King James Version

What Does Isaiah 19:17 Mean?

Isaiah 19:17 in the King James Version says “And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, be...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 19:17 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

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

19

In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.

Read Isaiah 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' Dramatic reversal: formerly mighty Egypt fears tiny Judah. Not because Judah is militarily superior, but because of 'the counsel of the LORD of hosts'—divine purposes associated with Judah terrify Egypt. Mere mention of Judah causes fear—Egypt recognizes God's hand protecting Judah and judging Egypt. This reversal demonstrates that God's presence determines geopolitical realities, not military or economic factors. A weak nation aligned with God's purposes becomes fearsome; a strong nation opposing God becomes terrified. This anticipates how the Church, though apparently weak, conquers mighty empires through spiritual power (Acts 17:6—'these that have turned the world upside down').

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Historical & Cultural Context

This reversal was fulfilled in 701 BCE when Assyria's massive army was destroyed while besieging Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:36-37). Egypt witnessed what God did defending Judah and recognized divine power. Sennacherib's own annals tacitly acknowledge failure to conquer Jerusalem. This event had lasting impact—surrounding nations recognized Yahweh's power, and Judah's tiny size relative to Egypt became irrelevant. The principle repeated throughout history: weak believers aligned with God's purposes triumph over apparently superior opposition. Church history shows this pattern—persecuted Christians outlasting Roman Empire, missionaries conquering cultures through gospel, reformers overturning ecclesiastical corruption. Divine presence determines outcomes, not human strength.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does weak Judah terrifying mighty Egypt teach about divine presence trumping human power?
  2. How did the 701 BCE deliverance demonstrate this reversal of natural expectations?
  3. In what ways does the Church similarly conquer through spiritual power despite apparent weakness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְ֠הָיְתָה1 of 19
H1961

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

אַדְמַ֨ת2 of 19

“And the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

יְהוּדָ֤ה3 of 19

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

לְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙4 of 19

“unto Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לְחָגָּ֔א5 of 19

“shall be a terror”

H2283

properly, vertigo, i.e., (figuratively) fear

כֹּל֩6 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר7 of 19
H834

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

יַזְכִּ֥יר8 of 19

“every one that maketh mention”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אֹתָ֛הּ9 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֵלָ֖יו10 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִפְחָ֑ד11 of 19

“thereof shall be afraid”

H6342

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

מִפְּנֵ֗י12 of 19

“in himself 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

עֲצַת֙13 of 19

“of the counsel”

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

יְהוָ֣ה14 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֔וֹת15 of 19

“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

אֲשֶׁר16 of 19
H834

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

ה֖וּא17 of 19
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

יוֹעֵ֥ץ18 of 19

“which he hath determined”

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

עָלָֽיו׃19 of 19
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 19:17 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 19:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 14:24Daniel 4:35Isaiah 14:26-27Jeremiah 25:19Isaiah 46:10-11Ezekiel 29:6-7

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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