Isaiah 31:5

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 he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

⁴ For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.

⁶ Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.

⁷ For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

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 shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Read in context
Psalms 37:40
And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Read in context
Isaiah 38:6
And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
Read in context
Isaiah 37:35
For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
Read in context
Exodus 19:4
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.
Read in context
Deuteronomy 32:11
As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
Read in context
Psalms 46:5
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Read in context
Exodus 12:27
That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
Read in context