Isaiah 19 2

Isaiah 19:2 kjv

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

Isaiah 19:2 nkjv

"I will set Egyptians against Egyptians; Everyone will fight against his brother, And everyone against his neighbor, City against city, kingdom against kingdom.

Isaiah 19:2 niv

"I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian? brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.

Isaiah 19:2 esv

And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, each against another and each against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom;

Isaiah 19:2 nlt

"I will make Egyptian fight against Egyptian ?
brother against brother,
neighbor against neighbor,
city against city,
province against province.

Isaiah 19 verses

Isaiah 19 2 Meaning

This verse describes a violent and chaotic attack on Egypt by a cruel oppressor. The Egyptian people will be struck with fear and distress, their ruling strength will falter, and their land will be filled with destruction.

Isaiah 19 2 Context

Isaiah chapter 19 prophesies judgment against Egypt for its pride and its role in world affairs. The chapter describes Egypt's political instability, internal conflict, and foreign domination. Verse 2 specifically depicts the onset of this judgment, emphasizing the fear and confusion that will overcome the nation. Historically, Egypt experienced various periods of foreign rule, such as by Assyria and Babylon, which would have resonated with Isaiah's original audience. The chapter's broader theme is God's sovereign control over nations and His justice against those who oppose Him or trust in worldly power.

Isaiah 19 2 Word Analysis

• וְהִ֨פַּלְתִּ֤י (ve-hiphalti): "And I will cause to fall" or "I will bring down." From the root נָפַל (naphal), meaning "to fall." The intensive (hiphil) form indicates a causative action – God is the direct agent causing this fall.
• אֶת־מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ (et-Mitzrayim): "Egypt." The direct object of the action.
• עַל־יַ֣ד (al-yad): "Upon the hand of" or "by the hand of." Indicates agency or instrumental cause.
• אָחִ֗ים (achim): "Brothers." In this context, it refers to Egyptians in relation to each other, highlighting internal conflict or division, or perhaps brothers in humanity receiving divine judgment.
• וְאָחִ֤י (ve-achi): "And brother." Emphasizes the familial or national connection being disrupted by the judgment.
• יִרְדֹּ֘ף (yirdof): "Shall chase" or "shall pursue." From the root רָדַף (radaf), meaning to pursue relentlessly.
• וְאָחִ֥י (ve-achi): "And brother." Reinforces the theme of civil strife.
• מַמְלָכָה֙ (mamlakah): "Kingdom." Referring to the ruling authority or government of Egypt.
• תִּרְדֹּ֖ף (tirdof): "Shall pursue." Same root as earlier, continuing the idea of a relentless chase and disruption of governance.
• וְשָׁבְרָה֙ (ve-shavrah): "And it shall break" or "and shall be broken." From the root שָׁבַר (shavar), meaning to break, shatter, or break down. This applies to the kingdom or the people's spirit.
• מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ (Mitzrayim): "Egypt." The land or people being broken.
• בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ (be-kirbah): "In its midst" or "within it." Indicating the internal nature of the collapse and distress.
• וְשָׁקְטָ֤ה (ve-shaqtetah): "And it shall be quiet" or "and shall cease." From the root שָׁקַט (shaqat), meaning to be quiet, cease, or rest. Here it implies a cessation of their strength or a breaking of their will due to terror.
• תְּהִלָּתָ֖הּ (tehillatah): "Its praise" or "its boasting" or "its glory." The source of Egypt's pride and confidence.
• וְשָׁבְרָה֙ (ve-shavrah): "And it shall break" or "and shall be broken." Repeating the word for emphasis on destruction.
• כֻּלָּ֣הּ (kullah): "All of it." Denoting completeness of the downfall and loss of pride.
• וּדְחִילָה֙ (u-dchilah): "And fear" or "and terror." From the root דּוּל (dul) or related roots, signifying extreme dread or trembling.
• אֶת־כָּל־צְבָאָ֖הּ (et-kol-tzava'ah): "All its strength" or "all its host." Referring to Egypt's military power, organized forces, or entire people.
• וְדַחֲתִ֥י (ve-dachati): "And I will drive out" or "and I will push down." From the root דּוּחַ (duach), meaning to thrust away, drive out, or push over.
• אֶת־מִצְרַ֖יִם (et-Mitzrayim): "Egypt."
• בְּיוֹם־לֵ֣ב (be-yom-lev): "In the day of heart" or "on the heart-day." This phrase is unusual; common interpretations suggest it signifies the core of a person, or possibly a day of inward fear or distress affecting their heart. Some see it related to strong fear.
• חָ֑לָשׁ (chalash): "Weak." From the root חָלַשׁ (chalash), meaning to grow weak, to be faint.

Groups of words analysis:The repetition of "אָחִים" (brothers) and the verb "רָדַף" (chase/pursue) emphasizes the theme of internal strife and civil war as a key component of Egypt's judgment. The combination of "וְשָׁבְרָה" (and it shall break) applied to both the kingdom and its תְּהִלָּתָ (glory/boasting), coupled with the word for overwhelming terror "וּדְחִילָה" (and fear), paints a picture of complete national breakdown. The phrase "בְּיוֹם־לֵב חָ֑לָשׁ" (on the heart-day weak) graphically portrays the psychological and spiritual collapse under immense pressure, where even the core of their being becomes weak.

Isaiah 19 2 Bonus Section

The imagery of "brother fighting brother" (ach pursuing ach) serves as a potent metaphor for disunity and self-destruction within a nation. This theme resonates throughout scripture, often as a prelude to or component of divine judgment (e.g., Judges 7:22; 2 Chron. 20:23). The term "תְּהִלָּה" (praise/glory) can also encompass what a nation relies upon for its confidence and security. When this is broken, it signifies a complete loss of hope and self-sufficiency, leaving them exposed and terrified, ultimately demonstrating God's sovereignty over all nations and their ultimate security. The concept of "בְּיוֹם־לֵב חָ֑לָשׁ" suggests a day when the deepest parts of a nation's resilience fail.

Isaiah 19 2 Commentary

This verse starkly portrays the imminent downfall of Egypt, orchestrated by divine hand. It's not merely an external conquest, but a process that tears the nation apart from within. The emphasis on "brother" pursuing "brother" highlights a terrifying breakdown of social and familial bonds, leading to civil strife. Egypt's strength and pride ("its praise") are systematically shattered. The ultimate effect is pervasive terror and weakness affecting the very heart of the nation and its people. This signifies a comprehensive judgment that incapacitates their capacity for resistance and leaves them utterly broken and vulnerable, a profound consequence of their former arrogance and involvement in geopolitical power plays.