Isaiah 19 17

Isaiah 19:17 kjv

And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it.

Isaiah 19:17 nkjv

And the land of Judah will be a terror to Egypt; everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts which He has determined against it.

Isaiah 19:17 niv

And the land of Judah will bring terror to the Egyptians; everyone to whom Judah is mentioned will be terrified, because of what the LORD Almighty is planning against them.

Isaiah 19:17 esv

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.

Isaiah 19:17 nlt

Just to speak the name of Israel will terrorize them, for the LORD of Heaven's Armies has laid out his plans against them.

Isaiah 19 verses

Isaiah 19 17 meaning

Isaiah 19:17 declares that the land of Judah will become a source of terror and dread for Egypt. This fear arises not from Judah's military might but from its intrinsic connection to the sovereign plan and judgment of the "Lord of hosts." The very mention of Judah will evoke trepidation among Egyptians because they will recognize it as an agent or symbol of God's unwavering purpose, which He has determined to execute against Egypt. This signifies a profound reversal of typical power dynamics, where a historically powerful nation fears a seemingly weaker one due to divine intervention.

Isaiah 19 17 Context

Isaiah 19:17 is embedded within the "Oracle concerning Egypt" (Isaiah 19:1-25), a complex prophecy describing God's judgment and eventual restoration of Egypt. The opening verses (1-15) depict a severe divine judgment upon Egypt, leading to internal strife, economic collapse, and the failure of its idols and wise men. This sets the stage for Egypt's deep humiliation and powerlessness. Verse 17 itself serves as a pivot point. Before prophesying a future where Egypt will turn to the Lord and be blessed alongside Assyria and Israel (19:18-25), Isaiah emphasizes the immediate psychological impact of God's hand on Egypt. In this historical period, Egypt was a major regional power that Judah frequently looked to for alliance against threats like Assyria, often in defiance of God's command. The prophecy therefore reverses typical geopolitical expectations, making Egypt fear the very entity, Judah, that it might otherwise seek to exploit or simply ignore.

Isaiah 19 17 Word analysis

• And the land of Judah (וְהָיְתָ֤ה אֶרֶץ־יְהוּדָה֙, wəhāytâ 'eretz Yəhûḏâ):

  • וְהָיְתָ֤ה (wəhāytâ): "And it will be." Connects this verse directly to the preceding judgments on Egypt, indicating a consequential state.
  • אֶרֶץ ('eretz): "Land," territory. Refers to the physical geographical region of Judah.
  • יְהוּדָה֙ (Yəhûḏâ): "Judah." Not merely the people or the army, but the entire land representing God's presence, covenant, and the dwelling place of His chosen nation. Its significance here is as the locus of divine action.

• shall be a terror (לְחַרְדָּ֑ה, l’ḥardâ):

  • לְחַרְדָּ֑ה (l’ḥardâ): "As a terror," "for a trembling." The noun חרדה (ḥaradâ) signifies intense dread, fear, or trembling, often caused by a divine or overwhelming threat. This is a profound, visceral fear, not merely apprehension. Its association with Judah means Judah causes this deep-seated fear in Egypt.

• to Egypt (לְמִצְרַיִם, l'Miṣrayim):

  • לְמִצְרַיִם (l'Miṣrayim): "To Egypt." The recipient of this terror. The historically dominant, ancient civilization now facing this reversal of fear.

• everyone who makes mention of it (כֹּל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַזְכִּ֥יר אֹתָהּ֙, kol ’ăšer yazkîr ’ōtâ):

  • כֹּל (kol): "Everyone," "all." Emphasizes the universality of the fear among Egyptians.
  • אֲשֶׁר יַזְכִּיר (’ăšer yazkîr): "Who causes to remember/mentions." This suggests that even the mere remembrance or speaking of Judah's name will evoke fear. It highlights a psychological, pervasive dread, not just physical confrontation.
  • אֹתָהּ֙ (’ōtâ): "It" (referring to Judah).

