Isaiah 31:5

³ But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.

⁴ For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey— and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor— so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.

Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.”

⁶ Return to the One against whom you have so blatantly rebelled, O children of Israel.

⁷ For on that day, every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold that your own hands have sinfully made.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.”
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.
WEB: As birds hovering, so the LORD of Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and preserve it.”
ASV: As birds hovering, so will Jehovah of hosts protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver [it], he will pass over and preserve [it].
DARBY: As birds with outstretched wings, so will Jehovah of hosts cover Jerusalem; covering, he will also deliver, passing over, he will rescue [it].
BLB: Like birds flying about, so YHWH of hosts will give cover over Jerusalem, covering and delivering it, passing over and preserving it.”

ÅB: Som fuglene breder ut sine vinger, slik skal Herren, hærskarenes Gud, verne Jerusalem, verne og frelse, gå forbi[^1] og redde.
OTB: Som fugler som svever, vil Herren, Allhærs Gud, beskytte Jerusalem; Han vil skjerme og befri den, Han vil gå forbi og redde den.
B1930: Som fuglene breder ut sine vinger, således skal Herren, hærskarenes Gud, verne Jerusalem, verne og frelse, gå forbi og redde. / < som i Egypten; 2MO 12, 13. 23.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Psalms 91:4
He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.
Read in context
Psalms 37:40
The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.
Read in context
Isaiah 38:6
And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.
Read in context
Isaiah 37:35
‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”
Read in context
Exodus 19:4
‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.
Read in context
Deuteronomy 32:11
As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, He spread His wings to catch them and carried them on His pinions.
Read in context
Psalms 46:5
God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.
Read in context
Exodus 12:27
you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.
Read in context