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 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 19:22 | And the LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing; so they will turn to the LORD... | Isaiah 19:22 (Prophetic Fulfillment) |
| Jeremiah 16:19 | O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come... | Jer 16:19 (Nations turning to God) |
| Zechariah 14:16 | Then everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King... | Zech 14:16 (Nations worshiping God) |
| Matthew 12:18 | "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased; I will put my Spirit upon him..." | Matt 12:18 (Servant filled with Spirit) |
| Acts 2:17-18 | "'And in the last days it is God who declares, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh... | Acts 2:17-18 (Spirit poured on all flesh) |
| Romans 15:9 | ...and also that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles..." | Rom 15:9 (Gentiles glorifying God) |
| Genesis 49:10 | The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the rule from between his feet, until Shiloh comes... | Gen 49:10 (Messianic Promise) |
| Psalm 22:27 | All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. | Ps 22:27 (All nations worshiping) |
| Isaiah 2:2-4 | It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the chief of the mountains... | Isa 2:2-4 (Nations seeking the Lord) |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses... | Acts 1:8 (Witnesses empowered by Spirit) |
| Revelation 11:15 | Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ..." | Rev 11:15 (Kingdom of Christ established) |
| John 4:21-24 | Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father..." | John 4:21-24 (Worship in Spirit and truth) |
| Malachi 1:11 | For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name... | Mal 1:11 (God's name great among nations) |
| Ephesians 3:18 | ...may have power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. | Eph 3:18 (Love of Christ) |
| Philippians 2:10 | so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the ground... | Phil 2:10 (Jesus is Lord) |
| 1 Corinthians 1:27 | But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong... | 1 Cor 1:27 (God's wisdom and strength) |
| Colossians 1:23 | ...if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard... | Col 1:23 (Grounded in the Gospel) |
| Revelation 5:13 | And I heard every created thing in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" | Rev 5:13 (Universal worship) |
| Romans 11:25 | Lest you be wise in your own conceit, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers, a hardening in part has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. | Rom 11:25 (Inclusion of Gentiles) |
| Isaiah 60:3 | And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. | Isa 60:3 (Nations coming to light) |
Isaiah 19 verses
Isaiah 19 17 Meaning
This verse describes a future time of profound transformation and blessing for Egypt, indicating that their fear will cease due to the Lord's mighty acts. This change will extend to acknowledging God as sovereign and influencing neighboring lands with spiritual understanding.
Isaiah 19 17 Context
Isaiah chapter 19 presents a series of judgments and prophecies concerning Egypt. It details a period of internal strife and divine wrath upon the land, followed by a promise of restoration and conversion. This particular verse falls within this overarching prophetic message of judgment and ultimate redemption for Egypt, seen not just as a historical nation but also as representative of nations that will ultimately turn to God. The immediate preceding verses speak of Egypt's downfall and scattering, setting the stage for this reversal and future blessing. The broader context of Isaiah's prophecy is the coming judgment of God upon all nations for their sins and their eventual, though sometimes delayed, turning to Him.
Isaiah 19 17 Word analysis
וְהָיְתָה (və·hā·yə·ṯâ) - "and it shall be" or "and it will become." This is the common conjunctive waw plus the imperfect verb Hiph'il form of היה (hayah), meaning "to be," "to become," or "to happen." It signifies a future event or state.
מִצְרַיִם (miṣ·rîm) - "Egypt." The proper noun for the nation.
לְרָתְת (lə·râ·ṯəṯ) - "a-trembling" or "causing to tremble." This is a preposition 'l (to, for) attached to the infinitive construct form of the root רתת (rathath), which means "to tremble," "to shake." It implies fear and terror.
בְּפָנִים (bə·p̄ā·nîm) - "in fear" or "with dread." The preposition bə (in, with) attached to the plural noun פָּנִים (panim), meaning "face" or "faces." Used idiomatically to mean "in the presence of" or to indicate a state of being.
מִפְּנֵי (mippənê) - "because of" or "from the face of." The preposition min (from) attached to the construct form of פְּנֵי (pnei), meaning "face" or "presence." It denotes the cause of the trembling.
חֶרֶב (ḥereḇ) - "sword." A feminine noun signifying a weapon of war, often representing divine judgment or military defeat.
יְהוָה (Yə·hō·wâ) - "the LORD." The covenant name of God.
אֱלֹהִים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) - "God." A plural noun used for God, indicating His sovereignty and power.
וְהָיָה (wə·hā·yâ) - "and it shall be." Repeats the earlier construction, introducing another consequence.
אֱלֹהִים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) - "God." Referring to God in His singular essence as ruler.
לְפוּשׁ (lə·p̄ûš) - "to be scattered," "to spread forth," or "to pervade." The infinitive construct of a verb possibly related to "moving about" or "spreading." Some scholars interpret this in context with the following phrase.
מַצְמִיד (maṣ·mîḏ) - "that causes to smite" or "striking." Potentially related to the verb צָמַד (tsamad), "to join," or more likely from another root entirely. The Masoretic text suggests a connection to God being a "striker" or a source of destruction, yet leading to healing, which links to the next part of the verse. However, this word is debated, and some emendations or alternative interpretations exist. It’s linked to the preceding word to form a cohesive idea.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "וְהָיְתָה מִצְרַיִם לְרָתֹת מפני חרב יהוה אלהים": "Egypt will tremble in the presence of the LORD God because of the sword." This phrase vividly portrays a moment of overwhelming divine power and judgment that will cause even the mighty nation of Egypt to experience intense fear. The use of "sword" symbolizes the instruments of God's judgment, which can be literal warfare or broader destructive forces.
- "וְהָיָה אֱלֹהִים לְפוּשׁ מַצְמִיד": This phrase is syntactically complex. A common interpretation sees "לְפוּשׁ מַצְמִיד" as "to strike repeatedly" or "to cause pervasive smiting," where God Himself becomes the active agent of judgment. The ambiguity might point to the dual nature of God's action: judgment leading to cleansing. Another view suggests God becoming "familiar" or "known" to them in this overwhelming power. The most common understanding links "לְפוּשׁ" to the spread of God's influence and "מַצְמִיד" to His active striking or governing, culminating in a fearful awe. The Lord would be present and actively "striking" (perhaps in a refining sense) or making His presence deeply felt among them.
Isaiah 19 17 Bonus section
The prophecy of Egypt’s eventual turning to the LORD is a profound testament to God's overarching plan of redemption that extends beyond His chosen people, Israel. This inclusive aspect is a recurring theme throughout scripture, showing God's desire for all nations to know Him. The specific timing and manner of this spiritual awakening in Egypt are interpreted differently by scholars, with some seeing it fulfilled progressively and others awaiting a future, eschatological realization. The cleansing and transformation described here echo the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, empowering believers to be witnesses and leading people from darkness to light, ultimately glorifying God. This points to a Messianic era where divine sovereignty is universally recognized and worshipped.
Isaiah 19 17 Commentary
This verse foretells a significant turning point for Egypt, where they will be overwhelmed with a profound fear of the LORD, not as a cause for their final destruction, but as the precursor to recognition and repentance. This trembling is not mere panic, but a reverent awe brought about by witnessing God's irresistible power and His judgment (represented by the sword). The phrase "God will cause to smite" or "God will make known" suggests a direct and forceful divine intervention that brings about deep realization. Ultimately, this encounter will lead Egypt, and by extension other nations, to acknowledge Yahweh's supreme authority. This experience sets the stage for their conversion and the spreading of God’s worship. The verse also implies that God’s action is not solely punitive; the context points towards a redemptive purpose.