Isaiah 19 4

Isaiah 19:4 kjv

And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 19:4 nkjv

And the Egyptians I will give Into the hand of a cruel master, And a fierce king will rule over them," Says the Lord, the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 19:4 niv

I will hand the Egyptians over to the power of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them," declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.

Isaiah 19:4 esv

and I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a hard master, and a fierce king will rule over them, declares the Lord GOD of hosts.

Isaiah 19:4 nlt

I will hand Egypt over
to a hard, cruel master.
A fierce king will rule them,"
says the Lord, the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Isaiah 19 verses

Isaiah 19 4 Meaning

This verse describes a profound divine intervention in Egypt. It signifies that God will rise up against Egypt, causing internal chaos and conflict. This upheaval will be so severe that brother will fight brother, and neighbor against neighbor. The result will be destruction and the downfall of Egypt.

Isaiah 19 4 Context

Isaiah chapter 19 prophesies the downfall and eventual restoration of Egypt. The preceding verses have spoken of Egypt's idols being shaken and God's hand upon the land. This specific verse details the immediate cause of destruction: internal strife and disunity brought about by divine judgment. Historically, Egypt was a significant power in the ancient Near East, often interacting with and sometimes dominating Israel. Prophecies against Egypt would have resonated with the original audience by offering assurance of God's power over a major rival and foretelling a future where such opposition would be dismantled. This internal collapse is a recurring theme in biblical judgments against nations that oppose God or His people.

Isaiah 19 4 Word Analysis

• וְהִפְקַדְתִּי (ve-hiphḳaḏti): "and I will give heed to" or "and I will muster" or "and I will lay charge upon." The root is פקד (paḳaḏ), meaning to visit, muster, entrust, punish, or favor. Here, it signifies a divine oversight that leads to severe judgment. It implies God actively bringing about the consequence.
• מִצְרַיִם (Mitzraim): Egypt. The ancient nation and people situated along the Nile River.
• עַל (ʿal): Upon, against. Indicates the direction of the divine action.
• חֵמָה (chemah): Fury, wrath, heat. Signifies intense anger and judgment being poured out.
• וּבְיַד (u-ve-yaḏ): And by the hand of. Implies the agency or instrument through which the judgment is executed.
• אָח (aḥ): Brother. Refers to fellow countrymen or those bound by a common identity.
• עַז (ʿaz): Strong, mighty. Denotes a formidable or powerful force or brother.
• וּשְׁכֵן (u-shekhen): And neighbor. Refers to one who lives nearby.
• נִשְׁעַן (nishʿan): Leaned upon, rested upon. Suggests reliance or dependence, which will be broken.
• וְהִפְקִדְתִּי (ve-hiphḳaḏti): And I will cause to happen or visit. Similar to the first use, emphasizing divine instigation.
• אֶחָד (eḥaḏ): One.
• אֶת (eth): A direct object marker.
• רֵעֵהוּ (reʿehu): His neighbor.
• וְאֶת (ve-eth): And.
• רֵעֵהוּ (reʿehu): His neighbor.

Words-group analysis:

• "וְהִפְקַדְתִּי אֶת מִצְרַיִם עַל חֵמָה": This phrase underscores a targeted, intensely punitive action by God against Egypt, using the concept of "visiting" to signify active divine intervention characterized by fierce wrath.
• "וּבְיַד אָח עַז": This points to a brother, or fellow Egyptian, acting as an agent of this judgment, signifying that the blow comes from within.
• "וּבְיַד שָׁכֵן נִשְׁעַנּוּ": This further emphasizes the internal nature of the judgment, as even those who lean upon or rely on their neighbor will be brought down.
• "וְהִפְקַדְתִּי אֶחָד אֶת רֵעֵהוּ וְאֶת רֵעֵהוּ": This is the climax of the description of internal chaos, detailing a perverted visitation where each neighbor is brought down by another, leading to widespread societal breakdown and conflict.

Isaiah 19 4 Bonus Section

The concept of a "spirit of confusion" or a divine "overthrowing" of a nation's stability is a recurring motif in prophetic literature. It underscores that national judgment often begins with moral and social disintegration before final physical destruction. The inability of Egypt, known for its wisdom and order, to sustain itself against internal division highlights the complete sovereignty of God even over supposedly impregnable powers. The intensity of the judgment can be understood in the context of Egypt's long history of arrogance and its interactions with God's covenant people. This verse, and indeed the whole chapter, also contains elements of future hope and restoration for Egypt, demonstrating God's ultimate purpose of reconciliation.

Isaiah 19 4 Commentary

Isaiah 19:4 depicts a nation collapsing under God's judgment through severe internal strife. The phrase "I will hand over Egypt to ruthless hands" captures the essence: God allows a powerful, internal force of chaos to overcome the nation. This is not a random occurrence but a deliberate act of divine discipline. The conflict described is so pervasive that it pits brother against brother, and neighbor against neighbor. This points to a breakdown of social order and the severing of relationships due to the intensity of the judgment. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to bring about judgment through the very elements within a society. The emphasis is on internal dissolution rather than external invasion as the primary means of downfall in this specific instance.