In 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.

ISAIAH 19:23KJV
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Isaiah 19:23 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 19:23 mean?

Isaiah 19:23 describes a future time when there will be a highway connecting Egypt and Assyria, and people from both nations will travel freely between them and serve together. The verse pictures former enemies, Egyptians and Assyrians, united in peaceful worship and cooperation.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah during a period of political tension, using the image of a "highway" to symbolize open communication and restored relationships between powerful nations that were once hostile. This vision stands out in Isaiah's prophecies, as it looks forward to a time of reconciliation and shared devotion, rather than conflict, between Egypt (H4714) and Assyria (H804).

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 19:23

  • "Highway" (מְסִלָּה, mesillah, H4546) means a raised road or main route. In Isaiah, this word often points to a path made for easy travel, suggesting not just physical connection but also openness and accessibility between nations.
  • "Serve" (עָבַד, avad, H5647) means to work or serve, and in many contexts, it refers to worship or service to God. Here, it hints that Egyptians and Assyrians will not only cooperate but will also join together in religious service, likely worshiping the same God.

Why Isaiah 19:23 matters

  • Isaiah 19:23 challenges the usual expectation of hostility between Egypt and Assyria by picturing them as partners, which would have been surprising to Isaiah’s original audience.
  • The verse emphasizes the idea that God’s plans include not just Israel, but also other nations, showing a vision of unity and peace that goes beyond national boundaries.
  • This verse sets up the following verses, where Isaiah continues to describe Egypt, Assyria, and Israel as blessed together, highlighting the broader hope for reconciliation and blessing among former enemies.

Where else these words appear

“highway” Hebrew H4546 · used in 26 verses

  • Numbers 20:19 And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet.
  • 2 Samuel 20:13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
  • Isaiah 11:16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

“Assyria” Hebrew H804 · used in 138 verses

  • Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
  • 2 Kings 20:6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
  • Isaiah 36:13 Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.