In that dayThis phrase often signifies a future time of divine intervention or fulfillment of prophecy. It points to a specific period when God will act decisively. In the context of Isaiah, it often refers to the Messianic age or a time of judgment and restoration.
there will be an altar to the LORD
An altar signifies worship and sacrifice, central to the Hebrew faith. The presence of an altar in Egypt suggests a significant shift where Egyptians will acknowledge and worship the God of Israel. This is a remarkable prophecy, considering Egypt's historical role as an oppressor of Israel and its polytheistic traditions.
in the center of the land of Egypt
The central location implies that the worship of the LORD will be widespread and not confined to the peripheries. It suggests a transformation within Egypt, where the worship of the true God becomes central to its identity. This could symbolize the heart of Egypt turning towards God.
and a pillar to the LORD near her border
Pillars were often used as memorials or markers of significant events or covenants. A pillar at the border signifies a public declaration of allegiance to the LORD, visible to all entering or leaving the land. It represents a boundary of faith, marking Egypt as a nation that acknowledges the God of Israel.
This prophecy connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's plan for all nations to come to know Him, as seen in passages likeIsaiah 2:2-4 andZechariah 14:16-19. It also foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant through Christ, as seen in the New Testament.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
EgyptA significant nation in biblical history, often representing both a place of refuge and a symbol of oppression for the Israelites. In this context, Egypt is depicted as a future place of worship for the LORD.
2.
Altar to the LORDRepresents a place of worship and sacrifice, signifying a turning of the Egyptian people towards the God of Israel.
3.
Pillar to the LORDA monument or marker that signifies the presence and acknowledgment of the LORD, serving as a witness to the transformation within Egypt.
4.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises.
5.
In that dayA prophetic phrase often used in the Bible to denote a future time of divine intervention or fulfillment of God's promises.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod is not limited to Israel; His plan includes all nations, demonstrating His universal sovereignty and desire for all to know Him.
Transformation and RedemptionThe prophecy of an altar in Egypt signifies hope and transformation, showing that no nation or person is beyond God's redemptive power.
Witness and TestimonyThe pillar at Egypt's border serves as a reminder of the importance of public testimony and acknowledgment of God's work in our lives.
Prophetic FulfillmentThis passage encourages believers to trust in God's promises, knowing that His word will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.
Unity in WorshipThe vision of Egypt worshiping the LORD points to a future unity among diverse peoples, united in worship of the one true God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 19:19?
2.How does Isaiah 19:19 demonstrate God's sovereignty over all nations?
3.What is the significance of an "altar to the LORD" in Egypt?
4.How can Isaiah 19:19 inspire modern believers to witness in foreign lands?
5.Connect Isaiah 19:19 with other scriptures about God's presence among Gentiles.
6.How can we apply Isaiah 19:19 to our personal worship practices today?
7.What is the significance of the altar mentioned in Isaiah 19:19 for Egypt's future?
8.How does Isaiah 19:19 relate to God's plan for nations outside Israel?
9.Why is an altar to the LORD built in Egypt according to Isaiah 19:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 19?
11.Why does Isaiah 19’s prophecy differ from other prophetic passages about Egypt (e.g., Ezekiel 29) if they both claim divine judgment?
12.Can the miraculous elements in Isaiah 19:16-25 be reconciled with modern historical or scientific understanding?
13.How do the references in Isaiah 19:13-14 to 'confusion' and 'drunkenness' align with archaeological or historical accounts of Egyptian culture?
14.Does Isaiah 19:1-4 align with known Egyptian history regarding civil strife and political upheaval?What Does Isaiah 19:19 Mean
In that day• The phrase signals a specific, future moment when God personally intervenes.
• Isaiah often uses it to point to the climax of His redemptive plan (Isaiah 2:11; 11:10; 12:1).
• Here it links Egypt’s story to the broader “day” when nations stream to the LORD (Zechariah 14:9;Revelation 15:3–4).
there will be an altar to the LORD• An altar embodies worship, sacrifice, and covenant loyalty (Genesis 12:7–8;Exodus 20:24).
• God promises that genuine, acceptable worship will rise from Egypt itself—once a land of idolatry (Isaiah 19:1).
• The verse anticipates the inclusion of Gentiles in true devotion, echoing “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7;Malachi 1:11).
in the heart of Egypt• “Heart” (center) stresses that this worship is not peripheral but embedded deep within the nation.
• God is claiming space once reserved for false gods (Jeremiah 46:25).
•Psalm 68:31 foresees “Cush will stretch out her hands to God,” aligning with Egypt’s coming submission.
and a pillar to the LORD• Pillars served as lasting testimonies to divine encounters (Genesis 28:18;Joshua 4:20–24).
• This pillar stands as a visible reminder that Egypt has embraced the LORD, answering the cry of 19:20.
• Similar imagery appears inZechariah 6:13 where a memorial honors the Messianic King-Priest.
at its border• Placing the pillar on the border broadcasts Egypt’s new allegiance to travelers and neighboring nations (1 Kings 8:41–43).
• Borders often marked covenant boundaries (Exodus 24:4;Ezekiel 47:13–14); here, Egypt’s frontier proclaims the LORD’s reign.
• Together, altar and pillar bookend the land—heart and edge—signaling comprehensive transformation.
summaryIsaiah 19:19 pictures a miraculous future when Egypt, once hostile to Israel’s God, builds both an altar at its core and a memorial pillar on its frontier. These structures declare nationwide repentance and wholehearted worship. The prophecy assures believers that God’s saving reach extends to the ends of the earth, fulfilling His promise to gather every nation into the joy of knowing and honoring Him.
(19)
In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord . . .--The words naturally tended to bring about their own fulfilment, as related in the preceding note. From the prophet's own stand-point, however, the altar was probably thought of, not as the centre of a rival worship, but, like that erected by the trans-Jordanic tribes in the time of Joshua, as an altar of "witness" (
Joshua 22:27), and the words that follow supply a distinct confirmation of this view. Substantially the prophet saw in the distant future a time in which the connection between Judah and Egypt should be one influencing the latter for good, and not the former for evil. The admission of Egyptian and Ethiopian proselytes, already referred to, was as the first fruits of such an influence. It may not be without interest to note some of its later workings. (1) In the time of Manasseh, who gave to his son Amon a name singularly Egyptian in its sound, a body of Jewish settlers were invited by Psammetichus to station themselves on the frontiers of Upper Egypt ("Pseudo-Aristeas," in Hudson's
Josephus)
.(2) Under Ptolemy I. large numbers of Jewish emigrants fixed themselves at Alexandria, with full toleration of their faith and worship. (3) Under Ptolemy Philadelphus the intercourse between the Palestinians and Egyptians led to the translation of the Old Testament Scriptures known as the LXX., and this was followed by the growth of a Hellenistic or a Graeco-Jewish literature, of which we have the remains in the Apocrypha and in Philo. (4) There was the erection of the Leontopolis Temple, already spoken of, and this was followed by that of numerous synagogues, perhaps also of monasteries for communities of Jewish ascetics of the Essene type, such as that which Philo describes under the name of the
Thera-p?ut?(Euseb.
H.E. ii. 17).
A pillar at the border thereof . . .--The pillar was the familiar obelisk of the Egyptians, commonly associated with the worship of the sun. The point of Isaiah's prediction was that the symbol should be rescued from its idolatrous uses, and stand on the border-land of Egypt and of Judah, as a witness that Jehovah, the Lord of hosts, was worshipped in both countries.
Verse 19. -
There shall be an altar to the Lord. An altar to the Lord was undoubtedly erected by Onias in the temple which he obtained leave to build from Ptolemy Philometor. Josephus says that he persuaded Ptolemy by showing him this passage of Isaiah ('Ant. Jud.,' 13:3; 'Bell. Jud.,' 7:10).
And a pillar at the border thereof. It is not clear that any "pillar" was ever actually erected. The erection of pillars for religious purposes was forbidden by the Law (
Deuteronomy 16:22). But this would be a pillar of witness (
Genesis 31:52), and would mark that the land was Jehovah's. Dr. Kay suggests that "the Jewish synagogue first, and afterwards the Christian Church at Alexandria, standing like a lofty obelisk, with the name of Jehovah inscribed upon it, at the entrance of Egypt," sufficiently fulfilled the prophecy.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
In thatהַה֗וּא(ha·hū)Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, aredayבַּיּ֣וֹם(bay·yō·wm)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A daythere will beיִֽהְיֶ֤ה(yih·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bean altarמִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙(miz·bê·aḥ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196:An altarto the LORDלַֽיהוָ֔ה(Yah·weh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelin the centerבְּת֖וֹךְ(bə·ṯō·wḵ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432:A bisection, the centreof the landאֶ֣רֶץ(’e·reṣ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776:Earth, landof Egypt,מִצְרָ֑יִם(miṣ·rā·yim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africaand a pillarוּמַצֵּבָ֥ה(ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4676:Something stationed, a column, an idolto the LORDלַֽיהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelnearאֵֽצֶל־(’ê·ṣel-)Preposition
Strong's 681:A joining together, proximityher border.גְּבוּלָ֖הּ(gə·ḇū·lāh)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1366:A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 19:19 In that day there will be (Isa Isi Is) 
