Isaiah 19:10 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 19:10 mean?

Isaiah 19:10 says that those who depend on Egypt’s fishing industry and waterworks will be devastated, as their plans and livelihoods will be ruined. The verse pictures the collapse of a key part of Egypt’s economy, affecting everyone who works with fish ponds and irrigation channels.

Isaiah is speaking God’s message of judgment against Egypt, warning that even skilled workers and those who manage Egypt’s water resources will suffer. In the context of Isaiah 19, God is describing a time when Egypt’s usual sources of strength—its river, agriculture, and skilled labor—will fail, leaving the nation in distress.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 19:10

• "broken" (תָּרַע, tará): This word is often used for something shattered or destroyed, highlighting the total collapse of the workers’ plans and efforts.
• "purposes" (שֵׁת, shet): This can mean plans, foundations, or enterprises, suggesting not just physical things but the intentions and hopes of those involved.
• "sluices" (שַׂכֵּר, sáker): Refers to irrigation channels or waterworks, a reminder that Egypt’s prosperity depended heavily on managing the Nile’s water.
• "ponds" (אֲגַם, agam): These are artificial pools or reservoirs, especially for raising fish, showing the practical, everyday impact of the judgment.

Why Isaiah 19:10 matters

• Isaiah 19:10 shows that God’s judgment affects not just rulers but ordinary workers and entire industries, making the prophecy more concrete and relatable.
• The verse highlights how dependent Egypt was on its water systems and fishing, so the loss described here means a deep economic and social crisis.
• By mentioning specific trades and workers, Isaiah 19:10 connects the wider prophecy to real people’s lives, underlining the seriousness of the warning.