The Vision of Egypt

Isaiah 19

Isaiah sees the Lord coming to Egypt, causing its idols to tremble and its people to turn against one another in civil strife while their rivers and industries fail and their wise counselors are shown to be fools before a foreign conqueror. Yet the vision turns toward hope, foretelling a day when Egyptians will know the Lord, build him an altar, and be healed by him, joining together with Assyria and Israel as a blessing in the midst of the earth.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonBEHOLD, the Lord is seated on a swift cloud; and He will come into Egypt; and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence; and the heart of the people shall melt within them.

BrentonThe Vision of Egypt. Behold, the Lord sits on a swift cloud, and shall come to Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and their heart shall faint within them.

GreekἸδοὺ Κύριος κάθηται ἐπὶ νεφέλης κούφης, καὶ ἥξει εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ σεισθήσεται τὰ χειροποίητα Αἰγύπτου ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν ἡττηθήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς.

KJVThe burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

JPSThe burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, And cometh unto Egypt; And the idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence, And the heart of Egypt shall melt within it.

ThomsonAnd they shall be stirred up, Egyptians against Egyptians, and shall fight; brother against brother and neighbour against neighbour, city against city, and nome against nome.

BrentonAnd the Egyptians shall be stirred up against the Egyptians: and a man shall fight against his brother, and a man against his neighbour, city against city, and law against law.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπεγερθήσονται Αἰγύπτιοι ἐπʼ Αἰγυπτίους, καὶ πολεμήσει ἄνθρωπος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἄνθρωπος τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ, πόλις ἐπὶ πόλιν, καὶ νὸμος ἐπὶ νὸμον.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.

ThomsonAnd the spirit of the Egyptians shall be troubled within them: and I will dissipate their counsel; and they will consult their gods and their idols; and them who cause a voice to proceed from the ground, namely the trance-speakers.

BrentonAnd the spirit of the Egyptians shall be troubled within them; and I will frustrate their counsel: and they shall enquire of their gods and their images, and them that speak out of the earth, and them that have in them a divining spirit.

GreekΚαὶ ταραχθήσεται τὸ πνεῦμα τῶν Αἰγυπτίων ἐν αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὴν βουλὴν αὐτῶν διασκεδάσω, καὶ ἐπερωτήσουσι τοὺς θεοὺς αὐτῶν, καὶ τὰ ἀγάλματα αὐτῶν, καὶ τοὺς ἐκ τῆς γῆς φωνοῦντας, καὶ τοὺς ἐγγαστριμύθους.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAnd I will deliver Egypt into the hands of men—cruel lords; and fierce kings shall have dominion over them.

BrentonAnd I will deliver Egypt into the hands of men, of cruel lords; and cruel kings shall rule over them: thus saith the Lord of hosts.

GreekΚαὶ παραδώσω τὴν Αἴγυπτον εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, κυρίων σκληρῶν, καὶ βασιλεῖς σκληροὶ κυριεύσουσιν αὐτῶν. τάδε λέγει Κύριος σαβαώθ.

KJVAnd 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.

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

ThomsonThus saith the Lord of Hosts: The Egyptians drink water even that near the sea, but the river shall fail and be dried up—

BrentonAnd the Egyptians shall drink the water that is by the sea, but the river shall fail, and be dried up.

GreekΚαὶ πίονται οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι ὕδωρ τὸ παρὰ θάλασσαν, ὁ δὲ ποταμὸς ἐκλείψει, καὶ ξηρανθήσεται.

KJVAnd the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.

JPSAnd the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be drained dry,

Thomsonboth the streams and the canals of the river shall fail; and every collection of water shall be dried up, even every fen, where reeds and papyrus grow.

BrentonAnd the streams shall fail, and the canals of the river; and every reservoir of water shall be dried up, in every marsh also of reed and papyrus.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκλείψουσιν οἱ ποταμοὶ, καὶ αἱ διώρυχες τοῦ ποταμοῦ· καὶ ξηρανθήσεται πᾶσα συναγωγὴ ὕδατος, καὶ ἐν παντὶ ἕλει καλάμου καὶ παπύρου,

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAnd all the quick springing herbage which is around the river, and every thing which is sown by the river shall be dried up and withered by the wind.

