King James Version

What Does Isaiah 19:2 Mean?

Isaiah 19:2 in the King James Version says “And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one ag...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. set: Heb. mingle”

Isaiah 19:2 · KJV

Context

1

The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

2

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. set: Heb. mingle

3

And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. fail: Heb. be emptied destroy: Heb. swallow up

4

And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts. give: or, shut up

Read Isaiah 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.' Divine judgment manifests as civil war—God withdrawing the common grace maintaining social cohesion, resulting in fratricidal conflict. The progression from individual ('brother...neighbour') to corporate ('city...kingdom') indicates comprehensive internal strife. This judgment pattern appears throughout Scripture—God often judges nations by removing unity, causing self-destruction (Judges 7:22; 2 Chronicles 20:23). Egypt will devour itself without external invasion needed. This demonstrates that social peace is a divine gift; its removal produces chaos. Reformed theology recognizes all good, including social harmony, derives from God's grace; judgment simply withdraws that grace, letting sin's natural consequences manifest.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egyptian history between 8th-6th centuries BCE featured exactly this pattern: civil wars between rival dynasties, nomes (provinces) fighting each other, competing pharaohs, internal fragmentation. After the Ethiopian 25th Dynasty, Egypt experienced the Saite period, Persian conquests, more internal divisions, Ptolemaic conflicts, and eventual Roman absorption. The once-unified empire fragmented repeatedly. Archaeological evidence and ancient historians (Herodotus, Manetho) document these chaotic periods. The prophecy's fulfillment demonstrates God's sovereign control over even powerful empires—He can destroy them externally through invaders or internally through removing the grace maintaining cohesion.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does civil war as divine judgment teach about God's common grace maintaining social order?
  2. How does God judging nations by removing unity demonstrate sovereignty over internal affairs?
  3. Why do societies fall into self-destructive conflict when divine restraint is removed?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְסִכְסַכְתִּ֤י1 of 12

“And I will set”

H5526

properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect

בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם2 of 12

“against the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם3 of 12

“against the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְנִלְחֲמ֥וּ4 of 12

“and they shall fight”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

וְאִ֣ישׁ5 of 12

“and every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּאָחִ֖יו6 of 12

“against his brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְאִ֣ישׁ7 of 12

“and every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּרֵעֵ֑הוּ8 of 12

“against his neighbour”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

בְּעִ֔יר9 of 12

“against city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בְּעִ֔יר10 of 12

“against city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בְּמַמְלָכָֽה׃11 of 12

“against kingdom”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

בְּמַמְלָכָֽה׃12 of 12

“against kingdom”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

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 19:2 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 19:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 7:221 Samuel 14:20Matthew 10:36Revelation 17:12-17Matthew 10:21Matthew 12:25

Places in This Verse

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

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 19 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Isaiah 19 with CommentaryAll Isaiah ChaptersComplete Isaiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes