Isaiah 19 21

Isaiah 19:21 kjv

And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.

Isaiah 19:21 nkjv

Then the LORD will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the LORD and perform it.

Isaiah 19:21 niv

So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them.

Isaiah 19:21 esv

And the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them.

Isaiah 19:21 nlt

The LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians. Yes, they will know the LORD and will give their sacrifices and offerings to him. They will make a vow to the LORD and will keep it.

Isaiah 19 verses

Isaiah 19 21 meaning

The verse prophesies a future time when the LORD will supernaturally reveal Himself to the nation of Egypt, leading to the Egyptians personally recognizing and intimately knowing the one true God. As a result, they will fully convert to His worship, engaging in prescribed religious practices such as offering sacrifices and grain offerings, and making solemn vows to the LORD, diligently fulfilling their commitments. This signifies a profound spiritual transformation for Egypt, a nation historically marked by polytheism and hostility towards God's people.

Isaiah 19 21 Context

Isaiah chapter 19 is often referred to as "The Burden of Egypt," part of a larger section (chapters 13-23) containing prophecies against various nations. The initial verses (1-15) vividly portray divine judgment descending upon Egypt: its idols are shaken, its people plagued by civil strife, its wisdom turned foolish, and its economic life crippled. This serves as a strong polemic against Egypt's gods and its reliance on its own power and human wisdom rather than the LORD. Historically, Egypt was a regional superpower that frequently interacted with Israel, sometimes as an oppressor and sometimes as a tempting but unreliable ally. The prophecy addresses Egypt's historical pride, idolatry, and self-sufficiency, often contrasting them with the sovereignty of YHWH.

However, the latter half of the chapter (verses 16-25) dramatically shifts to a message of future transformation, reconciliation, and blessing for Egypt. Verse 21 is central to this turnaround, foretelling Egypt's complete spiritual conversion to YHWH. The surrounding verses depict Egypt fearing the LORD (v.17), five of its cities speaking Hebrew and swearing allegiance to the LORD (v.18), an altar and pillar dedicated to the LORD in Egypt (v.19-20), a highway between Egypt and Assyria, and ultimately, Egypt, Assyria, and Israel forming a blessed alliance, all serving the LORD (v.23-25). This radical prophecy moves from divine judgment to divine grace, depicting an unimaginable future where former enemies become worshippers of the one true God and part of His global people.

Isaiah 19 21 Word analysis

• And the LORD (וְנוֹדַע יְהוָה - vᵉnôdaʿ YHWH):

  • וְנוֹדַע (vᵉnôdaʿ): "And He will be known" or "He will make Himself known." This is the Niph'al perfect form of the Hebrew verb yādaʿ (ידע), which means "to know." The Niph'al stem often indicates a passive or reflexive action. Here, it suggests that God will actively reveal or make Himself manifest. It's not a mere passive happening, but a divinely initiated revelation.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, the sacred, personal covenant name of God in Israel. Its use here signifies that it is the specific God of Israel who will be revealing Himself, emphasizing His unique identity and covenant relationship, even with a nation previously outside that covenant. This is a profound polemic against Egypt's multitude of gods.

• will make himself known to Egypt (לְמִצְרַיִם - lᵉmitsrayim):

  • לְמִצְרַיִם (lᵉmitsrayim): "To Egypt." This prepositions "to" emphasizes the direct target of God's self-revelation. Egypt was often a symbol of human strength, idolatry, and oppression in the Old Testament, making its conversion a powerful statement of God's universal sovereignty and redemptive purpose.

• and the Egyptians will know the LORD (וְיָדְעוּ מִצְרַיִם אֶת-יְהוָה - vᵉyādᵉʿû miṣrayim ʾeṯ-YHWH):

  • וְיָדְעוּ (vᵉyādᵉʿû): "And they will know." This is the Qal imperfect form of yādaʿ (ידע). Unlike the passive Niph'al ("make himself known"), this is an active verb, indicating the Egyptians' reciprocal and personal experiential knowledge of YHWH. Biblical "knowing" (yādaʿ) often implies deep relationship, acknowledgment, and commitment, not merely intellectual assent. This repetition of the root yādaʿ stresses the completeness and profundity of this knowledge.
  • מִצְרַיִם (miṣrayim): "Egyptians." Refers to the people, the inhabitants of the land.
  • אֶת-יְהוָה (ʾeṯ-YHWH): Direct object marker + YHWH. "The LORD Himself."

• in that day (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא - bayyôm hahûʾ):

  • בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא (bayyôm hahûʾ): "In that day." A common prophetic phrase in Isaiah and other prophets, serving as an eschatological marker. It points to a significant, often future, period of divine intervention and fulfillment, frequently associated with the Messianic age or the establishment of God's universal kingdom. It underscores the momentous and unique nature of this transformation.

