Isaiah 19:4

Isaiah 19:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

I will deliver the Egyptians into the hands of harsh masters, and a fierce king will rule over them,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

And I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And I will give the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel lord; and a hard king will be their ruler, says the Lord, the Lord of armies.

Free Bible Version FBV

I will hand the Egyptians over to a harsh dictator. A cruel king will rule over them, declares the Lord.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And I will deliuer the Egyptians into the hand of the cruell Lordes, and a mightie King shall rule ouer them, sayth the Lord God of hostes.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And I have delivered the Egyptians Into the hand of a hard lord, And a strong king doth rule over them, An affirmation of the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts.

World English Bible WEB

I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel lord. A fierce king will rule over them,” says the Lord, GOD of Armies.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And I will deliver Egypt into the hand of cruel masters, and a strong king shall rule over them, saith the Lord the God of hosts.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then I will enable someone who will treat them very cruelly to become their king [DOU].” That is what I, the Commander of the armies of angels, say.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 19:4

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 19:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/סִכַּרְתִּי֙ אֶת מִצְרַ֔יִם בְּ/יַ֖ד אֲדֹנִ֣ים קָשֶׁ֑ה וּ/מֶ֤לֶךְ עַז֙ יִמְשָׁל בָּ֔/ם נְאֻ֥ם הָ/אָד֖וֹן יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת

וְ/סִכַּרְתִּי֙ çâkar H5534 to stop Conj | V-Piel-1cs

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

מִצְרַ֔יִם Mitsrayim H4714 Egypt N-proper

בְּ/יַ֖ד yâd H3027 hand Prep | N-cs

אֲדֹנִ֣ים ʼâdôwn H113 lord N-mp

קָשֶׁ֑ה qâsheh H7186 severe Adj

וּ/מֶ֤לֶךְ melek H4428 King's Conj | N-ms

עַז֙ ʻaz H5794 strong Adj

יִמְשָׁל mâshal H4910 to rule V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

בָּ֔/ם Prep | Suff

נְאֻ֥ם nᵉʼum H5002 utterance N-ms

הָ/אָד֖וֹן ʼâdôwn H113 lord Art | N-ms

יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

צְבָאֽוֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 army N-cp

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 19:4

וְ/סִכַּרְתִּי֙ çâkar H5534 "to stop" Conj | V-Piel-1cs

This word means to stop or shut something up, like a gate or a mouth. It can also imply surrender, like giving up in battle. In the Bible, it is used to describe stopping an action or giving something over to someone.

Definition: 1) to shut up, stop up 1a) (Niphal) to be stopped, be shut up 1b) (Piel) to shut up, give over

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: stop, give over. See also H5462 (סָגַר), H7936 (שָׂכַר). See also: Genesis 8:2; Psalms 63:12; Isaiah 19:4.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

מִצְרַ֔יִם 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/יַ֖ד yâd H3027 "hand" Prep | N-cs

In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.

Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.

אֲדֹנִ֣ים ʼâdôwn H113 "lord" N-mp

The Hebrew word ʼâdôwn refers to a lord or master, and can be used to describe human leaders or God. It emphasizes the person's power and control over others or things, and is often translated as lord or master.

Definition: 1) firm, strong, lord, master 1a) lord, master 1a1) reference to men 1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs 1a1b) master 1a1c) king 1a2) reference to God 1a2a) the Lord God 1a2b) Lord of the whole earth 1b) lords, kings 1b1) reference to men 1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria 1b1b) master 1b1c) husband 1b1d) prophet 1b1e) governor 1b1f) prince 1b1g) king 1b2) reference to God 1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh") 1c) my lord, my master 1c1) reference to men 1c1a) master 1c1b) husband 1c1c) prophet 1c1d) prince 1c1e) king 1c1f) father 1c1g) Moses 1c1h) priest 1c1i) theophanic angel 1c1j) captain 1c1k) general recognition of superiority 1c2) reference to God 1c2a) my Lord, my Lord and my God 1c2b) Adonai (parallel with Yahweh)

Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. See also: Genesis 18:3; 1 Samuel 25:30; 2 Kings 6:5.

