Isaiah 19:17

And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it.

And the land {H127} of Judah {H3063} shall be a terror {H2283} unto Egypt {H4714}, every one that maketh mention {H2142} thereof shall be afraid {H6342} in himself, because {H6440} of the counsel {H6098} of the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, which he hath determined {H3289} against it.

Just mentioning the land of Y'hudah to the Egyptians will throw them into panic; they will be afraid because of what ADONAI-Tzva'ot has planned for them.

The land of Judah will bring terror to Egypt; whenever Judah is mentioned, Egypt will tremble over what the LORD of Hosts has planned against it.

And the land of Judah shall become a terror unto Egypt; every one to whom mention is made thereof shall be afraid, because of the purpose of Jehovah of hosts, which he purposeth against it.

Isaiah 19:17 is a powerful prophetic declaration, detailing the future state of Egypt in relation to Judah as part of God's comprehensive judgment on the proud nation of Egypt.

Context of Isaiah 19:17

This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle (Isaiah 19) concerning Egypt, one of the "burdens" or pronouncements of judgment against foreign nations that Isaiah delivered. At the time, Egypt was a significant regional power, often a tempting but ultimately unreliable ally for Judah against the rising Assyrian Empire. Isaiah's prophecies frequently warned against trusting in human alliances rather than God. Chapter 19 describes the various plagues and internal strife that would weaken Egypt, leading to its desolation and ultimately, its conversion to the LORD in a distant future.

The immediate context of verse 17 follows descriptions of Egypt's economic collapse, internal divisions, and the failure of its wise men and idols. The verse highlights a dramatic reversal of fortunes: historically, Egypt had oppressed Israel (as seen in Exodus 1:11), but now, Judah, often seen as a smaller, vulnerable nation, would become a source of terror for Egypt.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: The core message is the absolute control of God over nations. It is "the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it." This emphasizes that historical events, including the rise and fall of empires, are not random but part of God's sovereign plan. For more on God's unchangeable purpose, see Psalm 33:11.
  • Reversal of Fortunes: The verse vividly portrays a dramatic shift where the once-mighty Egypt would dread the very mention of Judah. This reversal underscores God's power to humble the proud and exalt the lowly.
  • God's Justice: This prophecy serves as a clear example of God's justice applied to nations that defy Him, rely on idolatry, and oppress His people. The fear Egypt experiences is a direct consequence of God's determined judgment.
  • The Fear of the LORD: While Egypt fears Judah, the underlying reason is their fear of the God of Judah. It illustrates that when God moves, even powerful nations are struck with terror.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "terror unto Egypt" uses the Hebrew word megorah (מְגֹרָה), meaning "dread" or "terror." It signifies a profound, unsettling fear that grips the heart. The phrase "counsel of the LORD of hosts" (עֲצַת יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, atzat Yahweh Tzeva'ot) is particularly significant. "LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Tzeva'ot) is a divine title emphasizing God's supreme power as the commander of heavenly armies and all creation. His "counsel" refers to His unchangeable, sovereign plan and purpose, which He brings to pass regardless of human resistance.

Related Scriptures

  • For other prophecies of divine judgment on Egypt, consider Jeremiah 46:2 or Ezekiel 29:19.
  • The theme of God's sovereignty over all nations is also powerfully articulated in Daniel 2:21.

Practical Application

Isaiah 19:17 reminds us that God's plans are unshakeable. Neither human strength, political alliances, nor military might can thwart His determined counsel. For believers, this offers immense comfort: if God can bring powerful nations to their knees, He is certainly capable of working out His purposes in our individual lives. It also serves as a warning against placing trust in worldly power or rejecting divine wisdom. Ultimately, it teaches us to fear God alone, for His counsel stands forever, and His judgments are just and true.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 14:24

    ¶ The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, [so] shall it stand:

  • Daniel 4:35

    And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

  • Jeremiah 25:19

    Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;

  • Jeremiah 25:27

    Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.

  • Jeremiah 25:31

    A noise shall come [even] to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them [that are] wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 43:8

    ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,

  • Jeremiah 43:13

    He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that [is] in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.

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