BrentonAnd all the green herbage round about the river, and everything sown by the side of the river, shall be blasted with the wind and dried up.

Greekκαὶ τὸ ἄχι τὸ χλωρὸν πᾶν τὸ κύκλῳ τοῦ ποταμοῦ, καὶ πᾶν τὸ σπειρόμενον διὰ τοῦ ποταμοῦ ξηρανθήσεται ἀνεμόφθορον.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAnd the fishermen shall mourn—all who cast drags in the river shall mourn; and they who spread nets and they who are anglers shall grieve:

BrentonAnd the fishermen shall groan, and all that cast a hook into the river shall groan; they also that cast nets, and the anglers shall mourn.

GreekΚαὶ στενάξουσιν οἱ ἁλιεῖς, καὶ στενάξουσι πάντες οἱ βάλλοντες ἄγκιστρον εἰς τὸν ποταμὸν, καὶ οἱ βάλλοντες σαγήνας, καὶ οἱ ἀμφιβολεῖς πενθήσουσι·

KJVThe fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.

JPSThe fishers also shall lament, and all they that cast angle into the Nile shall mourn, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.

Thomsonand shame shall seize them who work the split flax, and them who work up the cotton.

BrentonAnd shame shall come upon them that work fine flax, and them that make fine linen.

GreekΚαὶ αἰσχύνη λήψεται τοὺς ἐργαζομένους τὸ λίνον τὸ σχιστὸν, καὶ τοὺς ἐργαζομένους τὴν βύσσον.

KJVMoreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonAnd they that work at them shall be in pain, and all that make beer shall be grieved, and be pained in their souls.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσονται οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι αὐτὰ ἐν ὀδύνῃ, καὶ πάντες οἱ ποιοῦντες τὸν ζῦθον λυπηθήσονται, καὶ τὰς ψυχὰς πονέσουσι.

KJV—

JPSAnd her foundations shall be crushed, All they that make dams shall be grieved in soul.

ThomsonThe princes of Tanis shall be fools, those wise counsellors of the king, their counsel shall be turned into folly. How can you say to the king, We are sons of wise men, sons of ancient kings?

BrentonAnd the princes of Tanis shall be fools: as for the king's wise counsellors, their counsel shall be turned into folly: how will ye say to the king, We are sons of wise men, sons of ancient kings?

GreekΚαὶ μωροὶ ἔσονται οἱ ἄρχοντες Τάνεως, οἱ σοφοὶ σύμβουλοι τοῦ βασιλέως, ἡ βουλὴ σὐτῶν μωρανθήσεται· πῶς ἐρεῖτε τῷ βασιλεῖ, υἱοὶ συνετῶν ἡμεῖς, υἱοὶ βασιλέων τῶν ἐξ ἀρχῆς;

KJVSurely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

JPSThe princes of Zoan are utter fools; the wisest counsellors of Pharaoh are a senseless counsel; How can ye say unto Pharaoh: ‘I am the son of the wise, The son of ancient kings’?.

ThomsonWhere now are these wise men of thine? Let them tell thee publicly and declare what the Lord of Hosts hath determined against Egypt.

BrentonWhere are now thy wise men? and let them declare to thee, and say, What has the Lord of hosts purposed upon Egypt?

GreekΠοῦ εἰσι νῦν οἱ σοφοί σου; καὶ ἀναγγειλάτωσάν σοι, καὶ εἰπάτωσαν, τί βεβούλευται Κύριος σαβαὼθ ἐπʼ Αἴγυπτον;

KJVWhere are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.

JPSWhere are they, then, thy wise men? And let them tell thee now; And let them know what the LORD of hosts Hath purposed concerning Egypt.

ThomsonThe princes of Tanis have failed; and the princes of Memphis are exalted, and they will lead Egypt astray, tribe by tribe.

BrentonThe princes of Tanis have failed, and the princes of Memphis are lifted up with pride, and they shall cause Egypt to wander by tribes.

GreekἘξέλιπον οἱ ἄρχοντες Τάνεως, καὶ ὑψώθησαν οἱ ἄρχοντες Μέμφεως, καὶ πλανήσουσιν Αἴγυπτον κατὰ φυλάς.

KJVThe 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.

JPSThe princes of Zoan are become fools, The princes of Noph are deceived; They have caused Egypt to go astray, That are the corner-stone of her tribes.

