Isaiah 19:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I will hand over the Egyptians to a cruel master. A harsh king will rule them," says the Lord, ADONAI-Tzva'ot.

Berean Standard Bible:

I will deliver the Egyptians into the hands of harsh masters, and a fierce king will rule over them,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{H853} the Egyptians^{H4714} will I give over^{H5534} into the hand^{H3027} of a cruel^{H7186} lord^{H113}; and a fierce^{H5794} king^{H4428} shall rule^{H4910} over them, saith^{H5002} the Lord^{H113}, the LORD^{H3068} of hosts^{H6635}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Isaiah 19:4

Isaiah 19:4 is a prophetic verse set within the larger context of Isaiah's oracles concerning foreign nations in chapters 13-23. This particular verse is part of a section specifically addressing Egypt, which at the time of Isaiah's writing was a significant power in the ancient Near East and often a rival to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

In this verse, God, through the prophet Isaiah, declares that the Egyptians will be subjected to a "cruel lord" and a "fierce king." This prophecy reflects the theme of divine judgment, a common motif in the book of Isaiah, where nations that oppose God's people or fail to acknowledge God's sovereignty face consequences. The "cruel lord" and "fierce king" likely refer to a foreign oppressor, which could be interpreted historically as a reference to the various conquests Egypt experienced, including those by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.

The historical context of this verse would have been particularly poignant for the original audience, as it served as a warning to Egypt and a comfort to Judah, assuring them that their powerful neighbor would not always dominate them. The repeated use of "the Lord, the LORD of hosts" emphasizes the sovereignty of Yahweh over all nations and their rulers. It underscores the theological assertion that God actively intervenes in history to execute justice and fulfill His purposes, even using foreign powers as instruments of judgment or deliverance.

In summary, Isaiah 19:4 foretells the divine judgment that will come upon Egypt through the rule of a harsh and oppressive foreign ruler, emphasizing God's sovereignty over all kingdoms and His ability to humble the proud for His ultimate purposes. This message would have been both a caution to Egypt and an encouragement to Judah, reminding them of God's power to elevate or subdue nations according to His will.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H853
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵת
   Transliteration: ʼêth
   Pronunciation: ayth
   Description: apparent contracted from אוֹת in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: H4714
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
   Transliteration: Mitsrayim
   Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
   Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5534
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָכַר
   Transliteration: çâkar
   Pronunciation: saw-kar'
   Description: a primitive root; to shut up; by implication, to surrender; stop, give over. See also סָגַר, שָׂכַר.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7186
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָשֶׁה
   Transliteration: qâsheh
   Pronunciation: kaw-sheh'
   Description: from קָשָׁה; severe (in various applications); churlish, cruel, grievous, hard((-hearted), thing), heavy, [phrase] impudent, obstinate, prevailed, rough(-ly), sore, sorrowful, stiff(necked), stubborn, [phrase] in trouble.
   
6. Strong's Number: H113
   There are 337 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָדוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼâdôwn
   Pronunciation: aw-done'
   Description: or (shortened) אָדֹן; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine); lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5794
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַז
   Transliteration: ʻaz
   Pronunciation: az
   Description: from עָזַז; strong, vehement, harsh; fierce, [phrase] greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4910
   There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָשַׁל
   Transliteration: mâshal
   Pronunciation: maw-shal'
   Description: a primitive root; to rule; (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power.
   
10. Strong's Number: H5002
    There are 358 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נְאֻם
    Transliteration: nᵉʼum
    Pronunciation: neh-oom'
    Description: from נָאַם; an oracle; (hath) said, saith.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
    
12. Strong's Number: H6635
    There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָבָא
    Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
    Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
    Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).