קָשֶׁ֑ה qâsheh H7186 "severe" Adj

This word describes something or someone as severe or cruel, like the harsh treatment of the Israelites by their enemies in Judges.

Definition: 1) hard, cruel, severe, obstinate 1a) hard, difficult 1b) severe 1c) fierce, intense, vehement 1d) stubborn, stiff of neck, stiff-necked 1e) rigorous (of battle)

Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: churlish, cruel, grievous, hard((-hearted), thing), heavy, [phrase] impudent, obstinate, prevailed, rough(-ly), sore, sorrowful, stiff(necked), stubborn, [phrase] in trouble. See also: Genesis 42:7; 2 Samuel 2:17; Psalms 60:5.

וּ/מֶ֤לֶךְ melek H4428 "King's" Conj | N-ms

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

עַז֙ ʻaz H5794 "strong" Adj

Means strong or fierce, used to describe powerful forces or intense emotions in the Bible, like greedy desires or mighty powers.

Definition: strong, mighty, fierce

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: fierce, [phrase] greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong. See also: Genesis 49:3; Proverbs 18:23; Psalms 18:18.

יִמְשָׁל mâshal H4910 "to rule" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

To rule means to have power over something or someone, like a king ruling his kingdom, as seen in 1 Samuel. It involves having control and making decisions, like a leader guiding their people. In the Bible, God rules over all things.

Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, reign 1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to rule 1b2) to exercise dominion

Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power. See also: Genesis 1:18; Proverbs 16:32; Psalms 8:7.

בָּ֔/ם "" Prep | Suff

נְאֻ֥ם nᵉʼum H5002 "utterance" N-ms

This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.

Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)

Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.

הָ/אָד֖וֹן ʼâdôwn H113 "lord" Art | N-ms

Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. See also: Genesis 18:3; 1 Samuel 25:30; 2 Kings 6:5.

יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

צְבָאֽוֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 "army" N-cp

This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.

Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service

Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.

Study Notes — Isaiah 19:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 19:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 19:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 19:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 19:4
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 19:4
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 19:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 19:4
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 19:4
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 19:4
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 19:4
Sermons on Isaiah 19:4

Context — The Burden against Egypt

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.

5The waters of the Nile will dry up, and the riverbed will be parched and empty. 6The canals will stink; the streams of Egypt will trickle and dry up; the reeds and rushes will wither.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 20:4	so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.
2	Jeremiah 46:26	I will deliver them into the hands of those who seek their lives—of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. But after this, Egypt will be inhabited as in days of old, declares the LORD.
3	Ezekiel 29:19	Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will carry off its wealth, seize its spoil, and remove its plunder. This will be the wages for his army.
4	Isaiah 19:2	“So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
5	Psalms 31:8	You have not delivered me to the enemy; You have set my feet in the open.
6	1 Samuel 23:7	When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.”

Isaiah 19:4 Summary

This verse means that God is in control of all nations, including Egypt, and will allow them to be ruled by leaders who may be harsh or unfair. This can be scary, but it's also a reminder that God is sovereign and can use any circumstance to bring people to Himself, as we see in Romans 8:28. Just like the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, we can trust that God will ultimately deliver all people who put their faith in Him, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14 and John 10:9.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for the Egyptians to be delivered into the hands of harsh masters?

This means that God will allow the Egyptians to be ruled by cruel and oppressive leaders, much like the Israelites were under Pharaoh in the book of Exodus, as seen in Exodus 1:14 and Exodus 3:7.

Who is the fierce king mentioned in this verse?

The fierce king is not specified in this verse, but it could refer to a future leader who will rule over Egypt with great power and severity, similar to the kings mentioned in Daniel 11:3-4 and Isaiah 10:5-6.

Is this verse still relevant today?

Yes, this verse is still relevant today as it speaks to God's sovereignty over all nations, including Egypt, and His ability to raise up or bring down leaders as He sees fit, as seen in Romans 13:1-2 and Psalm 75:7.

