Isaiah 19:19-25

19 In that day there will be an 1altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a 2pillar to the LORD near its border.
20 It will become a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because * of oppressors, and He will send them a 3Savior and a 4Champion, and He will deliver them.
21 Thus the LORD will make Himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day. They will even worship with 5sacrifice and offering, and will make a vow to the LORD and perform it.
22 The LORD will strike Egypt, striking but 6healing; so they will 7return to the LORD, and He will respond to them and will heal them.
23 In that day there will be a 8highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria, and the Egyptians will 9worship with the Assyrians.
24 In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth,
25 whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, "Blessed is 10Egypt My people, and Assyria 11the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance."

Isaiah 19:19-25 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 11

  • 1. Isaiah 56:7; Isaiah 60:7
  • 2. Genesis 28:18; Exodus 24:4; Josh 22:10, 26, 27
  • 3. Isaiah 43:3, 11; Isaiah 45:15, 21; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 60:16; Isaiah 63:8
  • 4. Isaiah 49:25
  • 5. Isaiah 56:7; Isaiah 60:7; Zechariah 14:16-18
  • 6. Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 30:26; Isaiah 57:18; Hebrews 12:11
  • 7. Isaiah 27:13; Isaiah 45:14; Hosea 14:1
  • 8. Isaiah 11:16; Isaiah 35:8; Isaiah 49:11; Isaiah 62:10
  • 9. Isaiah 27:13
  • 10. Isaiah 45:14
  • 11. Psalms 100:3; Isaiah 29:23; Isaiah 45:11; Isaiah 60:21; Isaiah 64:8; Ephesians 2:10

Footnotes 1

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.