Isaiah 31:8

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.

“Then Assyria will fall, but not by the sword of man; a sword will devour them, but not one made by mortals. They will flee before the sword, and their young men will be put to forced labor.

⁹ Their rock will pass away for fear, and their princes will panic at the sight of the battle standard,” declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

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: “Then Assyria will fall, but not by the sword of man; a sword will devour them, but not one made by mortals. They will flee before the sword, and their young men will be put to forced labor.
KJV: Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
WEB: “The Assyrian will fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of mankind, shall devour him. He will flee from the sword, and his young men will become subject to forced labor.
ASV: And the Assyrian shall fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of men, shall devour him; and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall become subject to taskwork.
DARBY: And Asshur shall fall by the sword, not of a great man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall become tributary;
BLB: And Assyria Will fall by a sword not of man, and a sword not of man will devour him; and he will flee from from the face of the sword, and his young men will be for forced labor.

ÅB: Og Assur skal falle for et sverd som ikke er en manns, og et sverd som ikke er et menneskes, skal fortære ham, og han skal rømme for sverdet, og hans unge menn skal bli slaver.
OTB: Assyria vil falle for et sverd som ikke er ført av et menneske; et sverd ikke av dødelige vil fortære dem. De vil flykte fra sverdet, og deres unge menn vil bli tvangsarbeidere.
B1930: Og Assur skal falle for et sverd som ikke er en manns, og et sverd som ikke er et menneskes, skal fortære ham, og han skal rømme for sverdet, og hans unge menn skal bli træler.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 14:25
I will break Assyria in My land; I will trample him on My mountain. His yoke will be taken off My people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.”
Read in context
Genesis 49:15
He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant.
Read in context
Isaiah 37:7
Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’”
Read in context
Isaiah 10:16–19
Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame.
Read in context
2 Kings 19:34–37
‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”
Read in context
Isaiah 29:5
But your many foes will be like fine dust, the multitude of the ruthless like blowing chaff. Then suddenly, in an instant,
Read in context
Isaiah 30:27–33
Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire.
Read in context
Hosea 1:7
Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will save them—not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry, but by the LORD their God.”
Read in context