• will be afraid (יֶחְרָ֔ד, yeḥrāḏ):

  • יֶחְרָ֔ד (yeḥrāḏ): "He will be afraid," "will tremble." A verbal form from the same root as חרדה, reiterating the physical and emotional response of shaking and fear.

• because of the purpose (מִפְּנֵ֗י עֲצַ֤ת, mip’nê ‘ăṣaṯ):

  • מִפְּנֵי (mip’nê): "Because of," "on account of," "from the face of." Indicates the source or reason for the fear.
  • עֲצַ֤ת (‘ăṣaṯ): "Purpose," "counsel," "plan," "decree." From the root יעץ (ya'ats), to counsel or advise. Here it specifically refers to God's predetermined, unalterable plan. It is a deliberate, divine decision.

• of the Lord of hosts (יְהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת, Yəhwâ Ṣəḇā’ôt):

  • יְהוָ֥ה (Yəhwâ): "YHWH," the personal, covenantal name of God.
  • צְבָא֖וֹת (Ṣəḇā’ôt): "Hosts," "armies." This divine title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all spiritual and earthly armies, forces, and celestial bodies. It reinforces the irresistible nature of His purpose.

• which He purposes against it (אֲשֶׁר־ה֥וּא יוֹעֵ֖ץ עָלֶֽיהָ, ’ăšer-hû yô‘ēṣ ‘ālêhā):

  • אֲשֶׁר (’ăšer): "Which," "that."
  • ה֥וּא (hû): "He." Refers back to the "Lord of hosts."
  • יוֹעֵ֖ץ (yô‘ēṣ): "Purposes," "plans," "counsels." The verb form of עֲצָה (ăṣâ), reiterating God's active and deliberate planning.
  • עָלֶֽיהָ (‘ālêhā): "Against it" (referring to Egypt). This makes it explicit that God's purpose is specifically directed towards Egypt's judgment and transformation.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "the land of Judah shall be a terror to Egypt": This phrase dramatically reverses the typical geopolitical relationship. Judah, often seen as weak or needing Egyptian protection, becomes an object of dread. The terror is derived not from Judah's might, but from what Judah represents – the God of Israel.
  • "everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid, because of the purpose of the Lord of hosts": This clearly attributes the terror directly to divine activity. It's a deep-seated, psychological fear arising from the knowledge that God's plan is at work. The "Lord of hosts" guarantees the fulfillment of this terrifying purpose.
  • "which He purposes against it": The divine plan is specific and intentional, targeted at Egypt. This underscores God's active involvement in the affairs of nations and His sovereign will.

Isaiah 19 17 Bonus section

This verse carries strong polemical implications against the deities and the perceived self-sufficiency of Egypt. The Egyptian gods, worshipped for power and prosperity, are revealed as powerless before the Lord of hosts. The "purpose" ('atzah) of Yahweh contrasts sharply with any plans or "wisdom" of Egypt that Isaiah condemns earlier in the chapter. This divine purpose is irresistible and sovereign, encompassing both judgment and, ultimately, restoration. The terror described isn't simply fear but a recognition of a superior, terrifying divine will at work, leading potentially to a necessary humbling for future spiritual transformation as depicted in subsequent verses of Isaiah 19. It exemplifies the prophetic pattern of humbling nations to make them receptive to God's future redemptive plan.

Isaiah 19 17 Commentary

Isaiah 19:17 reveals a profound truth about divine sovereignty: God can orchestrate events to make the mighty fear the meek, not by earthly power, but by His explicit, unalterable will. Egypt, a symbol of worldly strength and a nation frequently sought by Judah as a problematic ally against Assyria, is depicted as becoming terrified of Judah. This terror is entirely rooted in God's predetermined "purpose" and the power of His name, "Lord of hosts," rather than Judah's political or military strength. The mere mention of Judah will elicit fear in Egypt because Judah, though weak, is where the God who executes this sovereign plan resides. This highlights the futility of relying on worldly powers and serves as a powerful polemic against Egypt's gods and perceived self-sufficiency. The fear instilled in Egypt by Judah is a precursor to a spiritual awakening where Egypt will eventually know the Lord (Isa 19:18-25).