Isaiah 19:23

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

בַּיּ֣וֹם

H3117

In that day

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֗וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

תִּהְיֶ֨ה

H1961

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

מְסִלָּ֤ה

H4546

shall there be a highway

a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase

מִצְרַ֖יִם

H4714

and the Egyptian

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אַשּֽׁוּר׃

H804

and the Assyrian

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

וּבָֽא

H935

shall come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אַשּֽׁוּר׃

H804

and the Assyrian

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

מִצְרַ֖יִם

H4714

and the Egyptian

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#10

מִצְרַ֖יִם

H4714

and the Egyptian

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#11

אַשּֽׁוּר׃

H804

and the Assyrian

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

#12

וְעָבְד֥וּ

H5647

shall serve

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

#13

מִצְרַ֖יִם

H4714

and the Egyptian

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#14

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#15

אַשּֽׁוּר׃

H804

and the Assyrian

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this verse's literary context within Isaiah chapter 19 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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