King James Version

What Does Isaiah 19:6 Mean?

Isaiah 19:6 in the King James Version says “And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags sh...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.”

Isaiah 19:6 · KJV

Context

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.

6

And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.

7

The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more. and be: Heb. and shall not be

8

The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.

Read Isaiah 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.' The Nile's branches ('rivers'—distributaries in the Delta) turn away—changing course or drying up. 'Brooks of defence' (irrigation canals) empty—defensive moats and waterways fail. Reeds and flags (papyrus and marsh plants) wither. This comprehensive ecological collapse affects every level of Egyptian life: transportation (Nile boats), defense (water barriers), agriculture (irrigation), and industry (papyrus production for boats, writing materials, textiles). The totality demonstrates divine judgment affecting entire economic and social systems, not just isolated aspects. When God judges nations, consequences cascade through interconnected systems, producing comprehensive disruption. This illustrates that blessing and curse are systemic, affecting all of life's domains.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Egypt's complex irrigation system channeled Nile water throughout the Nile Valley and Delta. Canals served agricultural, defensive, and transportation purposes. Papyrus (ancient paper) was a major Egyptian product, growing in marshlands. The prophecy describes ecological disaster affecting all these interdependent systems. Historically, while not literal total collapse, Egypt did experience periods when irrigation systems failed due to political chaos, maintenance neglect during invasions, or extended low-flood periods. These caused cascading economic failures. Modern ecological principles confirm how interconnected systems mean isolated failures can trigger comprehensive collapse—precisely what the prophecy describes as divine judgment's pattern.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does comprehensive ecological collapse illustrate the interconnectedness of divine blessings?
  2. What does cascade failure (irrigation, defense, agriculture, industry) teach about judgment's systemic nature?
  3. Why are human economic and social systems ultimately vulnerable without divine blessing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וְהֶאֶזְנִ֣יחוּ1 of 9

“And they shall turn”

H2186

reject, forsake, fail

נְהָר֔וֹת2 of 9

“the rivers”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

דָּלֲל֥וּ3 of 9

“shall be emptied”

H1809

to slacken or be feeble; figuratively, to be oppressed

וְחָרְב֖וּ4 of 9

“and dried up”

H2717

to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill

יְאֹרֵ֣י5 of 9

“and the brooks”

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

מָצ֑וֹר6 of 9

“of defence”

H4693

egypt (as the border of palestine)

קָנֶ֥ה7 of 9

“the reeds”

H7070

a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)

וָס֖וּף8 of 9

“and flags”

H5488

a reed, especially the papyrus

קָמֵֽלוּ׃9 of 9

“shall wither”

H7060

to wither

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 19:6 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 19:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 37:25Exodus 2:3Job 8:112 Kings 19:24Exodus 7:18Isaiah 18:2

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
NileRiver · Modern: Nile River · 31.47°N, 30.37°E45 verses across 9 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