Isaiah 19:23-25

23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together.
24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing[a] on the earth.
25 The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.”

Isaiah 19:23-25 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. S ver 16,24; Isaiah 20:6
  • 2. S Isaiah 11:16
  • 3. Micah 7:12
  • 4. S Genesis 27:29; Isaiah 2:3; Isaiah 27:13; Isaiah 66:23
  • 5. S ver 23
  • 6. S Isaiah 11:11
  • 7. S Genesis 12:2
  • 8. S Genesis 12:3; Ephesians 2:11-14
  • 9. Psalms 87:4; S Psalms 100:3
  • 10. Isaiah 29:23; Isaiah 43:7; Isaiah 45:11; Isaiah 60:21; Isaiah 64:8; Ephesians 2:10
  • 11. S Exodus 34:9; Jeremiah 30:22; Hosea 2:23

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "Assyria, whose names will be used in blessings" (see Gen. 48:20); or "Assyria, who will be seen by others as blessed"
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