Read & explore together
The Burden against Egypt
Isaiah 19:1–15 is a prophecy against Egypt. The passage shows Yahweh shaking Egypt’s idols, wisdom, water supply, work and rulers. It teaches that Egypt’s strength cannot stand when Yahweh acts against it.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage opens with “The burden of Egypt” and then describes what Yahweh will do. The text moves from fear and civil conflict, to failed guidance and false spiritual help, to drying waters and broken work, and finally to foolish leaders who cannot grasp Yahweh’s purpose.
Isaiah 19:1–15Main takeaway
Isaiah 19:1–15 teaches that when Yahweh purposes judgement against Egypt, idols, human advice and national resources cannot rescue it.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Yahweh comes and Egypt tremblesThe prophecy begins with Yahweh coming to Egypt on a swift cloud. This picture shows his power and authority, not a human journey.
Explanation
The prophecy begins with Yahweh coming to Egypt on a swift cloud. This picture shows his power and authority, not a human journey. Egypt’s idols tremble, and the people’s hearts melt. The passage presents Yahweh as greater than Egypt’s idols and able to bring fear on the nation.
02Conflict, fear and failed counselYahweh says Egyptians will fight one another, with division spreading from neighbour to neighbour and from city to city.
Explanation
Yahweh says Egyptians will fight one another, with division spreading from neighbour to neighbour and from city to city. Their spirit will fail, and their counsel will be destroyed. They will seek idols, charmers, familiar spirits and wizards, but the text does not say these will save them. A cruel lord and fierce king will rule them.
03The Nile dries and workers mournThe prophecy then describes failing waters. The river, streams, reeds, meadows and sown fields dry up.
Explanation
The prophecy then describes failing waters. The river, streams, reeds, meadows and sown fields dry up. This affects ordinary work. Fishermen lament, net-makers languish, flax workers are confounded and hired workers are grieved. The passage links Egypt’s distress to the loss of the water and work it depends on.
04Wise leaders prove foolishThe final part challenges Egypt’s rulers and advisers. The princes of Zoan are called foolish, and Pharaoh’s wise counsellors are said to be stupid.
Explanation
The final part challenges Egypt’s rulers and advisers. The princes of Zoan are called foolish, and Pharaoh’s wise counsellors are said to be stupid. They cannot explain Yahweh’s purpose concerning Egypt. The princes of Zoan and Memphis are deceived and lead Egypt astray, so that no part of the nation can achieve its work.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What things in Egypt are shown to fail when Yahweh comes against the nation?
List the groups and resources named in the passage, such as idols, counsellors, the river and different workers.
02How does the passage show that Egypt’s own guidance is not enough?
Notice what happens to the counsel of the Egyptians and what is said about the princes and wise men.
03Why are the fishermen, flax workers and hired workers mentioned?
They show that the judgement affects everyday labour across Egypt, especially after the waters fail.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 19:1–15
1The burden of Egypt. “Behold, Yahweh rides on a swift cloud, and comes to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence; and the heart of Egypt will melt within it.
2I will stir up the Egyptians against the Egyptians, and they will fight everyone against his brother, and everyone against his neighbor; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
3The spirit of the Egyptians will fail within them. I will destroy their counsel. They will seek the idols, the charmers, those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards.
4I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel lord. A fierce king will rule over them,” says the Lord, Yahweh of Armies.
5The waters will fail from the sea, and the river will be wasted and become dry.
6The rivers will become foul. The streams of Egypt will be diminished and dried up. The reeds and flags will wither away.
7The meadows by the Nile, by the brink of the Nile, and all the sown fields of the Nile, will become dry, be driven away, and be no more.
8The fishermen will lament, and all those who fish in the Nile will mourn, and those who spread nets on the waters will languish.
9Moreover those who work in combed flax, and those who weave white cloth, will be confounded.
10The pillars will be broken in pieces. All those who work for hire will be grieved in soul.
11The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish. The counsel of the wisest counselors of Pharaoh has become stupid. How do you say to Pharaoh, “I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings”?
12Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you now; and let them know what Yahweh of Armies has purposed concerning Egypt.
13The princes of Zoan have become fools. The princes of Memphis are deceived. They have caused Egypt to go astray, those who are the cornerstone of her tribes.
14Yahweh has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the middle of her; and they have caused Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
15Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which head or tail, palm branch or rush, may do.