Read & explore together
A Blessing upon the Earth
Isaiah 19:16–25 moves from fear and judgement to healing, worship, and blessing. Repeating “In that day”, the prophecy shows Yahweh acting in Egypt, then placing Egypt, Assyria, and Israel together within his blessing.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage is one continuous prophetic message marked by the repeated phrase “In that day”. It begins with Egypt trembling under Yahweh’s hand and fearing because of his plans. It then speaks of signs of allegiance to Yahweh in Egypt, of deliverance and healing, and finally of joined worship and blessing involving Egypt, Assyria, and Israel.
Isaiah 19:16–25Main takeaway
This prophecy teaches that Yahweh’s purposes include judgement, healing, worship, and blessing among the nations named here.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Egypt fears Yahweh’s handThe passage begins with Egypt trembling and fearing because Yahweh of Armies shakes his hand over them.
Explanation
The passage begins with Egypt trembling and fearing because Yahweh of Armies shakes his hand over them. Judah becomes a terror to Egypt because of Yahweh’s determined plans. The emphasis is not on human strength, but on Yahweh’s power and purpose over what is happening.
02Signs of Yahweh in EgyptThe prophecy then describes visible changes inside Egypt. Five cities speak the language of Canaan and swear to Yahweh of Armies.
Explanation
The prophecy then describes visible changes inside Egypt. Five cities speak the language of Canaan and swear to Yahweh of Armies. There is also an altar in the middle of the land and a pillar at its border. The text presents these as public signs connected with Yahweh in Egypt.
03Cry, deliverance, and worshipThe altar and pillar are called a sign and witness, and the people cry to Yahweh because of oppressors.
Explanation
The altar and pillar are called a sign and witness, and the people cry to Yahweh because of oppressors. He sends a saviour and defender and delivers them. Yahweh becomes known to Egypt, and the Egyptians know Yahweh through worship, offerings, vows, and carrying out those vows.
04Striking, healing, and shared blessingYahweh will strike Egypt, yet the striking is joined with healing. Egypt returns to Yahweh, he hears them, and he heals them.
Explanation
Yahweh will strike Egypt, yet the striking is joined with healing. Egypt returns to Yahweh, he hears them, and he heals them. Then Egypt and Assyria are linked by a highway and worship together. Israel is named with them, and Yahweh blesses all three with distinct words.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does the passage move from fear to blessing?
Follow the order from trembling and terror, to signs and witness, to crying out and deliverance, to healing and blessing.
02What details show that Yahweh is publicly acknowledged in Egypt?
Look for the cities, the altar, the pillar, and the worship practices named in the passage.
03What does Yahweh say over Egypt, Assyria, and Israel at the end?
Read the final blessing carefully and notice the different words spoken about each nation.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 19:16–25
16In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble and fear because of the shaking of Yahweh of Armies’s hand, which he shakes over them.
17The land of Judah will become a terror to Egypt. Everyone to whom mention is made of it will be afraid, because of the plans of Yahweh of Armies, which he determines against it.
18In that day, there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan, and swear to Yahweh of Armies. One will be called “The city of destruction.”
19In that day, there will be an altar to Yahweh in the middle of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to Yahweh at its border.
20It will be for a sign and for a witness to Yahweh of Armies in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to Yahweh because of oppressors, and he will send them a savior and a defender, and he will deliver them.
21Yahweh will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know Yahweh in that day. Yes, they will worship with sacrifice and offering, and will vow a vow to Yahweh, and will perform it.
22Yahweh will strike Egypt, striking and healing. They will return to Yahweh, and he will be entreated by them, and will heal them.
23In that day there will be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria; and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.
24In that day, Israel will be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing within the earth;
25because Yahweh of Armies has blessed them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.”