The waters of the Nile will dry upThis phrase signifies a divine judgment upon Egypt, as the Nile River was the lifeblood of the nation, essential for agriculture, transportation, and daily sustenance. Historically, the Nile's annual flooding deposited fertile silt on the land, making Egypt one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the ancient world. The drying up of the Nile would symbolize a catastrophic event leading to economic and social collapse. Biblically, this can be seen as a fulfillment of God's judgment against nations that opposed His people, similar to the plagues in Exodus. Theologically, it underscores God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to control natural elements to fulfill His purposes.
and the riverbed will be parched and empty
This imagery of a parched and empty riverbed emphasizes the severity of the judgment. In the ancient Near East, water was a symbol of life and prosperity, and its absence would lead to desolation and death. The drying of the riverbed could also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness, reflecting a nation devoid of divine blessing. This connects to other scriptural themes where God uses drought as a form of judgment, such as in the time of Elijah (1 Kings 17). It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and renewal of creation, where physical and spiritual restoration will occur through Christ, who offers living water (John 4:10-14).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied during the reigns of several kings of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope.
2.
EgyptA significant nation in biblical history, often seen as a symbol of worldly power and idolatry. In
Isaiah 19, Egypt is the subject of a prophecy concerning its future downfall and eventual redemption.
3.
The Nile RiverThe Nile is the longest river in the world and was the lifeblood of ancient Egypt, providing water, transportation, and fertile soil. Its drying up symbolizes a catastrophic event for Egypt.
4.
Prophecy of JudgmentIsaiah 19 contains a prophecy of judgment against Egypt, indicating a time when its resources and power will be diminished.
5.
Divine InterventionThe drying up of the Nile is an act of divine intervention, demonstrating God's sovereignty over nature and nations.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over NatureThe drying up of the Nile illustrates God's control over creation. Believers can trust in God's power to intervene in the natural world according to His purposes.
Judgment as a Call to RepentanceThe prophecy serves as a warning to Egypt and a call to repentance. Similarly, God's judgments today are opportunities for individuals and nations to turn back to Him.
Dependence on God, Not ResourcesEgypt's reliance on the Nile highlights the danger of depending on worldly resources. Christians are reminded to place their trust in God rather than material wealth or natural resources.
Hope Beyond JudgmentWhile
Isaiah 19 begins with judgment, it ends with a vision of Egypt's redemption. This teaches that God's ultimate desire is restoration and reconciliation.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 19:5?
2.How does Isaiah 19:5 illustrate God's control over natural resources?
3.What lessons can we learn from the drying up of the Nile?
4.How does Isaiah 19:5 connect to God's judgment in Exodus?
5.How can we trust God when facing environmental or economic challenges today?
6.What actions should Christians take when witnessing God's power over nature?
7.How does Isaiah 19:5 relate to historical events in Egypt's history?
8.What is the significance of the Nile drying up in Isaiah 19:5?
9.Does Isaiah 19:5 have a symbolic meaning beyond its literal interpretation?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 19?
11.In Isaiah 19:5–7, is there any historical or scientific evidence of the Nile drying up to the extent described?
12.Who is Joshua the High Priest in Zechariah?
13.In Job 6:15–17, is the depiction of streams that vanish into heat historically or archaeologically supported in the relevant region?
14.In Isaiah 31:5, the idea of God defending Jerusalem 'like birds hovering' seems miraculous--where is the historical or archaeological proof that such protection ever occurred?What Does Isaiah 19:5 Mean
The waters of the Nile• The verse begins by spotlighting “the waters of the Nile,” Egypt’s lifeline for food, travel, commerce, and national pride (Genesis 41:1-3;Jeremiah 46:7-8).
• Scripture often ties Egypt’s confidence to this river (Ezekiel 29:3). By naming it first, God identifies the very source of the nation’s strength.
• When God touches the Nile, He is declaring that no earthly resource is beyond His reach (Exodus 7:17-21).
will dry up• The words are literal: God promises an actual drying of the river, a supernatural judgment that only He can bring about (Ezekiel 30:12;Zechariah 10:11).
• Drying a river that normally overflows sends a clear message—Egypt’s might evaporates the moment God withdraws His sustaining hand.
• This action also echoes earlier judgments, reminding every generation that the Lord remains the same, wielding absolute control over creation (Isaiah 44:27).
and the riverbed• Mentioning the riverbed shifts the picture from surface water to what lies beneath. Even the hidden channels will feel the impact.
• A cracked, empty channel exposes how hollow Egypt’s self-reliance really is, fulfillingJob 12:15: “If He withholds the rain, they dry up.”
• The detail shows that God judges thoroughly—nothing is left half-done when He acts.
will be parched and empty• “Parched and empty” underscores total desolation: no moisture, no life, no hope of quick recovery (Psalm 107:33;Isaiah 42:15).
• A parched riverbed also pictures future, end-time judgments when great rivers again run dry to pave the way for God’s purposes (Revelation 16:12).
• For the believer, the phrase warns against placing trust in any earthly supply, calling us instead to rely wholly on the Lord who “turns deserts into springs” (Isaiah 41:18).
summaryIsaiah 19:5 delivers a literal prophecy of God’s judgment on Egypt: the once-mighty Nile will dry up from surface to streambed, leaving a scorched, empty channel. By targeting the river that defined Egypt’s economy and security, God proves He alone sustains nations, humbles pride, and holds absolute authority over His creation.
(5)
The waters shall fail from the sea.--The "sea," like the river, is, of course, the Nile (Homer calls it
Oceanus)
,or, possibly, indicates specially the Pelusiac branch of the river. So the White and Blue Niles are respectively the White and Blue Seas (
Bahr)
.The words that follow seem to describe partly the result of the failure of the annual rising of the Nile, partly of the neglect of the appliances of irrigation caused by the anarchy implied in
Isaiah 19:2 (Herod. ii. 137).
Verse 5 -
The waters shall fail from the sea. By "the sea" it is generally allowed that the Nile must be meant, as in
Isaiah 18:2 and
Nahum 3:8. The failure might be caused by deficient rains in Abyssinia and Equatorial Africa, producing an insufficient inundation. It might be aggravated by the neglect of dykes and canals, which would be the natural consequence of civil disorders (see Canon Cook's 'Inscription of Piankhi,' p. 14).
Wasted and dried up; rather,
parched and dried up. Allowance must be made for Oriental hyperbole. The meaning is only that there shall be a great deficiency in the water supply. Such a deficiency has often been the cause of terrible famines in Egypt.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The watersמַ֖יִם(ma·yim)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325:Water, juice, urine, semenof the [Nile]מֵֽהַיָּ֑ם(mê·hay·yām)Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220:A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basinwill dry up,וְיָבֵֽשׁ׃(wə·yā·ḇêš)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5405:To eliminate, to dry upand the riverbedוְנָהָ֖ר(wə·nā·hār)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5104:A stream, prosperitywill be parchedיֶחֱרַ֥ב(ye·ḥĕ·raḇ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2717:To parch, to desolate, destroy, killand empty.וְנִשְּׁתוּ־(wə·niš·šə·ṯū-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3001:To be ashamed, confused, disappointed, to dry up, wither
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 19:5 The waters will fail from the sea (Isa Isi Is) 
