Isaiah 19:2

Isaiah 19:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

And I will stir up the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbor; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And I will send the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they will be fighting every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; town against town, and kingdom against kingdom.

Free Bible Version FBV

I will encourage Egyptians to attack other Egyptians. They will fight each other, neighbor versus neighbor, town versus town, and kingdom versus kingdom.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: so euery one shall fight against his brother, and euery one against his neighbour, citie against citie, and kingdome against kingdome.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And I armed Egyptians against Egyptians, And they fought, each against his brother, And each against his neighbour, City against city, kingdom against kingdom.

World English Bible WEB

I will stir up the Egyptians against the Egyptians, and they will fight everyone against his brother, and everyone against his neighbor; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbor; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And I will set the Egyptians to fight against the Egyptians: and they shall fight brother against brother, and friend against friend, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.

Translation for Translators T4T

I will cause the people of Egypt to fight against each other: men will fight against their brothers, neighbors will fight against each other, people of one city will fight against the people of another city, people of one province will fight against the people of another province.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 19:2

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 19:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/סִכְסַכְתִּ֤י מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ בְּ/מִצְרַ֔יִם וְ/נִלְחֲמ֥וּ אִישׁ בְּ/אָחִ֖י/ו וְ/אִ֣ישׁ בְּ/רֵעֵ֑/הוּ עִ֣יר בְּ/עִ֔יר מַמְלָכָ֖ה בְּ/מַמְלָכָֽה

וְ/סִכְסַכְתִּ֤י çâkak H5526 to fence Conj | V-l-1cs

מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ Mitsrayim H4714 Egypt N-proper

בְּ/מִצְרַ֔יִם Mitsrayim H4714 Egypt Prep | N-proper

וְ/נִלְחֲמ֥וּ lâcham H3898 to fight Conj | V-Niphal-3cp

אִישׁ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms

בְּ/אָחִ֖י/ו ʼâch H251 brother Prep | N-ms | Suff

וְ/אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man Conj | N-ms

בְּ/רֵעֵ֑/הוּ rêaʻ H7453 neighbor Prep | N-ms | Suff

עִ֣יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement N-fs

בְּ/עִ֔יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement Prep | N-fs

מַמְלָכָ֖ה mamlâkâh H4467 kingdom N-fs

בְּ/מַמְלָכָֽה mamlâkâh H4467 kingdom Prep | N-fs

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 19:2

וְ/סִכְסַכְתִּ֤י çâkak H5526 "to fence" Conj | V-l-1cs

To weave means to entwine or fence in, implying protection, as seen in the Bible where it means to cover or defend something.

Definition: (Qal) to hedge, fence about, shut in

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: cover, defence, defend, hedge in, join together, set, shut up. See also: Exodus 25:20; Job 40:22; Psalms 5:12.

מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ Mitsrayim H4714 "Egypt" N-proper

This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.

Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt

Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.

בְּ/מִצְרַ֔יִם Mitsrayim H4714 "Egypt" Prep | N-proper

Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.

וְ/נִלְחֲמ֥וּ lâcham H3898 "to fight" Conj | V-Niphal-3cp

In the Bible, this word means to feed on or consume something, often referring to eating food or battling against someone. It's used in stories like David's battles and the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness.

Definition: 1) to fight, do battle, make war 1a) (Qal) to fight, do battle 1b) (Niphal) to engage in battle, wage war

Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). See also: Exodus 1:10; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 35:1.

אִישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" N-ms

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

בְּ/אָחִ֖י/ו ʼâch H251 "brother" Prep | N-ms | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.

Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance

Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.

וְ/אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" Conj | N-ms

בְּ/רֵעֵ֑/הוּ rêaʻ H7453 "neighbor" Prep | N-ms | Suff

A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.

Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)

Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.

עִ֣יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

בְּ/עִ֔יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Prep | N-fs

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

מַמְלָכָ֖ה mamlâkâh H4467 "kingdom" N-fs

This word refers to a kingdom or dominion, describing a ruler's power or territory. In the Bible, it is used to describe the kingdoms of Israel and other nations, as well as God's sovereignty. It emphasizes a ruler's authority and control.

Definition: 1) kingdom, dominion, reign, sovereignty 1a) kingdom, realm 1b) sovereignty, dominion 1c) reign

Usage: Occurs in 113 OT verses. KJV: kingdom, king's, reign, royal. See also: Genesis 10:10; 2 Chronicles 22:9; Psalms 46:7.

בְּ/מַמְלָכָֽה mamlâkâh H4467 "kingdom" Prep | N-fs

Definition: 1) kingdom, dominion, reign, sovereignty 1a) kingdom, realm 1b) sovereignty, dominion 1c) reign

Usage: Occurs in 113 OT verses. KJV: kingdom, king's, reign, royal. See also: Genesis 10:10; 2 Chronicles 22:9; Psalms 46:7.

Study Notes — Isaiah 19:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 19:2 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 19:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 19:2
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 19:2
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 19:2
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 19:2
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 19:2
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 19:2
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 19:2
Sermons on Isaiah 19:2

Context — The Burden against Egypt

1This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.

2“So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

3Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. 4I will deliver the Egyptians into the hands of a harsh master, and a fierce king will rule over them,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Judges 7:22	And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.
2	1 Samuel 14:20	Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.
3	Matthew 10:36	A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
4	Matthew 12:25	Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
5	Ezekiel 38:21	And I will summon a sword against Gog on all My mountains, declares the Lord GOD, and every man’s sword will be against his brother.
6	Revelation 17:12–17	The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings, along with the beast. These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast. They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.” Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
7	Matthew 10:21	Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.
8	Isaiah 9:21	Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
9	2 Chronicles 20:22–23	The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had made an end to the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
10	Isaiah 19:13–14	The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray. The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit.

