19:4 19:4

Isaiah 19:5

19:6 19:6

Bible Versions

And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.
And the waters {H4325} shall fail {H5405} from the sea {H3220}, and the river {H5104} shall be wasted {H2717} and dried up {H3001}.
The water will ebb from the sea, the river will be drained dry.
The waters of the Nile will dry up, and the riverbed will be parched and empty.
And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and become dry.

Isaiah 19:5 paints a vivid picture of severe desolation, specifically targeting ancient Egypt. This verse describes a catastrophic drought where the very lifeblood of the nation—its waters—would fail, leading to widespread ruin.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle against Egypt, found in Isaiah chapter 19. The prophecies detail a series of judgments that God would bring upon Egypt, a powerful nation that often served as a temptation for Israel to trust in human alliances rather than in God. For ancient Egypt, the "sea" and "river" primarily refer to the Nile River and its various branches, canals, and associated marshes and lakes. The Nile was absolutely central to Egypt's survival, providing water for drinking, agriculture, transportation, and industry. Therefore, the drying up of the Nile signifies a complete collapse of Egyptian society, economy, and even its religious system, which often deified the Nile.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's absolute control over creation and nations. The drying up of the Nile, an seemingly impregnable natural resource, underscores that even the most powerful human civilizations are utterly dependent on God's will. It shows the Lord sitting as King over the flood and all natural elements.
  • Desolation and Economic Ruin: The failure of the waters would lead to agricultural collapse, famine, and the destruction of industries dependent on the Nile, such as fishing, linen production (flax needs water), and papyrus. This prophecy foretells an environmental and economic disaster of immense proportions.
  • The Fragility of Human Reliance: Egypt prided itself on its wealth and natural defenses, yet this verse highlights the vulnerability of any nation that does not acknowledge God's ultimate authority. Their reliance on the Nile was ultimately placed on a created thing, not the Creator.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "sea" (יָם - yam) in this context, especially when paired with "river" (נָהָר - nahar), almost certainly refers to the extensive Nile system, including its delta, marshes, and perhaps even the Red Sea (which was sometimes considered an extension of the Nile's influence by some ancient writers), rather than the Mediterranean Sea. The phrase "wasted and dried up" uses strong verbs that convey a sense of utter and irreversible depletion, emphasizing the severity of the judgment.

Practical Application

Isaiah 19:5 serves as a powerful reminder of God's supreme authority over all things, natural and geopolitical. It teaches us several crucial lessons:

  1. Trust in God Alone: We are warned against placing our ultimate trust in human systems, economic stability, or natural resources, as these can fail. Our reliance should always be on the unchanging character and provision of God. As Proverbs 3:5 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
  2. Divine Justice: God holds nations and individuals accountable for their actions. While this prophecy was specific to Egypt, it illustrates a timeless principle of divine justice that can manifest in various forms.
  3. Humility: The verse encourages humility, recognizing that even the most formidable human achievements and natural advantages are subject to God's will and power.
Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 51:36

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.

  • Ezekiel 30:12

    And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken [it].

  • Zechariah 14:18

    And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that [have] no [rain]; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

  • Zechariah 10:11

    And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
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