King James Version

What Does Isaiah 19:16 Mean?

Isaiah 19:16 in the King James Version says “In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LO...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.”

Isaiah 19:16 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

14

The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit. a perverse: Heb. a spirit of perversities

15

Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.

16

In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

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.

18

In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. the language: Heb. the lip of destruction: or, of Heres, or, of the sun

Read Isaiah 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.' Egypt becomes 'like women'—not sexist but using ancient Near Eastern military metaphor where 'like women' meant 'unable to fight' (Jeremiah 50:37; 51:30; Nahum 3:13). Egypt's military prowess fails, becoming weak and fearful. The 'shaking of the hand' represents raised hand about to strike—the threatening gesture produces terror before the blow falls. God's mere threatening gesture reduces Egypt to fearful paralysis. This demonstrates divine power's superiority over human strength—what humans consider mighty (Egypt's military) God can reduce to trembling weakness. The verse emphasizes psychological defeat: fear itself paralyzes, showing that moral courage is also a divine gift. When God withdraws courage, even mighty warriors cannot fight.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt's military reputation was formidable—chariotry, infantry, archers, fortifications. Yet against Assyria and later powers, Egyptian armies repeatedly failed despite apparent advantages. The defeat at Eltekeh (701 BCE) saw Egyptian forces flee despite initially engaging. Later Persian and Greek conquests saw similar patterns—seemingly strong Egyptian forces proving ineffective. The prophecy's fulfillment showed military power divorced from divine blessing is empty. Historical parallels abound: nations with impressive militaries suffering humiliating defeats through morale collapse, poor leadership, or divine intervention. Ultimate military success depends on spiritual factors more than material capabilities—a principle repeatedly validated throughout biblical and subsequent history.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Egypt's martial strength becoming weakness teach about human power divorced from God?
  2. How does God's threatening gesture producing paralysis demonstrate psychological dimensions of divine judgment?
  3. Why is moral courage (ability to fight) also a divine gift subject to withdrawal?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
בַּיּ֣וֹם1 of 16

“In that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֔וּא2 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִֽהְיֶ֥ה3 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִצְרַ֖יִם4 of 16

“shall Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

כַּנָּשִׁ֑ים5 of 16

“be like unto women”

H802

a woman

וְחָרַ֣ד׀6 of 16

“and it shall be afraid”

H2729

to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)

וּפָחַ֗ד7 of 16

“and fear”

H6342

to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence, to fear in general

מִפְּנֵי֙8 of 16

“because”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

תְּנוּפַת֙9 of 16

“of the shaking”

H8573

a brandishing (in threat); by implication, tumult; specifically, the official undulation of sacrificial offerings

יַד10 of 16

“of the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָ֣ה11 of 16

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֔וֹת12 of 16

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֲשֶׁר13 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

ה֖וּא14 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מֵנִ֥יף15 of 16

“which he shaketh”

H5130

to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad

עָלָֽיו׃16 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 19:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 19:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:30Nahum 3:13Isaiah 11:15Jeremiah 30:5-7Jeremiah 50:37Zechariah 2:9

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Isaiah 19 →

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