Isaiah 19:20

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיָ֨ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְא֥וֹת

H226

And it shall be for a sign

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

וּלְעֵ֛ד

H5707

and for a witness

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

יְהוָה֙

H3068

unto the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֖וֹת

H6635

of hosts

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ

H776

in the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם

H4714

of Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִצְעֲק֤וּ

H6817

for they shall cry

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

#10

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#11

יְהוָה֙

H3068

unto the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#12

מִפְּנֵ֣י

H6440

because

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#13

לֹֽחֲצִ֔ים

H3905

of the oppressors

properly, to press, i.e., (figuratively) to distress

#14

וְיִשְׁלַ֥ח

H7971

and he shall send

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#15

לָהֶ֛ם

#16

מוֹשִׁ֥יעַ

H3467

them a saviour

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

#17

וָרָ֖ב

H7227

and a great one

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

#18

וְהִצִּילָֽם׃

H5337

and he shall deliver

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Isaiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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