Isaiah 19:20

ESV It will be a sign and a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the Lord because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them.

NIV It will be a sign and witness to the Lord Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them.

NASB And it will become a sign and a witness to the Lord of armies in the land of Egypt; for they will cry out to the Lord because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Champion, and He will save them.

CSB It will be a sign and witness to the Lord of Armies in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and leader, and he will rescue them.

NLT It will be a sign and a witness that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is worshiped in the land of Egypt. When the people cry to the Lord for help against those who oppress them, he will send them a savior who will rescue them.

KJV And 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.

NKJV And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.

What does Isaiah 19:20 mean?

This chapter began with an oracle against Egypt describing God's dismantling of the nation piece by piece in His judgment against them (Isaiah 19:1–15). The prophet Isaiah follows this by looking into the future and showing that in the day of the Lord the people of Egypt will both recognize the Lord's power and repent before Him (Isaiah 19:16–18). Egypt will reject their gods and will swear allegiance to the Lord God of Israel.

Now, Isaiah describes a relationship between God and Egypt like His relationship with Israel. The people will create open, public displays of their dependence on the One True God (Isaiah 19:19). Egypt will cry out to the Lord when they are attacked or oppressed by their enemies. Just as the Lord did for Israel during the time of the judges, he will send a defender to rescue them.

The Lord responds to the cries of repentant people who trust in Him in this and every season.

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Context Summary
Isaiah 19:16–25 presents a sudden change in tone. It follows an oracle of judgment against Egypt with a promise of future blessing from the Lord. This seems to take place during the kingdom of the Messiah on earth (Isaiah 2:1–5; Revelation 20:1–4). Egypt will fear the Lord and repent and worship Him alone. God will bless them, rescue them, and call them His people. Egypt will become peaceful allies with Assyria, and the Assyrians will worship the Lord, as well. Together, Egypt, Assyria, and Israel will bless the earth and be blessed by the Lord.

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Chapter Summary
Isaiah's oracle describes the Lord's coming judgment on Egypt. The idols will fear when God arrives, and the people will turn on each other. A fierce king will conquer them. The Nile River will dry up, leaving many destitute. The advisors serving Egypt's leaders will be revealed as confused fools. Far in the future, Egypt will recognize Israel's God and repent, turning to worship the Lord. Assyria will join in that worship, blessing the earth along with Egypt and Israel.

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