Isaiah 19 20

Isaiah 19:20 kjv

And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.

Isaiah 19:20 nkjv

And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.

Isaiah 19:20 niv

It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them.

Isaiah 19:20 esv

It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them.

Isaiah 19:20 nlt

It will be a sign and a witness that the LORD of Heaven's Armies is worshiped in the land of Egypt. When the people cry to the LORD for help against those who oppress them, he will send them a savior who will rescue them.

Isaiah 19 verses

Isaiah 19 20 meaning

Isaiah 19:20 describes a future state for Egypt where an altar and pillar dedicated to the Lord, mentioned in the preceding verse, will serve as a significant 'sign and witness'. This symbol of devotion signifies a coming change, prompted by the Egyptian people's suffering under oppression. When they cry out to the Lord in their distress, He will respond with compassion and divine intervention, sending them a 'savior' and a 'defender' to bring about their deliverance. This verse highlights God's universal mercy and active involvement in the lives of all nations, even those historically opposed to Israel, foreseeing a future where Egypt recognizes and turns to the true God, receiving His help and salvation.

Isaiah 19 20 Context

Isaiah chapter 19 delivers a weighty prophetic oracle concerning Egypt. Historically a powerful nation, often allied with or an adversary to Israel, Egypt is here presented under divine judgment, marked by internal strife, economic collapse, and despair (Isa 19:1-15). This judgment is severe, intended to humble Egypt and expose the futility of its idols and false wisdom. However, the tone shifts dramatically towards the end of the chapter (Isa 19:16-25), portraying a future time when Egypt, through affliction, will turn to the Lord. Our verse, 19:20, fits within this context of future hope and redemptive purpose. It foresees a radical spiritual transformation in Egypt where they will embrace monotheism and actively seek God's intervention, resulting in their deliverance and ultimately, a blessed relationship with Israel and Assyria (Isa 19:23-25). This marks a theological expansion of God's covenant blessings to include historically hostile Gentile nations.

Isaiah 19 20 Word analysis

• It will be for a sign (וְהָיָה לְאוֹת, ve-hāyāh lə’ōwt):

  • ve-hāyāh (and it will be/come to pass): Connects the event to the preceding verse's altar and pillar. Denotes certainty and future fulfillment.
  • lə’ōwt (for a sign): Hebrew ’ōwt means a mark, token, ensign, wonder, miracle, or portent. Here, it refers to a visible, tangible symbol (the altar/pillar) pointing to a divine reality or future event. It signifies a divine indicator.

• and for a witness (וּלְעֵד, u-lə‘ēḏ):

  • u-lə‘ēḏ (and for a witness): Hebrew ‘ēḏ refers to a witness, testimony, or evidence. It's an attestation of truth, confirming the reality of God's presence and activity in Egypt. It underscores the public and verifiable nature of the sign.

• to the LORD of hosts (לַיהוָה צְבָאוֹת, laYahweh Tzva'ot):

  • laYahweh (to the LORD): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, revealed character and authority.
  • Tzva'ot (of hosts/armies): This divine title emphasizes God's sovereignty over all heavenly and earthly armies, power, and universal dominion, reinforcing the certainty and might of His future intervention in Egypt.

• in the land of Egypt (בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם, bə'ereṣ Miṣrayim):

  • Specifically names the geographical and political entity, highlighting the surprising and significant inclusion of this traditional adversary within God's redemptive plan.

• for they will cry (כִּי יִצְעֲקוּ, kī yiṣ‘aqū):

  • kī (for/because): Explains the reason or motivation for God's response.
  • yiṣ‘aqū (they will cry/shout): From the root ṣā‘aq, meaning to cry out in distress, anguish, or for help. It denotes a fervent, urgent, and public plea arising from desperation.

• to the LORD (אֶל-יְהוָה, ’el-Yahweh):

  • Direct object of their cry. Indicates a shift from their traditional deities to the God of Israel.

• because of the oppressors (מִפְּנֵי לֹחֲצִים, mippənê lōḥaṣīm):

  • mippənê (because of/from the face of): Indicates the cause of their suffering.
  • lōḥaṣīm (oppressors/pressers): From the root lāḥaṣ, meaning to press, oppress, crush. These are agents of distress, whether internal or external, political or even spiritual.

• and he will send them a savior (וְשָׁלַח לָהֶם מוֹשִׁיעַ, ve-shālach lahem mōšîa‘):

  • ve-shālach (and he will send): Indicates God's initiative and direct action.
  • lahem (to them): The object of God's compassionate action—the Egyptians.
  • mōšîa‘ (savior/deliverer): From the root yāša‘, to save, deliver, help. It denotes one who brings liberation from peril or oppression, emphasizing God as the ultimate source, possibly working through a human agent.