ThomsonFor the Lord hath mingled for them a spirit of error, and they with all their works have made Egypt reel, as a drunkard when he is vomiting.

BrentonFor the Lord has prepared for them a spirit of error, and they have caused Egypt to err in all their works, as one staggers who is drunken and vomits also.

GreekΚύριος γὰρ ἐκέρασεν αὐτοῖς πνεῦμα πλανήσεως, καὶ ἐπλάνησαν Αἴγυπτον ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτῶν, ὡς πλανᾶται ὁ μεθύων, καὶ ὁ ἐμῶν ἅμα,

KJVThe LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.

JPSThe LORD hath mingled within her A spirit of dizziness; And they have caused Egypt to stagger in every work thereof, As a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.

ThomsonSo that there shall be no work among the Egyptians, of which one can make head or tail, beginning or end:

BrentonAnd there shall be no work to the Egyptians, which shall make head or tail, or beginning or end.

Greekκαὶ οὐκ ἔσται τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις ἔργον ὃ ποιήσει κεφαλὴν καὶ οὐρὰν, καὶ ἀρχὴν καὶ τέλος.

KJVNeither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.

JPSNeither shall there be for Egypt any work, Which head or tail, palm-branch or rush, may do.

ThomsonAnd in that day the Egyptians shall be like women in fear and trembling because of the hand of the Lord of Hosts which He will lay upon them.

BrentonBut in that day the Egyptians shall be as women, in fear and in trembling because of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he shall bring upon them.

GreekΤῇ δὲ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἔσονται οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι, ὡς γυναῖκες, ἐν φόβῳ καὶ ἐν τρόμῳ ἀπὸ προσώπου τῆς χειρὸς Κυρίου σαβαὼθ, ἣν αὐτὸς ἐπιβαλεῖ αὐτοῖς.

KJVIn that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

JPSIn that day shall Egypt be like unto women; and it shall tremble and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which He shaketh over it.

ThomsonAnd the country of the Jews will be a terror to the Egyptians: when anyone shall mention it to them, they will be in terror, because of the counsel which the Lord of Hosts hath determined against it.

BrentonAnd the land of the Jews shall be for a terror to the Egyptians: whosoever shall name it to them, they shall fear, because of the counsel which the Lord of hosts has purposed concerning it.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ἡ χώρα τῶν Ἰουδαίων τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις εἰς φόβητρον· πᾶς ὃς ἐὰν ὀνομάσῃ αὐτὴν αὐτοῖς, φοβηθήσονται διὰ τὴν βουλὴν ἣν βεβούλευται Κύριος σαβαὼθ ἐπʼ αὐτήν.

KJVAnd the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it.

JPSAnd the land of Judah shall become a terror unto Egypt, whensoever one maketh mention thereof to it; it shall be afraid, because of the purpose of the LORD of hosts, which He purposeth against it.

ThomsonIn that day there shall be five cities in Egypt which shall speak the language of Chanaan, and swear by the name of the Lord of Hosts; and one of them shall be called the city of Asedek.

BrentonIn that day there shall be five cities in Egypt speaking the language of Chanaan, and swearing by the name of the Lord of hosts; one city shall be called the city of Asedec.

GreekΤῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἔσονται πέντε πόλεις ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ λαλοῦσαι τῇ γλώσσῃ τῇ Χαναανίτιδι, καὶ ὀμνῦντες τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου σαβαώθ· πόλις ἀσεδὲκ κληθήσεται ἡ μία πόλις.

KJVIn that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.

JPSIn that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called The city of destruction.

ThomsonAnd in that day there shall be an altar for the Lord in the country of the Egyptians, and at its boundary a pillar for the Lord,

BrentonIn that day there shall be an altar to the Lord in the land of the Egyptians, and a pillar to the Lord by its border.

GreekΤῇ ἡμερᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἔσται θυσιαστήριον τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐν χώρᾳ Αἰγυπτίων, καὶ στήλη πρὸς τὸ ὅριον αὐτῆς τῷ Κυρίῳ.

KJVIn that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.

JPSIn that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.

Thomsonand it shall be an everlasting sign for the Lord, in the country of Egypt. Because they will cry to the Lord on account of their oppressors, therefore He will send them a man who will save them: He will vindicate their cause and deliver them.