Isaiah 19:2 Summary

[This verse means that God will cause the Egyptians to fight against each other, which will lead to confusion and chaos. This is part of God's judgment against the idols and false gods of Egypt, as mentioned in Isaiah 19:1. In simple terms, when people reject the one true God, He can allow them to experience strife and conflict, as seen in Romans 1:18-32. This verse reminds us that God is in control of all nations and can bring peace or conflict as He sees fit, as stated in Psalm 103:19.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to 'incite' Egyptians against each other?

This means that God will allow strife and conflict to arise among the Egyptians, causing them to fight against one another, as seen in Isaiah 19:2, similar to how He allowed the Israelites to be afflicted by their enemies in Judges 2:10-15.

Is this verse talking about a specific historical event or a future prophecy?

This verse is part of a larger prophecy against Egypt in Isaiah 19, and its fulfillment can be seen in historical events such as the conquests of Egypt by the Assyrians and later the Persians, as well as in the ongoing spiritual struggle of the Egyptian people, as mentioned in Ezekiel 29-32.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?

Isaiah 19:2 is a key part of the burden against Egypt, where God declares that He will judge the idols and the people of Egypt, leading to internal conflict and external conquest, as seen in Isaiah 19:1-4 and supported by Isaiah 30:1-5.

What does this verse teach us about God's sovereignty?

This verse shows that God is sovereign over all nations, including Egypt, and that He can stir up conflict or peace among them according to His will, as stated in Proverbs 21:1 and Daniel 4:25.

Reflection Questions

How do you see the principle of God's sovereignty over nations played out in your own life and in the world today?
What are some ways that God might be 'inciting' conflict or strife in your own heart or community, and how can you respond to it in a godly way?
In what ways can you trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with conflict or uncertainty, as seen in Psalm 46:1-11?
How does this verse challenge or comfort you in your understanding of God's role in the world, and what does it mean for your faith?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 19:2

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians,.... Or mingle and confound them together; in which confusion they should fall upon and destroy one another, as the Midianites did: the phrase is

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 19:2

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. I will set - stir up.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 19:2

I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians; I will raise civil wars among them. Kingdom against kingdom; for although all Egypt was now one kingdom, and under one king, yet not many years after this time it was divided into twelve several kingdoms, between whom there were many and cruel wars, as is related by the historians of those times, and particularly by Herodotus and Diodorus.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 19:2

Isaiah 19:2 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.Ver. 2. And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians.] Commiscebo Egyptios inter se, I will embroil them in a civil war. This happened, saith Junius, under King Psammeticus, after the death of Sethon, about the end of Hezekiah’ s reign, or the beginning of Manasseh’ s, while Isaiah was yet alive. And kingdom against kingdom.] Or, Rectory against rectory; for as here in the heptarchy, so there the land was divided into many provinces or jurisdictions, even sixty-six, saith Ortelius. Herod., lib. ii. Diod. Sic., lib. i.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 19:2

(2) I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians . . .—The discord predicted was probably the natural consequence of the overthrow of the Ethiopian power by Sargon, the Assyrian king, in B.C. 720. Under Piankhi each nome, or district, had been governed by a chief, owning the suzerainty of the Ethiopian king, and these, when the restraint was removed, would naturally assert their independence. So Herodotus (ii. 147) relates that on the overthrow of Sabaco, the last of the Ethiopian dynasty, the unity of Egypt was broken up into a dodecarchy.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 19:2

2. Jehovah speaks. The description of anarchy and civil war recalls ch. Isaiah 3:5, Isaiah 9:18 ff. I will set … Egyptians] Lit. I will stir up (see ch. Isaiah 9:11) Egypt against Egypt—the general expression for civil discord which is explained in the remainder of the verse. kingdom against kingdom] LXX. νομὸςἐπὶνομόν—a correct translation drawn from the translator’s local knowledge of Egypt. The numerous nomes or cantons were but loosely federated, and dissensions and local jealousies were always apt to break out when the central government was paralysed.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 19:2

And I will set - (סכסכתי sı̂ksaketı̂y). This word (from סכך sākak) means properly “to cover,” to spread over, to hide, conceal, to protect. Another signification of the verb is, to weave, to intermingle.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 19:2

2. Egyptians against… Egyptians — One district or nome against another. So the Septuagint: or, Upper, Middle, and Lower Egypt against each other. The former is the more probable meaning.

Sermons on Isaiah 19:2

	Sermon	Description
	(Education for Exultation) the Gideon Venture by John Piper	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Gideon from the Bible. Gideon is in a difficult situation, feeling weak and unsure of what to do. However, God arranges for Gide
	The Call of Gideon by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the story of Gideon from the book of Judges. Gideon was uncertain if God was really with him, so he asked for a sign. He put a fleece o
	Against All Odds by Alistair Begg	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Gideon from the book of Judges. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing our weakness and dependence on God. The speaker highl
	Hebrews 11:33-34 by Don McClure	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Gideon from the Bible. He emphasizes the battle that God has in our lives of bringing us to a place of obedience and building an
	The Prodigal Son by Keith Daniel	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate God's love for the lost. He asks the audience to put themselves in the shoes of a father whose
	Desperation, Resignation - Part 6 by Keith Daniel	This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God alone for healing, comfort, and faith, even in the face of cruelty and challenges. It shares the inspiring story of John Wesley
	The Profit Motive - Part 1 by Joshua Daniel	This sermon delves into the concept of the profit motive and the story of Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of pottage, highlighting the temptation to prioritize immediate gai