Isaiah 19:6

And they shall turn the rivers far away; [and] the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.

And they shall turn {H2186} the rivers {H5104} far away {H2186}; and the brooks {H2975} of defence {H4693} shall be emptied {H1809} and dried up {H2717}: the reeds {H7070} and flags {H5488} shall wither {H7060}.

The rivers will become foul, the canals of Egypt's Nile will dwindle and dry up, the reeds and rushes will wither.

The canals will stink; the streams of Egypt will trickle and dry up; the reeds and rushes will wither.

And the rivers shall become foul; the streams of Egypt shall be diminished and dried up; the reeds and flags shall wither away.

Commentary

Isaiah 19:6 describes a dire consequence of God's judgment upon ancient Egypt, detailing the catastrophic drying up of its vital waterways. This verse paints a vivid picture of desolation, where the very lifeblood of the nation—its rivers and canals—are rendered useless, leading to widespread famine and economic collapse.

Context

The entire chapter 19 of Isaiah is a prophetic oracle against Egypt, a powerful nation often seen as a symbol of worldly strength and a potential ally for Israel. The lifeblood of Egypt was the Nile River, which provided for agriculture, transport, and defense. This verse vividly portrays the reversal of Egypt's prosperity through the desolation of its most crucial resource, signifying a complete breakdown of its economic and social order. This prophecy serves as a warning against relying on human power and wisdom instead of God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Desolation: The drying up of rivers and brooks is a direct act of God's judgment, leading to widespread desolation. It illustrates how easily God can remove the very foundations of a nation's strength and prosperity.
  • Vulnerability of Human Reliance: Egypt's power and abundance were inextricably linked to the Nile. This prophecy highlights the futility of relying on natural resources or human ingenuity for security, rather than on the sovereign God. Similar themes are found when discussing trusting in human strength or worldly alliances.
  • Ecological Collapse: The withering of "reeds and flags" emphasizes the thoroughness of the desolation, impacting not just human economy but the entire ecosystem. It signifies a complete reversal of the fertile landscape into barrenness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "brooks of defence" (Hebrew: יְאֹרֵי מָצוֹר ye'orei matsor) refers to the fortified canals or irrigation channels that were crucial for Egypt's agriculture and possibly for military protection. Their emptying signifies a loss of both sustenance and security. "Reeds" (קָנֶה qaneh) and "flags" (סוּף suph) are common marsh plants, indicating the complete drying of the wetland areas vital to Egyptian life, much like the Nile's transformation during the plagues in Exodus.

Practical Application

Isaiah 19:6 serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly sources of security and prosperity are ultimately dependent on God's will. It challenges us to consider where our true trust lies. Nations and individuals alike are called to recognize God's sovereignty and avoid placing ultimate reliance on material wealth, military might, or natural resources. The verse underscores the principle that trusting in the Lord with all your heart is the only true foundation for stability and enduring peace. It reminds us that even the most powerful human systems are fragile before the power of God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 37:25

    I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places.

  • Exodus 2:3

    And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid [it] in the flags by the river's brink.

  • Job 8:11

    Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?

  • 2 Kings 19:24

    I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.

  • Exodus 7:18

    And the fish that [is] in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.

  • Isaiah 18:2

    That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, [saying], Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!

  • Isaiah 15:6

    ¶ For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.
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