Isaiah 19:21
And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it.
Isaiah 19:21 (KJV)
Context
This verse belongs to a larger prophecy in Isaiah 19 that begins with judgment on Egypt for its idolatry and reliance on false gods. Yet the chapter moves from calamity to restoration, and verse 21 announces a future day when the Egyptians will know the Lord. The phrase “in that day” points to a specific time of divine intervention when God’s purposes are fulfilled.
Meaning
The double expression “the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord” emphasizes a personal and national recognition of the true God. This knowledge is not merely intellectual; it leads to concrete acts of worship. The Egyptians will offer sacrifice and oblation, and they will make vows to the Lord and perform them. Such actions signal a genuine turning from false gods to exclusive devotion to the one true God. The response of the Egyptians—sacrifice, oblation, vows, and their performance—indicates that true knowledge of God results in worship and faithful obedience.
Biblical connections
This prophecy anticipates the New Testament era when the gospel goes to all nations, including Egypt, and people from every background are brought into a saving relationship with God through Christ.
Application
Isaiah 19:21 reveals God’s desire for all peoples to know Him and His willingness to extend grace to those who turn to Him. It also prompts self-examination: do we truly know God, and does that knowledge show itself in sacrificial worship and in keeping our commitments to Him? The verse encourages believers to respond to God’s revelation with sincere devotion and faithful obedience.
Reflection
God’s redemptive plan has always included the nations. The promise that Egypt—a land once marked by idolatry—would worship the Lord demonstrates His sovereign grace and His longing for all people to experience His salvation.
