What does it mean that Egypt will be like women in this passage?

When the passage says Egypt will be “like unto women,” it is using a common ancient picture for fear and loss of courage. Egypt was known as a strong nation, but here its power collapses. The “shaking of the hand of the Lord of hosts” means God Himself is bringing judgment. Even their bravest warriors will be afraid when God acts against their pride and idols. The point is not to insult women, but to show how a proud, battle-ready people will become weak and terrified when God confronts them.

Why is the land of Judah described as a terror to Egypt?

Judah becomes a terror to Egypt because what happens to Judah shows that God’s judgment is real. When Egypt hears of the Lord’s plans and what He has determined against the land, they realize they are not safe either. They had trusted in their own strength and had even tempted Judah to rely on them instead of on God. When they see that even God’s own people are not spared from discipline, they fear that the same or worse could fall on them for their own sins and pride.

What is the meaning of five cities in Egypt speaking the language of Canaan?

The picture of “five cities in the land of Egypt” speaking “the language of Canaan” points to Egyptians turning from idols to the worship of the Lord. The “language of Canaan” is the tongue of God’s people, where God was known and served. So this means some Egyptian cities will confess the same faith as Israel, call on the Lord, and swear loyalty to Him. One city is called “the city of destruction,” showing that while many turn to God, some still refuse and remain under judgment.

Why is there an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt?

The altar to the Lord in the middle of Egypt, and the pillar at its border, are signs that true worship has reached that land. In earlier times, God’s people sometimes set up altars and pillars as public markers that the Lord was honored there. Here the picture is that Egyptians, once idol worshipers, now call on the Lord, cry to Him when they are oppressed, and openly belong to Him. The altar and pillar show that Egypt has become a place where the true God is known and served.

Who is the saviour and a great one that God sends to Egypt?

The passage says that when the Egyptians cry to the Lord because of their oppressors, He will send them “a saviour, and a great one,” who will deliver them. This looks beyond just a human rescuer and points toward the coming of Christ, who saves people from every nation. He is both mighty and merciful, able to break outward bondage and, more deeply, to free from sin and false worship. Through Him, Egyptians come to know the Lord, offer true worship, and find lasting deliverance.

What does it mean that the Lord will smite and heal Egypt?

“He shall smite and heal it” shows that God’s blows are not only to destroy, but to bring people back. Egypt is first struck for its pride and idolatry, but the same God who wounds also heals when they turn back to Him. They “return even to the Lord,” pray to Him, and He listens and heals them. This reveals both His holiness and His mercy. God does not overlook sin, yet He is ready to forgive and restore those who call on Him in repentance and faith.

What is the highway from Egypt to Assyria in this prophecy?

The highway between Egypt and Assyria pictures former enemies now traveling freely and sharing in the worship of the Lord. These two nations had been powerful foes of God’s people and of each other. Here, instead of war and distrust, there is open movement and shared service to God. The Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. It points to a time when God gathers people from many nations into one family of faith, so that past hatred is replaced by peace, unity, and joint worship.

What does blessed be Egypt my people and Israel mine inheritance mean?

At the end, God calls Egypt “my people,” Assyria “the work of my hands,” and Israel “mine inheritance.” This is very striking, because Israel had long held a special place as God’s chosen nation. Here God shows that His mercy is larger than one nation. Egypt and Assyria, once enemies and idolaters, are brought into the same circle of blessing. It teaches that God can claim even former oppressors as His own when they turn to Him, and that His plan is to unite many peoples in His blessing.

Why can this passage feel difficult to understand today?

This passage can feel hard because it mixes sharp judgment with rich mercy, uses strong pictures, and names old nations like Egypt and Assyria. Some details, like the “city of destruction,” have been understood in more than one way. But the main line is clear: a proud nation is humbled, then turns to the Lord, and even old enemies are joined in one worship. The heart of the message is that God rules over all nations, hates idols, yet gladly receives any people who return to Him.

How can believers today apply the message about Egypt’s change of heart?

This prophecy invites believers to see that God can change even the most unlikely people and places. Egypt moves from fear, judgment, and idols to faith, prayer, and healing. That encourages us not to write off anyone, and not to trust in human power or alliances instead of God. It also calls us to visible, shared worship, like the altar and highway pictures. When God brings people together in Christ from many backgrounds, former divisions can give way to peace and shared service to Him.

Isa.19.16

Isaiah 19:16

KJV

In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

A Blessing upon the Earth

In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the Lord of hosts, which he hath determined against it.

¶ In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.

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.

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.

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.

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.

¶ 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.

In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:

Whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.