Isaiah 19:16-25

Egypt, Assyria, Israel Blessed

16 In that day the Egyptians will be 1like women, and 2tremble with fear before the hand that the LORD of hosts shakes over them.
17 And the land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians. Everyone to whom it is mentioned will fear because of the purpose that the LORD of hosts has purposed against them.
18 3In that day there will be 4five cities in the land of Egypt that 5speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD of hosts. One of these will be called the City of Destruction.[a]
19 In that day there will be an 6altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a 7pillar to the LORD at its border.
20 8It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, 9he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them.
21 10And the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day 11and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them.
22 12And the LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the LORD, and he will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them.
23 13In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, 14and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.
24 In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, 15a blessing in the midst of the earth,
25 whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, "Blessed be Egypt 16my people, and Assyria 17the work of my hands, and 18Israel my inheritance."

Isaiah 19:16-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 19

This chapter contains prophecies of various calamities that should come upon Egypt in a short time, and of the conversion of many of them to Christ in Gospel times. The calamities are many; the Lord's coming unto them, which their gods cannot prevent, nor stand before, nor save them, and at which the hearts of the Egyptians are dispirited, Isa 19:1 civil wars among themselves, Isa 19:2 want of counsel, which sends them to idols and wizards, but in vain, Isa 19:3 subjection to a cruel lord, Isa 19:4 drying up of their rivers and waters, so that the paper reeds wither, and fishes die; and hence no business for fishermen, nor for workers in flax, or weavers of nets, Isa 19:5-10,15 the stupidity of their princes and wise counsellors, given up by the Lord to a perverse spirit, so that they concerted wrong measures, and deceived the people, Isa 19:11-14 a general consternation among them, because of the hand and counsel of the Lord; and because of the Lord's people, the Jews, who were a terror to them, Isa 19:16,17 and then follows the prophecy of their conversion in later times, which is signified by their speaking the language of Canaan, and swearing to the Lord, Isa 19:18 by their erecting an altar, and a pillar to the Lord, which should be a sign and witness to him; and by their crying to him, and his sending them a Saviour, and a great one, Isa 19:19,20 by his being known unto them, by their offering sacrifice to him, and by his smiting and healing them Isa 19:21,22 and the chapter is concluded with a prophecy of that harmony, and agreement, and fellowship, that shall be between Jew and Gentile, between Egypt, Assyria, and Israel; and that the blessing of God should be upon them all, Isa 19:23-25.

Cross References 18

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Dead Sea Scroll and some other manuscripts City of the Sun
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.