In 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.

ISAIAH 19:19KJV
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Isaiah 19:19 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 19:19 mean?

Isaiah 19:19 says that, in a future time, there will be an altar dedicated to the LORD in the middle of Egypt and a pillar to the LORD at Egypt’s border. This verse describes a surprising scene where Egypt, usually seen as a foreign nation in the Bible, is pictured honoring Israel’s God.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, describing what will happen to Egypt as part of a larger prophecy about God’s actions among the nations. In the context, Isaiah is showing that God’s reach extends beyond Israel, and even Egypt will one day acknowledge and worship the LORD. The mention of both an altar and a pillar suggests public and visible signs of devotion to the LORD in places that would have been known for worshiping other gods.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 19:19

  • altar (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): This word means a place of sacrifice or offering. Its use here in Egypt is striking because altars to the LORD were usually found in Israel, not foreign lands.
  • pillar (מַצֵּבָה, matzevah): This refers to a stone monument or marker, often set up as a sign of remembrance or dedication. In this verse, it marks the border, showing that the LORD is being honored even at Egypt’s edge.
  • midst (בְּתוֹךְ, betokh) and border (גְּבוּל, gevul): The verse highlights both the center and the edge of Egypt, suggesting that the LORD’s presence and honor will cover the whole land, not just one part.

Why Isaiah 19:19 matters

  • Isaiah 19:19 challenges the usual view of Egypt as only an enemy or outsider in the Bible, showing that God’s care and authority can reach any nation.
  • The verse emphasizes that worship of the LORD is not limited to Israel; even traditional enemies can become places where God is honored.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage, where Isaiah describes a future hope for Egypt, Assyria, and Israel together, hinting at a time of peace and shared worship.

Where else these words appear

“pillar” Hebrew H4676 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
  • Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
  • 2 Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

“at” Hebrew H681 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
  • 1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
  • Proverbs 7:12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)