BrentonAnd it shall be for a sign to the Lord for ever in the land of Egypt: for they shall presently cry to the Lord by reason of them that afflict them, and he shall send them a man who shall save them; he shall judge and save them.

Greekκαὶ ἔσται εἰς σημεῖον εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα Κυρίῳ ἐν χώρᾳ Αἰγύπτου· ὅτι κεκράξονται πρὸς Κύριον διὰ τοὺς θλίβοντας αὐτούς, καὶ ἀποστελεῖ αὐτοῖς ἄνθρωπον ὃς σώσει αὐτοὺς, κρίνων σώσει αὐτούς.

KJVAnd it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.

JPSAnd it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and He will send them a saviour, and a defender, who will deliver them.

ThomsonAnd the Lord will be made known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will acknowledge the Lord in that day, and offer sacrifices and make vows to the Lord and perform them.

BrentonAnd the Lord shall be known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day; and they shall offer sacrifices, and shall vow vows to the Lord, and pay them.

GreekΚαὶ γνωστὸς ἔσται Κύριος τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις· καὶ γνώσονται οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι τὸν Κύριον ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ ποιήσουσι θυσίας, καὶ εὔξονται εὐχὰς τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ ἀποδώσουσι.

KJVAnd the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.

JPSAnd the LORD shall make Himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day; yea, they shall worship with sacrifice and offering, and shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and shall perform it.

ThomsonThus will the Lord smite the Egyptians and heal them, and they shall be turned to the Lord, and He will hearken to them and heal them.

BrentonAnd the Lord shall smite the Egyptians with a stroke, and shall completely heal them: and they shall return to the Lord, and he shall hear them, and thoroughly heal them.

GreekΚαὶ πατάξει Κύριος τοὺς Αἰγυπτίους πληγῇ, καὶ ἰάσεται αὐτοὺς ἰάσει, καὶ ἐπιστραφήσονται πρὸς Κύριον, καὶ εἰσακούσεται αὐτῶν, καὶ ἰάσεται αὐτοὺς ἰάσει.

KJVAnd the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.

JPSAnd the LORD will smite Egypt, smiting and healing; and they shall return unto the LORD, and He will be entreated of them, and will heal them.

ThomsonIn that day this will be the highway from Egypt to Assyria; and Assyrians will come to Egypt and Egyptians to Assyria; and the Egyptians shall serve the Assyrians.

BrentonIn that day there shall be a way from Egypt to the Assyrians, and the Assyrians shall enter into Egypt, and the Egyptians shall go to the Assyrians, and the Egyptians shall serve the Assyrians.

GreekΤῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἔσται ἡ ὁδὸς ἀπὸ Αἰγύπτου πρὸς Ἀσσυρίους, καὶ εἰσελεύσονται Ἀσσύριοι εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ Αἰγύπτιοι πορεύσονται πρὸς Ἀσσυρίους, καὶ δουλεύσουσιν Αἰγύπτιοι τοῖς Ἀσσυρίοις.

KJVIn that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.

JPSIn that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria; and the Egyptians shall worship with the Assyrians.

ThomsonIn that day Israel shall be a third, among the Egyptians and among the Assyrians, blessed in the land

BrentonIn that day shall Israel be third with the Egyptians and the Assyrians, blessed in the land which the Lord of hosts has blessed,

GreekΤῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἔσται Ἰσραὴλ τρίτος ἐν τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις, καὶ ἐν τοῖς Ἀσσυρίοις εὐλογημένος ἐν τῇ γῇ

KJVIn that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:

JPSIn that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth;

Thomsonwhich the Lord of Hosts hath blessed saying, Blessed is My people which is in Egypt, and which is in Assyria and Israel which is Mine inheritance.

Brentonsaying, Blessed be my people that is in Egypt, and that is among the Assyrians, and Israel mine inheritance.

Greekἣν εὐλόγησε Κύριος σαβαὼθ, λέγων, εὐλογημένος ὁ λαός μου ὁ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ, καὶ ὁ ἐν Ἀσσυρίοις, καὶ ἡ κληρονομία μου Ἰσραήλ.

KJVWhom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

JPSfor that the LORD of hosts hath blessed him, saying: ‘Blessed be Egypt My people and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance.’