King James Version
What Does Isaiah 19:25 Mean?
“Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.”
Isaiah 19:25 · KJV
Context
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.
24
In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:
25
Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
Commentary
KJV Study Commentary'Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.' Astonishing conclusion: God applies His covenant titles to Gentile nations. 'Egypt MY PEOPLE' uses the covenant phrase reserved for Israel (Exodus 3:7; Hosea 1:9-10). 'Assyria the work of my hands' echoes Isaiah 60:21's description of Israel. 'Israel mine inheritance' is traditional covenant language (Deuteronomy 4:20). This demonstrates complete equality—no nation privileged above others based on ethnicity. God's covenant blessings extend to all who worship Him, regardless of origin. This prophesies New Covenant reality: neither Jew nor Greek, all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). Reformed theology emphasizes election based on grace, not ethnicity—God's people include believers from every nation equally. This concluding verse captures the entire chapter's redemptive arc: judgment leads to repentance, repentance to healing, healing to unity, unity to blessing.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Never literally fulfilled with historical Egypt and Assyria as nations. Fulfillment is entirely ecclesiological: Egyptian and Assyrian Christians (representing all Gentiles) become 'God's people,' equal with Jewish Christians. Acts 15 resolves this issue—Gentiles don't need to become Jews to be God's people; faith in Christ suffices. The prophecy's fulfillment required New Covenant revelation to understand—Old Testament saints couldn't fully grasp how Gentiles would be included so completely. Paul calls this the 'mystery' hidden for ages: Gentiles fellow heirs with Jews (Ephesians 3:6). This verse prophetically announced what grace would accomplish: multi-ethnic people equally beloved, equally God's workmanship, equally His inheritance. The prophecy's grandeur reveals God's heart for all nations.
Reflection Questions
- What does God calling Egypt 'my people' teach about covenant inclusion transcending ethnicity?
- How does this prophecy require New Covenant revelation to understand properly?
- In what ways does this capture the gospel's mystery: multi-ethnic people equally beloved by God?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 13 wordsאֲשֶׁ֧ר1 of 13
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּר֨וּךְ2 of 13
“Blessed”
H1288to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָ֥ה3 of 13
“Whom the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת4 of 13
“of hosts”
H6635a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
בָּר֨וּךְ6 of 13
“Blessed”
H1288to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
עַמִּ֜י7 of 13
“my people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וּמַעֲשֵׂ֤ה9 of 13
“the work”
H4639an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יָדַי֙10 of 13
“of my hands”
H3027a 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
אַשּׁ֔וּר11 of 13
“and Assyria”
H804ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
וְנַחֲלָתִ֖י12 of 13
“mine inheritance”
H5159properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃13 of 13
“and Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
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 19:25 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 19:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge