New International Version“I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian— brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
New Living Translation“I will make Egyptian fight against Egyptian— brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, province against province.
English Standard VersionAnd I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, each against another and each against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom;
Berean Standard Bible“So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James Version“I will set Egyptians against Egyptians; Everyone will fight against his brother, And everyone against his neighbor, City against city, kingdom against kingdom.
New American Standard Bible“So I will incite Egyptians against Egyptians; And they will fight, each against his brother and each against his neighbor, City against city and kingdom against kingdom.
NASB 1995“So I will incite Egyptians against Egyptians; And they will each fight against his brother and each against his neighbor, City against city and kingdom against kingdom.
NASB 1977“So I will incite Egyptians against Egyptians; And they will each fight against his brother, and each against his neighbor, City against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
Legacy Standard Bible“So I will incite Egyptians against Egyptians; And they will each fight against his brother and each against his neighbor, City against city and kingdom against kingdom.
Amplified Bible“So I will provoke Egyptians against Egyptians; And they will fight, each one against his brother and each one against his neighbor, City against city, kingdom against kingdom.
Christian Standard BibleI will provoke Egyptians against Egyptians; each will fight against his brother and each against his friend, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
Holman Christian Standard BibleI will provoke Egypt against Egypt; each will fight against his brother and each against his friend, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
American Standard VersionAnd 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.
Contemporary English Version"I will punish Egypt with civil war--neighbors, cities, and kingdoms will fight each other.
English Revised VersionAnd I will stir up 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.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"I will turn one Egyptian against another. They will fight- brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
Good News TranslationThe LORD says, "I will stir up civil war in Egypt and turn brother against brother and neighbor against neighbor. Rival cities will fight each other, and rival kings will struggle for power.
International Standard VersionI will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and everyone will fight against his brother, everyone against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
NET Bible"I will provoke civil strife in Egypt, brothers will fight with each other, as will neighbors, cities, and kingdoms.
New Heart English BibleI 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.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
World English BibleI 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I armed Egyptians against Egyptians, "" And they fought, each against his brother, "" And each against his neighbor, "" City against city, kingdom against kingdom.
Young's Literal Translation And I armed Egyptians against Egyptians, And they fought, each against his brother, And each against his neighbour, City against city, kingdom against kingdom.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd I aroused Egypt against Egypt, and they warred a man against his brother, and a man against his neighbor; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd 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.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd I will cause Egyptian to rush against Egyptian. And they will fight: a man against his brother, and a man against his friend, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
New American BibleI will stir up Egypt against Egypt: brother will war against brother, Neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
New Revised Standard VersionI will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, one against the other, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian; and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbor; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd I shall provoke Egyptian against Egyptian, and a man shall fight with his brother and a man with his neighbor, city with city and kingdom with kingdom OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And I will spur Egypt against Egypt; And they shall fight every one against his brother, And everyone against his neighbour; City against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the Egyptians shall be stirred up against the Egyptians: and a man shall fight against his brother, and a man against his neighbor, city against city, and law against law.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context An Oracle Concerning Egypt1This 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 inciteEgyptianagainst Egyptian;brotherwill fightagainst brother,neighboragainst neighbor,cityagainst city,and kingdomagainst 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.…
Cross References Matthew 10:21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.
Mark 13:12Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.
Luke 12:53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Micah 7:6For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
Ezekiel 38:21And 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.
Zechariah 14:13On that day a great panic from the LORD will come upon them, so that each will seize the hand of another, and the hand of one will rise against the other.
Judges 7:22And 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 Chronicles 20:23The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
Jeremiah 51:46Do not let your heart grow faint, and do not be afraid when the rumor is heard in the land; for a rumor will come one year—and then another the next year—of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.
Matthew 24:10At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,
Luke 21:16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.
1 Samuel 14:20Then 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.
2 Kings 3:23“This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!”
Isaiah 3:5The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.
Jeremiah 13:14I will smash them against one another, fathers and sons alike, declares the LORD. I will allow no mercy or pity or compassion to keep Me from destroying them.’”
Treasury of Scripture 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. I will Isaiah 19:13,14 The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt,even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof… Isaiah 9:21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh:and they togethershall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his handis stretched out still. Judges 7:22 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath,and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. set. Jump to Previous ArmedCityEgyptEgyptianEgyptiansFightFightingFoughtInciteKingdomNeighborNeighbourSpurStirJump to Next ArmedCityEgyptEgyptianEgyptiansFightFightingFoughtInciteKingdomNeighborNeighbourSpurStirIsaiah 19 1.The confusion of Egypt11.The foolishness of their princes18.The calling of Egypt into the church23.The covenant of Egypt, Assyria, and IsraelSo I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian;This phrase indicates a divine intervention where God Himself is the cause of internal strife within Egypt. Historically, Egypt was known for its internal divisions, especially during periods of weak central authority. This prophecy could be seen as a reflection of the political instability that plagued Egypt during various dynasties. Theologically, it underscores God's sovereignty over nations, as seen in other scriptures like Isaiah 45:7, where God declares His control over peace and calamity. This internal conflict can also be seen as a judgment against Egypt for its idolatry and oppression of Israel, reminiscent of the plagues in Exodus. brother will fight against brother,
This phrase emphasizes the depth of the civil strife, suggesting that familial bonds will be broken. It echoes the theme of division found in other biblical narratives, such as the story of Cain and Abel inGenesis 4. The breakdown of family unity is often portrayed in the Bible as a sign of moral and spiritual decay. This internal conflict can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual disunity that occurs when a nation turns away from God. neighbor against neighbor,
The conflict extends beyond family to the broader community, indicating widespread social chaos. This mirrors the social disintegration described in other prophetic books, such asMicah 7:6, where trust between neighbors is eroded. In the ancient Near East, community ties were crucial for survival, and their breakdown would lead to significant societal collapse. This serves as a warning of the consequences of abandoning divine principles. city against city,
The mention of cities suggests a larger scale of conflict, possibly indicating political or economic rivalries. In ancient Egypt, cities often had their own local deities and political interests, which could lead to competition and conflict. This phrase may also allude to the historical periods of division in Egypt, such as the First and Second Intermediate Periods, when central authority was weak, and regional powers vied for control. It highlights the instability that can arise when a nation is divided against itself. and kingdom against kingdom.
This escalation to kingdoms suggests a national or even international level of conflict. In the context of Isaiah's prophecy, it could refer to the various regions of Egypt, such as Upper and Lower Egypt, which were historically known to be in conflict. It also foreshadows the broader conflicts that would arise in the ancient world, as seen in the rise and fall of empires like Assyria and Babylon. This phrase can be connected to Jesus' prophecy inMatthew 24:7, where He speaks of wars and rumors of wars as signs of the end times, indicating that such conflicts are part of the broader narrative of human history under divine providence. Persons / Places / Events 1. EgyptiansThe inhabitants of Egypt, a significant nation in biblical history, often representing worldly power and opposition to God's people. 2. Brother against BrotherThis phrase indicates internal conflict and civil strife within a nation or community. 3. Neighbor against NeighborSuggests a breakdown of societal harmony and trust, leading to widespread discord. 4. City against CityRepresents division and conflict on a larger scale, affecting entire communities. 5. Kingdom against KingdomImplies political and national turmoil, possibly leading to war and instability. Teaching Points Divine Sovereignty in JudgmentGod is in control of nations and can use internal conflict as a form of judgment. Reflect on how God’s sovereignty is evident in the affairs of nations today. The Consequences of Sin and IdolatryInternal strife often results from turning away from God and embracing idolatry. Consider how personal and national sins can lead to division and chaos. The Importance of Unity and PeaceAs believers, we are called to be peacemakers and to strive for unity within our communities. Evaluate how you can promote peace and unity in your own relationships and community. Warnings and Signs of the TimesThe prophecy serves as a warning of the consequences of ignoring God’s commands. Be vigilant and discerning of the times, understanding the spiritual implications of current events. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 19:2?
2.How does Isaiah 19:2 illustrate God's sovereignty over national conflicts today?
3.What lessons on unity can we learn from "Egyptian against Egyptian"?
4.How does Isaiah 19:2 connect to Jesus' teachings on peace and division?
5.How can Christians promote peace in a divided society, based on Isaiah 19:2?
6.What role should prayer play when nations are in conflict, according to Isaiah 19:2?
7.What historical events might Isaiah 19:2 be referencing?
8.How does Isaiah 19:2 align with God's nature of peace and love?
9.Why would God allow Egyptians to fight against each other as stated in Isaiah 19:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 19?
11.Does Isaiah 19:1–4 align with known Egyptian history regarding civil strife and political upheaval?
12.1 Chronicles 20:5: Why does this text say Elhanan killed Goliath's brother, whereas 2 Samuel 21:19 seems to conflict about who killed Goliath?
13.Jeremiah 46:25-26 - How can we harmonize Jehovah's pronouncement of destruction on Egypt with other Scriptures that portray God's relationship with nations differently?
