King James Version

What Does Isaiah 19:3 Mean?

Isaiah 19:3 in the King James Version says “And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Isaiah 19:3 · 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

5

And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' Egypt's 'spirit' (ruach—breath, spirit, courage, morale) fails—collective confidence collapses. God destroys their 'counsel' (etsah—plans, wisdom, strategy), indicating intellectual/planning capacity vanishes. Desperate, they multiply religious activity—consulting idols, charmers (whisperers), mediums (familiar spirits), and wizards (knowing ones). This intensified occultism demonstrates that crisis drives people toward spiritual solutions, but apart from true revelation, they grasp futile alternatives. The proliferation of sources (idols, charmers, mediums, wizards) indicates confusion and desperation—frantically seeking help everywhere except from the true God. This illustrates that false religion multiplies most when earthly securities fail.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt was famous for magic, divination, and occult practices. Exodus depicts Egyptian magicians opposing Moses (Exodus 7-8). Egyptian papyri preserve countless spells, incantations, and magical texts. In crisis periods, such practices intensified—archaeological evidence shows increased magical papyri, amulets, and curse tablets during unstable periods. Yet none of these practices could prevent Egypt's decline. The prophecy mocks religion divorced from truth: spectacular diversity of spiritual practices accomplishing nothing. Only truth—revealed knowledge of the living God—provides genuine help. This validated Yahweh as superior to Egypt's entire magical/religious complex.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does crisis intensify religious activity yet often not lead to the true God?
  2. What does the multiplication of spiritual sources (idols, charmers, mediums, wizards) reveal about spiritual confusion?
  3. How does Egypt's futile occultism demonstrate that only true revelation provides genuine spiritual help?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְנָבְקָ֤ה1 of 15

shall fail

H1238

to pour out, i.e., to empty, figuratively, to depopulate; by analogy, to spread out (as a fruitful vine)

רֽוּחַ2 of 15

And the spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙3 of 15

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ4 of 15

in the midst

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

וַעֲצָת֖וֹ5 of 15

the counsel

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

אֲבַלֵּ֑עַ6 of 15

thereof and I will destroy

H1104

to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy

וְדָרְשׁ֤וּ7 of 15

thereof and they shall seek

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

אֶל8 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽאֱלִילִים֙9 of 15

to the idols

H457

good for nothing, by analogy vain or vanity; specifically an idol

וְאֶל10 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָ֣אִטִּ֔ים11 of 15

and to the charmers

H328

(as an adverb) gently

וְאֶל12 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאֹב֖וֹת13 of 15

and to them that have familiar spirits

H178

properly, a mumble, i.e., a water-skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar)

וְאֶל14 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַיִּדְּעֹנִֽים׃15 of 15

and to the wizards

H3049

properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost


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 19:3 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 19:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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