In 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.

ISAIAH 19:16KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 19:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 19:16 mean?

Isaiah 19:16 describes a time when Egypt, a powerful nation, will be overcome by fear at the LORD’s action against it. The verse presents Egypt’s fear as a response to the LORD of hosts, whose power is greater than Egypt’s.

The picture of the LORD shaking his hand over Egypt suggests a threatening gesture. The comparison to women uses an ancient image of vulnerability in a time of danger; it reflects the expectations of Isaiah’s audience, rather than describing every woman.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 19:16

  • “shaking” — תְּנוּפָה (tenufah): This word can describe a waving or brandishing movement. In this verse, the movement of the LORD’s hand is a sign of danger to Egypt.
  • “hosts” — צְבָאוֹת (tseva’ot): This word means armies or organized forces. The title “LORD of hosts” presents the LORD as one who commands vast forces.

Why Isaiah 19:16 matters

  • The verse places Egypt’s fear within a longer picture of trouble. After verse 15 describes Egypt’s inability to find effective help, verse 16 identifies the LORD’s hand as the cause of its fear.
  • The phrase “in that day” begins a series of statements about Egypt’s future in the passage. The fear in verse 16 is one part of that picture; later, Isaiah 19:21 says that Egypt will know the LORD and worship him.
  • The image of the LORD’s hand is about his power and action. Its threatening movement gives Isaiah’s audience a concrete way to picture the danger facing Egypt.

Where else these words appear

“fear” Hebrew H6342 · used in 25 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:66 And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:
  • Psalms 78:53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
  • Isaiah 44:11 Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.

“shaking” Hebrew H8573 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.
  • Leviticus 8:29 And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Leviticus 23:20 And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.

“shaketh” Hebrew H5130 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
  • Leviticus 14:24 And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:
  • Deuteronomy 27:5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.

“afraid” Hebrew H2729 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 27:33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
  • 1 Samuel 28:5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
  • Ezekiel 26:16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.