• and a defender, and he will deliver them. (וְרָב וְהוֹשִׁיעַם, ve-rav ve-hoshi‘am):

  • ve-rav (and a defender/great one/contender): Hebrew rav can mean "great," "much," or a "master/chief." In this context, often understood as "defender," "champion," or "mighty one" (as the Septuagint renders it "judge" - κριτής), acting on their behalf against oppressors. It implies power and authoritative action. Some scholars see this as an intensification of "savior" or an additional facet of the deliverer's role, as one who contends in court or battles.
  • ve-hoshi‘am (and he will deliver them): Repetition of the root yāša‘ (to save) as a verb. This emphasizes the certainty and completeness of the deliverance God will accomplish for them.

Words-group analysis

• "It will be a sign and a witness": This pairing indicates that the altar and pillar are both a prophetic marker for a future event and a testament to God's presence and action, making His covenant accessible to Egypt. The dual description emphasizes its unmistakable nature.
• "to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt": This phrase boldly declares the Lord's universal authority and establishes His presence even in lands historically foreign to His direct worship, transcending geographical and political boundaries.
• "For they will cry to the LORD because of oppressors": This group highlights the mechanism of salvation—human suffering leading to desperate prayer to the true God, which then elicits divine response. It shifts the focus from idol worship to authentic spiritual seeking.
• "and he will send them a savior and a defender": This signifies God's active, compassionate intervention. The pairing of 'savior' (moshi'a) and 'defender' (rav) illustrates the comprehensive nature of God's help: rescue from harm and protection/advocacy against adversaries. It suggests a strong, capable agent or divine intervention itself.

Isaiah 19 20 Bonus section

The "savior and a defender" phrase in Isaiah 19:20 carries layers of theological richness. While it primarily refers to a divine deliverance that brings safety and protection from oppression, its wording has encouraged various interpretations over time.

1. Human Agent: Historically, some scholars interpret the 'savior' (moshi'a) as a powerful human leader or deliverer that God would raise up in Egypt, similar to how He raised up judges for Israel (Judg 3:9). This could refer to an individual king or even a succession of leaders.
2. Divine Agent: Others understand moshi'a as God Himself acting directly, or even through His Spirit, emphasizing that ultimate salvation always originates from God (Isa 43:3, 11). The subsequent phrase "he will deliver them" reinforces the divine agency.
3. Messianic Anticipation: In a broader Christian theological context, this verse is seen as prophetically foreshadowing the ultimate Savior, Jesus Christ. His arrival fulfills the ultimate need for salvation, and His redemptive work encompasses all nations, including former enemies (Col 3:11, Eph 2:14-16). Jesus functions as both the "Savior" (Lk 2:11) and the "Advocate" or "Defender" (1 Jn 2:1) for humanity.
4. A Powerful Figure: The term 'defender' (רָב, rav) could also signify simply "a great one" or "a powerful leader," suggesting a figure of considerable authority and strength to effect change. This emphasizes the might and effectiveness of God's chosen agent for salvation.

This verse exemplifies the eschatological breadth of Isaiah's prophecies, which often extend to the inclusion and blessing of Gentiles in the kingdom of God, pointing towards a universal worship and acknowledgement of Yahweh's reign that transcends ancient ethnic and political divisions.

Isaiah 19 20 Commentary

Isaiah 19:20 stands as a remarkable testament to God's expansive redemptive plan, reaching beyond Israel to include former adversaries. The verse's foundational promise hinges on the 'sign and witness' established in Egypt, likely the altar and pillar of Isaiah 19:19. These are not merely symbolic gestures but concrete manifestations pointing to a profound spiritual shift. When Egypt experiences distress and turns from its traditional idolatry, crying out to the true God, the Lord responds with unexpected grace. This highlights a universal principle: God hears the earnest cries of the suffering, irrespective of their past, when they genuinely seek Him.

The dispatch of a 'savior and a defender' is God's direct answer. This figure could be a human agent empowered by God, such as a king or prophet, a messianic figure, or even God Himself acting in deliverance. The Hebrew terms (mōšîa‘ and rav) underscore both active deliverance from threat and strong advocacy/protection. This profound turning to the Lord, from a nation known for its resistance to the God of Israel, anticipates a future global recognition of God's sovereignty. It beautifully foreshadows a time when Gentile nations, too, would be brought into relationship with Him, revealing His universal love and power to transform hearts and circumstances. The passage, therefore, extends the hope of salvation and divine intervention beyond ethnic boundaries, affirming God as the Deliverer for all who call upon Him in truth.