Isaiah Chapter 19 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Isaiah 19:1
This is a prophecy about Egypt: Look! ADONAI is riding a swift cloud, on his way to Egypt. Before him Egypt's idols tremble, Egypt's courage melts within them.
Isaiah begins to tell the people of Judah about the coming judgment on the land of Egypt. He begins by letting us know that this is divine judgment as he speaks of the Lord riding on a cloud. We see that the basis for this judgment is their idolatry.
Isaiah 19:2
"I will incite Egypt against Egypt, brother will fight against brother, friend against friend, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
Here, the Lord was speaking of the fighting that happened between the northern and southern kingdoms of Egypt. The Libyan dynasty to the north clashed with the Cushites to the south. Once again, we see that it is God who was causing this to happen.
Isaiah 19:3
The courage of Egypt will ebb away within it, I will reduce its counsel to confusion. They will consult idols and mediums, ghosts and spirits.
The "plans" refers to the grand plan of both the northern and southern pharaohs to reunite the kingdom and restore its former honor and prestige among the nations. The problem was that each one wanted to be the ruler of this reunified kingdom. This speaks of the fact that their pride is the cause of their rejection of the one true God and is the basis for His pruning of them. As we see, their idolatry continues as they seek answers and power from their ancestors who were supposed to be gods.
Isaiah 19:4
I will hand over the Egyptians to a cruel master. A harsh king will rule them," says the Lord, ADONAI-Tzva'ot.
This prophecy was fulfilled when King Esarhaddon of Assyria conquered the land in the year 670 B.C. The Assyrians were known as the most cruel and merciless people of the day, but they were used by God as an instrument of judgment.
Isaiah 19:5–7
The water will ebb from the sea, the river will be drained dry. The rivers will become foul, the canals of Egypt's Nile will dwindle and dry up, the reeds and rushes will wither. The river-plants on the banks of the Nile and everything sown near the Nile will dry up, blow away and be no more.
Although God used the Assyrians, we see that only God could cause the river to dry up and bring famine upon the land. The Nile River had been a great river, and when it flooded, it created fertile farmland. Here, we see that this farmland became desolate and a people who were used to selling food to other lands could no longer provide for themselves.
Isaiah 19:8–10
Fishermen too will lament, all who cast hooks in the Nile will mourn, those who spread nets on the water lose heart. The linen-workers will be in despair, along with the weavers of white cotton; the spinners will be crushed, the hired workers dejected.
Now, we see the effects on the industry and economy of Egypt. Without water, the fish die and so fishermen suffer. Without water, crops and grass die and so the garment industry suffers. The idols could not control nature, and now God demonstrates that the work of men's hands is not sufficient either. The same type of thing is described concerning the fall of Babylon (see Revelation 18).
Isaiah 19:11–12
The princes of Tzo'an are utter fools, Pharaoh's wisest counselors give stupid advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, "I'm a sage, descended from kings of old." Where are they, then, those sages of yours? Let them tell you, so all can know what ADONAI-Tzva'ot has planned against Egypt!
Now, we see that the judgment demonstrates that the leaders of a nation are subject to God. Instead of leading the nation closer to God, they had trusted in their idols. The same type of thing is happening in most countries today and will continue in the final days. In Revelation, we see that the government becomes a worldwide system built on the efforts of men.
Isaiah 19:13
The princes of Tzo'an have been fooled, the princes of Nof have been duped, Egypt's clan chiefs have led her astray.
The leaders of Egypt had led the people into their gross idolatry, and so the judgment begins with them. This is true for the leaders of countries today as well.
Isaiah 19:14–15
ADONAI has mixed up their minds with a spirit that distorts judgment, so they make Egypt stagger in whatever she does, like a drunk staggering in his vomit. Nobody in Egypt will find work to do - neither head nor tail, neither [tall] palm frond nor [lowly] reed.
The Egyptians were famous for their knowledge of science, but we see that God replaces their wisdom with confusion. We also see that there is nothing they can do to stop it.
Isaiah 19:16
On that day Egypt will be like women trembling with fear, because ADONAI-Tzva'ot is shaking his fist at them.
This verse begins with the phrase "on that day," and it is repeated six times between here and the end of the chapter, and so we should take special note of its meaning. This phrase is a kingdom phrase, and it speaks of the last days and the establishment of the kingdom on the earth. Now, Isaiah describes a future judgment of the nation of Egypt as he describes this once mighty nation as "weaklings." We see that they learn to fear God, and we are reminded that fear is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).
Isaiah 19:17
Just mentioning the land of Y'hudah to the Egyptians will throw them into panic; they will be afraid because of what ADONAI-Tzva'ot has planned for them.
We know that this describes future events, as Egypt is not terrified by Israel today. What could make Egypt terrified? Today, the country is about 90% Muslim (they deny that Yeshua Messiah is the Son of God). They will be terrified when they learn the truth and see His power demonstrated in His keeping of His covenants.
Isaiah 19:18
On that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Kena'an and swear loyalty to ADONAI-Tzva'ot; one of them will be called the City of Destruction.
There will be five cities in Egypt that will be Christian cities, and the people will speak Hebrew. We are reminded that throughout the Bible, the number five is associated with incompleteness of the efforts of men and the need for grace. Here, it tells us that a small remnant of Egypt will receive the grace that comes through Yeshua Messiah, while the vast majority of Egypt will continue to reject the Messiah. These five cities will be threatened by the rest of the land of Egypt for their faith in Yeshua Messiah.
Isaiah 19:19–20
On that day there will be an altar to ADONAI in the middle of the land of Egypt, as well as a standing-stone for ADONAI at its border. It will be a sign and witness to ADONAI-Tzva'ot in the land of Egypt; so that when they cry out to ADONAI for help because of the oppressors, he will send them a savior to defend and rescue them.
In the heart of what is now an Islamic state, there will be an altar to the Lord and a marker on the border. That is truly amazing to think of when you look at Egypt today. They will take a stand for Yeshua Messiah, but, as we know, that will lead to persecution. When they cry out to the Lord because of this oppression, He will hear and send them help.
Isaiah 19:21–22
ADONAI will make himself known to Egypt; on that day, the Egyptians will know ADONAI. They will worship him with sacrifices and offerings, they will make vows to ADONAI and keep them. Yet ADONAI will strike Egypt, both striking and healing, so they will return to ADONAI. He will listen to their prayers, and he will heal them.
This passage speaks of the fact that the remnant of Egypt will remain faithful even in the face of this persecution, as they will still desire to worship the Lord. At this time, God will allow Egypt to strike the remnant, but He will also deliver them, and the remnant will grow as a result of witnessing the actions of God.
Isaiah 19:23
On that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Ashur. Ashur will come to Egypt and Egypt to Ashur, and Egypt will worship with Ashur.
Not only will a part of Egypt be followers of Yeshua Messiah, but also part of the modern country of Iraq will be redeemed, and both will worship the Lord. This is only possible through the coming of Yeshua Messiah. This verse speaks of the fulfillment of the covenant that God had made with Avram in Genesis 15:18, where God promised the expansion of the borders of Israel.
Isaiah 19:24–25
On that day Isra'el will be a third partner with Egypt and Ashur, a blessing here on earth; for ADONAI-Tzva'ot has blessed him: "Blessed be Egypt my people, Ashur the work of my hands and Isra'el my heritage."
In our world today it may seem unlikely, but, on the day of the Lord, Egyptians and Assyrians will join Israel in worship. We see that this will be a blessing to all of the earth, and we are reminded that Israel was chosen with a purpose, which is to be a light unto the nations.