King James Version

What Does Isaiah 19:8 Mean?

Isaiah 19:8 in the King James Version says “The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 19:8 · KJV

Context

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.

9

Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded. networks: or, white works

10

And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish. purposes: Heb. foundations for fish: Heb. of living things

Read Isaiah 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' Economic devastation extends to fishing industry—fishermen mourn because there are no fish to catch. The progression ('cast angle...spread nets') covers different fishing methods, indicating comprehensive failure across all techniques. 'Languish' (amal) means to be feeble, weak—the economic depression affects the workers themselves, not just their trade. This demonstrates how judgment on natural resources (Nile drying up) cascades into unemployment, poverty, and despair among dependent populations. God's judgments are thorough, affecting entire economic ecosystems. The specific mention of fishermen mourning emphasizes the human suffering resulting from divine judgment—God is not indifferent to human pain, yet justice demands response to sin.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Fishing was a major Egyptian industry—Nile fish provided crucial protein for the population. Multiple fishing methods (hooks, nets, traps) were depicted in tomb paintings and reliefs. Dried fish were traded regionally. When Nile levels dropped significantly, fish populations crashed, causing economic hardship for fishing communities and protein shortages for consumers. The prophecy accurately describes how environmental/resource judgments produce unemployment and economic depression—patterns visible throughout history when natural resources fail. Modern analogies include fishing communities devastated when fish stocks collapse—economic, social, and psychological toll extends far beyond just the resource itself.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do natural resource failures cascade into widespread human suffering?
  2. What does specific mention of mourning fishermen teach about God's awareness of judgment's human cost?
  3. Why does divine justice require judgment despite awareness of resulting human pain?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאָנוּ֙1 of 13

“also shall mourn”

H578

to groan

הַדַּיָּגִ֔ים2 of 13

“The fishers”

H1771

a fisherman

וְאָ֣בְל֔וּ3 of 13

“shall lament”

H56

to bewail

כָּל4 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַשְׁלִיכֵ֥י5 of 13

“and all they that cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

בַיְא֖וֹר6 of 13

“into 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

חַכָּ֑ה7 of 13

“angle”

H2443

a hook (as adhering)

וּפֹרְשֵׂ֥י8 of 13

“and they that spread”

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

מִכְמֹ֛רֶת9 of 13

“nets”

H4365

a (fisher's) net

עַל10 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵי11 of 13

“upon”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מַ֖יִם12 of 13

“the waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

אֻמְלָֽלוּ׃13 of 13

“shall languish”

H535

to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn

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 19:8 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 19:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 1:15Ezekiel 47:10Numbers 11:5Exodus 7:21

Places in This Verse

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