Isaiah 19:1-4

A Prophecy Against Egypt

1 A prophecy against Egypt: See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt with fear.

2 “I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian— brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.

3 The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing; they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead, the mediums and the spiritists.

4 I will hand the Egyptians over to the power of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them,” declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.

Isaiah 19:1-4 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

• 1. Isaiah 13:1; Jeremiah 43:12
• 2. Isaiah 20:3; Joel 3:19
• 3. S Exodus 12:12; S Jeremiah 44:3
• 4. S Deuteronomy 10:14; S 2 Samuel 22:10; Psalms 18:10; Psalms 104:3; S Revelation 1:7
• 5. S Joshua 2:11
• 6. S Judges 7:22; S Judges 12:4; Matthew 10:21,36
• 7. S 2 Chronicles 15:6; 2 Chronicles 20:23; Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:10
• 8. Psalms 18:45
• 9. ver 11; S Job 5:12
• 10. 1 Chronicles 10:13
• 11. S Leviticus 19:31; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 47:13; Daniel 2:2,10; Daniel 3:8; Daniel 5:7
• 12. Isaiah 20:4; Jeremiah 46:26; Ezekiel 29:19; Ezekiel 32:11