14.In Isaiah 52:7, is there any archaeological or historical proof supporting the notion that messengers proclaimed peace across the mountains?What Does Isaiah 19:2 Mean So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian• The Lord Himself says, “I will.” Divine agency, not mere political accident, lies behind the turmoil. Just as He “stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes” (Jeremiah 51:11) or “sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem” (Judges 9:23), He now moves within Egypt. • God’s judgment often takes the form of letting sin run its course; here He unleashes the nation’s own ambitions and suspicions. CompareExodus 12:12, where He judged Egypt’s gods, andIsaiah 10:5–6, where He wields Assyria “to seize the spoil.” • Historically, soon after Isaiah spoke, Egypt experienced repeated civil wars—lower against upper Egypt, Memphis against Sais, Delta princes vying for the throne—confirming the prophecy’s literal accuracy. Yet the wording also foreshadows future unrest that will plague every god-rejecting nation (Matthew 24:7).
Brother will fight against brother• The breakdown starts at the most intimate level. “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household” (Micah 7:6; echoed by Jesus inMatthew 10:21). • Civil conflict magnifies the tragedy of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:8). Egypt, famed for family loyalty, would see siblings draw swords. • When God withdraws restraint, even blood ties cannot hold society together (2 Samuel 12:10;James 3:16).
Neighbor against neighbor• Neighborhood bonds, vital for daily life and commerce, dissolve.Zechariah 7:10 warns, “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless… or plot evil in your hearts against one another.” Egypt ignores such counsel. • Social trust evaporates, mirroring the days when “no one could go about his daily business safely, for God had troubled them with every kind of distress” (2 Chronicles 15:5). •Romans 1:28–31 shows that when a people rejects God, “malice, strife, deceit” follow right down the street.
City against city• Larger alliances fracture. Walled centers once united by trade and religion now lay siege to one another, just as Israel’s tribes did inJudges 20. • Jesus later predicts, “There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains” (Mark 13:8). Isaiah’s picture of urban chaos forms an Old Testament backdrop to that warning. • Historically, Memphis, Tanis, and Thebes alternated between uneasy truces and open hostility, draining Egypt’s strength before foreign invaders arrived.
Kingdom against kingdom• The spiral reaches a national scale: petty realms inside Egypt, then Egypt versus surrounding powers.Isaiah 19:4 immediately speaks of “a fierce king” ruling over them—fulfilled when Assyria installed puppet dynasties. •2 Chronicles 15:6 notes a similar pattern: “Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress.” • Jesus copies Isaiah’s very phrase inMatthew 24:7 andLuke 21:10, signaling that such convulsions will mark the climax of history before His return.
SummaryIsaiah 19:2 presents a divinely initiated cascade of chaos—family, local, civic, and national bonds all shattering under God’s righteous judgment. The prophecy came to pass in Egypt’s civil wars and foreign subjugations, validating Scripture’s literal accuracy. It also offers a timeless warning: when a people turns from the Lord, discord multiplies from the living room to the throne room, yet God remains sovereign over every upheaval, steering history toward His ultimate redemptive plan. (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. Verse 2. - I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians. The disintegration of Egypt commenced about B.C. 760-750, towards the close of the twenty-second dynasty. About B.C. 735 a struggle began between Plan-khi, King of Upper Egypt, and Tafnekhf, King of Sais and Memphis, in which the other princes took different sides. Ten or twelve years later there was a struggle between Bocchoris and Sabaeo. From this time onwards, until Psamatik I. reestablished the unity of Egypt (about B.C. 650), the country was always more or less divided, and on the occurrence of any crisis the princes were apt to make war one up, n another. Kingdom against kingdom. During the period of disintegration, the title of" king" was assumed by most of the potty princes, though they were little more than chiefs of cities (see 'Records of the Past,' vol. 2. p. 100; G. Smith, 'History of Asshur-bani-pal,' pp. 20-22).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew “So I will inciteוְסִכְסַכְתִּ֤י(wə·siḵ·saḵ·tî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5526:To entwine as a, screen, to fence in, cover over, protectEgyptianמִצְרַ֙יִם֙(miṣ·ra·yim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africaagainst Egyptian;בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם(bə·miṣ·ra·yim)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa[brother]אִישׁ־(’îš-)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personwill fightוְנִלְחֲמ֥וּ(wə·nil·ḥă·mū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3898:To feed on, to consume, to battleagainst brother,בְּאָחִ֖יו(bə·’ā·ḥîw)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251:A brother, )[neighbor]וְאִ֣ישׁ(wə·’îš)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personagainst neighbor,בְּרֵעֵ֑הוּ(bə·rê·‘ê·hū)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453:Friend, companion, fellowcityעִ֣יר(‘îr)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892:Excitementagainst city,בְּעִ֔יר(bə·‘îr)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892:Excitement[and] kingdomמַמְלָכָ֖ה(mam·lā·ḵāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4467:Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reignagainst kingdom.בְּמַמְלָכָֽה׃(bə·mam·lā·ḵāh)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4467:Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 19:2 I will stir up the Egyptians against (Isa Isi Is) |