How does this verse relate to God's plan of salvation?

This verse is part of a larger narrative of God's judgment and redemption, as seen in Isaiah 19:1-25, and points to the ultimate deliverance of all people through faith in Jesus Christ, as seen in John 3:16 and Romans 10:9-10.

Reflection Questions

What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship with nations?
How does this verse make you think about the role of leadership and authority in our world today?
What does it mean for you personally to trust in God's sovereignty, even when leaders or circumstances seem harsh or unfair?
How can you pray for leaders and nations, including Egypt, in light of this verse and God's desire for all people to come to know Him?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 19:4

And the Egyptians will I give over into the hands of a cruel lord,.... Not of Sennacherib king of Assyria, which way go many interpreters, both Christian and Jewish, as Aben Ezra, Jarchi, and Kimchi;

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 19:4

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. The Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord - Sargon.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 19:4

A fierce king; either, 1. The king of Assyria or Chaldea; or, 2. Those twelve petty kings, the singular number being put for the plural; or, 3. Psammetichus, who being at first one of those twelve kings, waged war with the rest, and subdued them, and conquered all the land of Egypt, and ruled it with rigour.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 19:4

Isaiah 19:4 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.Ver. 4. And the Egyptians will I give over.] Heb., Shut up - sc., as fishes in a pond. Into the hand of a cruel lord.] Heb., Lords - viz., those twelve tyrants that reigned after Sethon, and were put down by Psammeticus, one of their own number, who afterwards reigned alone and with rigour. And a fierce king,] viz., Psammeticus, the father of that Pharaohnecho who slew Josiah. This fierce king reigned fifty-four years, and by his harshness caused 200,000 of his men of war to leave him, and to go into Ethiopia. Herodot.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 19:4

(4) Into the hand of a cruel lord.—The later history of Egypt presents so many pictures of oppressive government, that it is hard to say to which of them the picture thus drawn bears most resemblance. Sargon, or Esarhaddon, or Psammetichus, who became king of Egypt on the breaking up of the dodecarchy, or Nebuchadnezzar, or Cambyses, has, each in his turn, been identified as presenting the features of the “cruel lord.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 19:4

Verse 4. A cruel lord - "Cruel lords"] Nebuchadnezzar in the first place, and afterwards the whole succession of Persian kings, who in general were hard masters, and grievously oppressed the country. Note, that for קשה kasheh, lord, a MS. reads קשים kashim, lords, agreeable to which is the rendering of the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 19:4

4. R.V. And I will give over (lit. “shut up”) the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel (“hard”) lord (in Hebr. plur. of majesty), &c. The words suggest a foreign ruler and are quite applicable to any Assyrian monarch likely to undertake the conquest of Egypt. Esarhaddon in 672 and again Asshurbanipal in 662 ravaged the country as far as Thebes; the Empire was broken up into twenty petty principalities, and all attempts at revolt were sternly suppressed until 645, when Psammetichus, one of the native princes, succeeded in shaking off the Assyrian yoke and uniting Egypt under his own sway. the Lord, the Lord of hosts] here, as always, in confirmation of a threat. See on Isaiah 1:24.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 19:4

And the Egyptians - The Egyptian nation; the entire people, though divided into factions and contending with each other.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 19:4

4. A fierce king — Rather, a strong, powerful king, but such as proved a cruel master.

Sermons on Isaiah 19:4

	Sermon	Description
	Are You a Vital Christian by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, Dr. Helen Redpath focuses on the importance of being a vital Christian. She begins by emphasizing the need to give all glory to God and to exalt Him above our own p
	Joshua 23:14 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes the faithfulness of God as Joshua addresses the Israelites in his old age, reminding them that they know in their hearts the truth of God's promises. He high
	Eternal Inheritance by Joshua Daniel	Joshua Daniel preaches on the eternal inheritance promised to believers in 2 Corinthians 5:1, emphasizing the confidence and assurance we have in God's heavenly dwelling. He challe

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