King James Version

What Does Isaiah 19:21 Mean?

Isaiah 19:21 in the King James Version says “And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and obla...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.”

Isaiah 19:21 · KJV

Context

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.

20

And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.

21

And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.

22

And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.

23

In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.

Read Isaiah 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.' Knowledge of Yahweh becomes Egypt's possession—'the LORD shall be known' indicates revelation, and 'Egyptians shall know' indicates response. This isn't mere intellectual awareness but covenant relationship knowledge (Hebrew yada—intimate experiential knowledge). They'll offer legitimate worship: sacrifice (zebach—animal offerings) and oblation (minchah—grain offerings), make vows and fulfill them. This depicts full covenant participation—Gentiles worshipping as covenant members. Reformed covenant theology sees this fulfilled in New Covenant where Gentiles are grafted into Israel (Romans 11:17-24), sharing full covenant privileges without ethnic distinction (Galatians 3:28-29). The prophecy anticipates the multi-ethnic Church.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical fulfillment came through Egyptian Jewish communities and especially Egyptian Christianity. Christian worship replaced animal sacrifices with Christ's sufficient sacrifice remembered in Communion, and grain offerings with spiritual offerings of praise and service. Egyptian Christians did 'know the LORD'—experientially through faith in Christ, not merely intellectually. They made vows (baptismal vows, monastic vows) and performed them. The prophecy's fulfillment demonstrates Old Testament ceremonial particulars giving way to New Covenant spiritual realities, while the underlying principle (Gentile nations coming to genuine knowledge and worship of the true God) finds complete fulfillment. Egyptian Christianity's historical depth validated this prophecy's accuracy.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Egyptians 'knowing the LORD' teach about covenant relationship extending beyond ethnic Israel?
  2. How does worship through sacrifice and vows illustrate full covenant participation?
  3. In what ways did Egyptian Christianity fulfill this through New Covenant worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְיָדְע֥וּ1 of 16

“shall be known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לַֽיהוָ֖ה2 of 16

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

מִצְרַ֛יִם3 of 16

“and the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְיָדְע֥וּ4 of 16

“shall be known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מִצְרַ֛יִם5 of 16

“and the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֶת6 of 16
H853

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

לַֽיהוָ֖ה7 of 16

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

בַּיּ֣וֹם8 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

הַה֑וּא9 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

וְעָֽבְדוּ֙10 of 16

“and shall do”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

זֶ֣בַח11 of 16

“sacrifice”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

וּמִנְחָ֔ה12 of 16

“and oblation”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְנָדְרוּ13 of 16

“yea they shall vow”

H5087

to promise (pos., to do or give something to god)

נֵ֥דֶר14 of 16

“a vow”

H5088

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

לַֽיהוָ֖ה15 of 16

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

וְשִׁלֵּֽמוּ׃16 of 16

“and perform”

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

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 19:21 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 19:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 11:9Malachi 1:11Psalms 67:2Psalms 98:2-31 Kings 8:43Isaiah 44:5

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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