Isaiah 31:5

Jehovah's protection of Jerusalem is expressed by a very different figure that of birds hovering over their nests. The word for birdsdenotes especially small, sparrow-like, birds; and its use here might seem less appropriate than in Psalms 11:1 as a synonym for timidity. It is, however, frequently used of birds in general (e.g. Psalms 8:8).

passing over The verb is that from which the word Pesaḥ(Passover) is derived; it occurs again only in Exodus 12:13; Exodus 12:23; Exodus 12:27. For preserveread rescue.

6 contains the only summons to repentance in this whole series of discourses. It must not be understood as implying that the deliverance of Jerusalem is conditional upon a national repentance. The verse is connected with Isaiah 31:7; and the thought is that the approaching deliverance will be a decisive manifestation of the sole deity of Jehovah, which will put idolatry to shame; and therefore the prophet calls on his hearers to realise the magnitude of their sin in having forsaken the one true God.

have deeply revolted cf. Isaiah 1:5. In spite of the change from second to third person (cf. Isaiah 1:29; Isaiah 5:8), the words children of Israelshould probably be translated as a vocative.