Isaiah 31:1

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!

Cross-reference

Isaiah 36:9 Parallel

In Isaiah 36:9, the Assyrian commander mocks Judah's trust in Egypt's chariots—same theme of Egypt's inadequacy.

Isaiah 36:6 Parallel

In Isaiah 36:6, Egypt is called a splintered reed that pierces—the same warning against trusting in Egypt's fragile support.

In Isaiah 30:16, the people boast in swift horses but are told their pursuers will be swifter—same futility of trusting in horses.

In Isaiah 30:1-7, the same condemnation of alliance with Egypt is expanded—they carry out plans not from God, seeking refuge in vain.

Isaiah 22:11 directly parallels the failure to look to the One who made it, using the same 'did not look' language about human works.

Isaiah 17:7 Contrast

Isaiah 17:7 presents the contrasting future when people will look to their Maker, opposite of the current neglect in 31:1.

Isaiah 30:7 Parallel

In Isaiah 30:7, Egypt's help is called 'Rahab the Do-Nothing', directly reinforcing the futility of trusting Egypt.

Isaiah 30:5 Parallel

Isaiah 30:2 also condemns going down to Egypt for help without consulting God—nearly identical theme and wording.

Isaiah 30:2 Parallel

Isaiah 30:2 also condemns going down to Egypt for help without consulting God—nearly identical theme and wording.

Isaiah 26:3 Contrast

Isaiah 26:3 promises peace to those who trust in God—the opposite of the woe against trusting in Egypt. A clear contrast.

Isaiah 20:6 Parallel

Isaiah 20:6 shows the shame of those who relied on Egypt—exactly the outcome predicted in this woe against trusting Egypt.

Isaiah 2:7 Parallel

Isaiah 2:7 describes Israel's reliance on horses and chariots as a sign of pride—the same misplaced trust condemned in this woe.

Isaiah 10:3 Parallel

Isaiah 10:3 asks where people will flee for help in disaster—echoing the same question of relying on Egypt versus God. Thematic link.

Jeremiah 17:5 explicitly curses those who trust in man and turn from the Lord, a direct parallel to the woe in 31:1.

Psalm 33:17 Parallel

Psalm 33:17 echoes the same truth: a horse is a vain hope for deliverance, reinforcing the futility of trusting in military strength.

In Psalm 33:16-17, it is declared that a horse is a vain hope for deliverance—reinforces Isaiah's warning against military reliance.

Psalm 20:7 Parallel

In Psalm 20:7, the same contrast is made: trust in chariots vs. the Lord—a clear thematic parallel.

2 Chronicles 16:7 provides a historical precedent: relying on a foreign king instead of God leads to defeat, mirroring 31:1.

In Ezekiel 17:15, Zedekiah's rebellion by seeking Egypt's horses and army is condemned—same reliance on Egypt rather than God.

In Deuteronomy 17:16, the law forbids kings from acquiring many horses from Egypt—direct foundation for Isaiah's warning.

In Hosea 7:13-16, a parallel 'woe' on those who stray from God and do not cry out to Him — relying on foreign powers.

Hosea 14:3 Parallel

Hosea 14:3 contrasts with a confession of repentance: 'we will not mount warhorses,' rejecting the very trust condemned in 31:1.

Ezekiel 29:16 says Israel will no longer be confident in Egypt, recalling their sin of turning to Egypt for help.

In Deuteronomy 20:1, God commands not to fear horses and chariots because He is with you — the trust Isaiah condemns is misplaced.

In Jeremiah 37:7, Pharaoh's army turns back, illustrating Egypt's unreliability as a military ally.

In Jeremiah 42:14, the remnant plans to flee to Egypt for safety, directly continuing the theme of misplaced trust in Egypt.

Jeremiah 42:19 directly warns the remnant not to go to Egypt, reinforcing the same prohibition against trusting Egypt for help.

Hosea 7:11 Parallel

Hosea 7:11 directly says Ephraim calls to Egypt and Assyria, matching the censure of relying on foreign nations.

Jeremiah 46:25 declares punishment on those who trust in Pharaoh, echoing the condemnation of reliance on Egypt.

Ezekiel 29:6 calls Egypt a staff of reed for those who rely on it, directly critiquing the trust condemned in the main verse.

Ezekiel 17:9 in the allegory warns that seeking Egypt's help leads to ruin, similar to the woe against trusting in Egypt.

Lamentations 4:17 describes watching in vain for a nation that cannot save, likely Egypt, reflecting the same misplaced trust.

In Jeremiah 2:36, Israel will be disappointed by Egypt just as by Assyria, directly matching the woe against trusting Egypt.

In Jeremiah 2:18, the rhetorical question 'Why go to Egypt to drink from the Nile?' echoes the same folly of seeking Egypt's aid.

In Proverbs 21:31, the same principle: human battle preparations are futile without the Lord's victory—reinforcing the folly of trusting horses over God.

In Psalm 147:11, the Lord delights in those who hope in his love — the proper alternative to trusting in horses and chariots.

Psalm 118:9 Parallel

In Psalm 118:9, trusting princes is contrasted with refuge in the Lord — the same principle as Isaiah's warning against trusting in Egypt.

2 Chronicles 16:3 Historical context

In 2 Chronicles 16:3, King Asa relied on a foreign alliance instead of the Lord — a parallel example of the misplaced trust Isaiah warns against.

In 2 Kings 18:24, Rabshakeh explicitly questions relying on Egypt for chariots and horsemen — the exact issue Isaiah addresses.

In 2 Kings 18:21, Rabshakeh uses the same 'broken reed' metaphor for Egypt that Isaiah employs against trusting in her.

2 Kings 17:4 Historical context

In 2 Kings 17:4, King Hoshea sought Egypt's help against Assyria — a direct historical example of the sin Isaiah condemns.

1 Kings 10:28 Historical context

1 Kings 10:28 records Solomon importing horses from Egypt — the very practice Isaiah condemns as misplaced trust.

Joshua 11:6 Parallel

In Joshua 11:6, God orders hamstringing horses and burning chariots — a concrete rejection of military reliance.

In Jeremiah 2:16, Egypt humiliates Israel (shaves head), showing that trusting Egypt leads to harm, not help.

Lamentations 5:6 confesses submitting to Egypt for bread, showing the shame of relying on foreign powers for sustenance.

Zephaniah 3:2 describes a city that does not trust or draw near to God — matching the same sin of relying on Egypt instead of the Lord.

Hosea 2:7 Parallel

Hosea 2:7 metaphorically depicts Israel pursuing lovers (foreign powers) instead of God, a broader parallel to trusting Egypt.