to convey the swift and decisive action of the Lord in defending his people. The Lord is likened to a flock of birds swooping down to protect their young from danger, showing the care and attentiveness of God towards his people.
The verse emphasizes the strength and power of the Lord of hosts, a title used in the Old Testament to denote God's authority over all the heavenly armies. It conveys the message that the defense of Jerusalem is not dependent on human strength or efforts, but on the divine intervention and protection of the Lord.
The theme of divine protection and deliverance is prominent in this verse. The people of Jerusalem are assured that the Lord will not only defend the city from its enemies but also deliver it from harm. This serves as a reminder for the people to trust in the sovereignty of God and rely on his unfailing protection in times of trouble.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. At the time of Isaiah, the nation of Judah was facing military threats from Assyria, a powerful empire that posed a significant danger to the kingdom. The people of Judah were tempted to seek alliances with foreign nations for protection instead of relying on God. Isaiah's message challenges this mindset and encourages the people to put their trust in the Lord alone for their security and deliverance.
The symbolism of birds flying in this verse also holds deeper meaning. Birds are often used symbolically in the Bible to represent freedom, protection, and care. In this context, the imagery of birds flying to defend Jerusalem illustrates the watchful and protective nature of God. It symbolizes the swift and effective action of the Lord in safeguarding his people from harm.
Isaiah 31:5 can be seen as a message of hope and reassurance for believers facing trials and challenges. It reminds them of God's faithfulness and his ability to protect and deliver his people. The verse serves as a call to trust in the Lord's provision and to rely on his divine intervention in times of trouble.
In conclusion, Isaiah 31:5 conveys a message of unwavering faith in the protective and delivering power of the Lord. It reassures believers of God's steadfast care for his people and calls them to rely on his sovereignty in times of difficulty. The imagery of birds flying symbolizes the swift and effective defense of Jerusalem by the Lord of hosts, emphasizing his watchful and protective nature. This verse serves as a timeless reminder of the trustworthiness of God's protection and deliverance for his people.
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Isaiah 31:5 - "As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it."
"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
Isaiah 10:31 - "Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee."
Isaiah 30:31 - "For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod."
Isaiah 37:5 - "So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah."
Isaiah 31:6 - "¶ Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted."
Isaiah 37:31 - "And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:"
Isaiah 39:5 - "Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:"
Isaiah 5:21
Isaiah 53:5
Isaiah 5:21
Isaiah 1:31 - "And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them."
Isaiah 6:1-5
Isaiah 6:1-5
John 5:31 - "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true."
Isaiah 6:1-5
Isaiah 6:1-5
Proverbs 31:5 - "Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted."
Isaiah 48:5
isaiah 5:14
Isaiah 48:5
Job 31:5 - "If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;"
Luke 5:31 - "And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick."
Isaiah 48:5
Isaiah 6:5
Isaiah 6:5
Isaiah 48:5
Exodus 31:5 - "And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship."
Daniel 5:31 - "And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old."
"Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee." - Isaiah 10:31