• and they will worship with sacrifice and offering (וְעָבְדוּ זֶבַח וּמִנְחָה - vᵉʿāvdû zevaḥ ûminḥâ):

  • וְעָבְדוּ (vᵉʿāvdû): "And they will serve" or "they will worship." From the root ʿāvad (עבד), meaning "to serve," "to work," or "to worship." It denotes active, devoted service.
  • זֶבַח (zevaḥ): "Sacrifice." Refers specifically to animal sacrifices, particularly peace offerings or thank offerings, often involving blood atonement or communion with God.
  • וּמִנְחָה (ûminḥâ): "And offering." Refers to a grain or meal offering, often made of flour or baked goods, accompanying blood sacrifices or as a distinct act of dedication and thanksgiving. The mention of these specific ritual forms of worship, formerly central to Israel's covenant with God, is profoundly significant. It implies Egypt's full adoption of the Mosaic system of worship to YHWH, marking their complete integration into His people, at least in practice, contrasting sharply with their historical pagan rites.

• and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them (וְנָדְרוּ נֶדֶר לַיהוָה וְשִׁלֵּמוּ - vᵉnādᵉrû neder laYHWH vᵉshillêmû):

  • וְנָדְרוּ נֶדֶר (vᵉnādᵉrû neder): "And they will vow a vow." From the root nādar (נדר) "to make a vow," neder being the noun "a vow." A vow is a solemn promise made to God, often contingent on receiving a blessing or in response to divine grace, demonstrating deep personal commitment and devotion beyond prescribed ritual.
  • לַיהוָה (laYHWH): "To the LORD." Again, specifying YHWH as the exclusive recipient of these vows, distinct from any false deity.
  • וְשִׁלֵּמוּ (vᵉshillêmû): "And they will perform them." From shālam (שלם), meaning "to be complete," "to be at peace," or here, "to pay" or "fulfill." This emphasizes the integrity and sincerity of their commitment—their vows will not be empty but diligently carried out. This highlights the authentic, profound nature of their conversion.

Isaiah 19 21 Bonus section

This prophecy about Egypt's transformation serves multiple theological purposes:

• Universalism of God's Plan: It powerfully refutes any notion that God's salvation is exclusively for Israel, extending His redemptive reach to a nation traditionally seen as Israel's enemy and a symbol of worldly idolatry. It illustrates God's ultimate desire to gather a people for Himself from all nations.
• Polemics against Idolatry: The vision of Egyptians abandoning their numerous gods (Ra, Osiris, Isis, etc.) to worship YHWH alone, using Israel's cultic forms, represents a complete triumph of YHWH over all rival deities. Their very vows and sacrifices signify the definitive rejection of their pagan past.
• Anticipation of the Church Age: Many theologians see this prophecy as finding its ultimate, albeit non-literal, fulfillment in the Christian era, where believers from all backgrounds—including those from nations spiritually akin to ancient Egypt—come to know and worship the Lord Jesus Christ. The sacrifices and offerings, now, are understood spiritually as acts of praise, living service, and financial giving (Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15-16).
• Peacemaking and Reconciliation: The broader context of Isaiah 19:23-25 describes a future where Egypt and Assyria, historically formidable foes, join with Israel as a "blessing on the earth," facilitated by their shared worship of YHWH. This highlights the reconciling power of God's presence among nations, where previous enmities give way to divine harmony.

Isaiah 19 21 Commentary

Isaiah 19:21 stands as a remarkable prophetic declaration, shifting from an expectation of judgment upon Egypt to a vision of their radical spiritual transformation and inclusion within the worship of YHWH. The verse hinges on the dual emphasis of God's self-revelation ("the LORD will make himself known") and Egypt's subsequent, profound reception of that revelation ("the Egyptians will know the LORD"). This "knowing" goes beyond mere intellectual understanding; it implies a relational, experiential knowledge of the one true God that leads to wholehearted devotion. The phrase "in that day" places this event within a future eschatological context, suggesting a time when God's universal redemptive plan will be visibly advanced.

The core of their transformed life is expressed through active worship, mirroring the practices historically reserved for Israel. The Egyptians will engage in "sacrifice and offering," which represents formal, covenantal worship, and will "make vows to the LORD and perform them," indicating personal, voluntary commitment and integrity in their faith. This move from the superficial or forced recognition of God's power (as seen in Exodus) to a willing, sacrificial, and vow-bound worship highlights a complete change of heart and identity. This prophecy transcends Israel's traditional boundaries, showcasing God's desire for all nations to turn to Him, ultimately foreshadowing the New Testament era when access to God, through Christ, becomes available to people from every tribe, tongue, and nation, fulfilling His promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."