Isaiah 19:19
New International Version
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border.

New Living Translation
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and there will be a monument to the LORD at its border.

English Standard Version
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border.

Berean Standard Bible
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the center of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD near her border.

Berean Literal Bible
In that day there will be an altar to YHWH in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to YHWH at its border.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border.

New American Standard Bible
On that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a memorial stone to the LORD beside its border.

NASB 1995
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD near its border.

NASB 1977
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD near its border.

Legacy Standard Bible
In that day there will be an altar to Yahweh in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to Yahweh near its border.

Amplified Bible
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a memorial stone to the LORD near its border.

Berean Annotated Bible
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD {YHWH} in the center of the land of Egypt (land of bondage), and a pillar to the LORD near her border.

Christian Standard Bible
On that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the center of the land of Egypt and a pillar to the LORD near her border.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the center of the land of Egypt and a pillar to the LORD near her border.

American Standard Version
In that day shall there be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
In the heart of Egypt an altar will be set up for the LORD; at its border a shrine will be built to honor him.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When that day comes, an altar for the LORD will be in the middle of Egypt, and a stone marker for the LORD will be near its border.

Good News Translation
When that time comes, there will be an altar to the LORD in the land of Egypt and a stone pillar dedicated to him at the Egyptian border.

International Standard Version
At that time, there will be an altar to the LORD of the Heavenly Armies in the heart of the land of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border.

NET Bible
At that time there will be an altar for the LORD in the middle of the land of Egypt, as well as a sacred pillar dedicated to the LORD at its border.

New Heart English Bible
In that day, there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border.

Webster's Bible Translation
In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at its border to the LORD.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the center of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD near her border.

World English Bible
In that day, there will be an altar to Yahweh in the middle of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to Yahweh at its border.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In that day there is an altar to YHWH "" In the midst of the land of Egypt, "" And a standing pillar to YHWH near its border,

Berean Literal Bible
In that day there will be an altar to YHWH in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to YHWH at its border.

Young's Literal Translation
In that day there is an altar to Jehovah In the midst of the land of Egypt, And a standing pillar near its border to Jehovah,

Smith's Literal Translation
In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar near its bound to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In that day there shall be an altar of the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a monument of the Lord at the borders thereof:

Catholic Public Domain Version
In that day, there will be an altar of the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt and a monument of the Lord beside its borders.

New American Bible
On that day there shall be an altar to the LORD at the center of Egypt, and a sacred pillar to the LORD near its boundary.

New Revised Standard Version
On that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the center of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
On that day there shall be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at its border to the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In that day there shall be an altar for LORD JEHOVAH within the land of Egypt and a pillar to LORD JEHOVAH on the side of her border
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
In that day there shall be an altar to the Lord in the land of the Egyptians, and a pillar to the Lord by its border.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Blessing to Egypt, Assyria, Israel
18In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD of Hosts. One of them will be called the City of the Sun. 19In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the center of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD near her border. 20It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of Hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, He will send them a savior and defender to rescue them.…

Cross References
In that day

Hosea 2:18
On that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that crawl on the ground. And I will abolish bow and sword and battle in the land, and will make them lie down in safety.

Isaiah 4:2
On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of Israel’s survivors.

Joel 3:18
And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.
there will be an altar to the LORD

Genesis 8:20
Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. And taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Exodus 20:24
You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.

Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.
in the center of the land of Egypt,

Exodus 8:22-23
But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land. / I will make a distinction between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.’”

Leviticus 26:12
I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.

Ezekiel 37:27
My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people.
and a pillar to the LORD near her border.

Genesis 31:45-49
So Jacob picked out a stone and set it up as a pillar, / and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate. / Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed. …

Genesis 28:18
Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone that he had placed under his head, and he set it up as a pillar. He poured oil on top of it,

Joshua 4:9
Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood. And the stones are there to this day.
Exodus 24:4
And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.

Joshua 4:20-24
And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. / Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ / you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ …

1 Samuel 7:12
Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

2 Samuel 18:18
During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.


Treasury of Scripture

In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the middle of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.

Isaiah 66:23
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

Genesis 12:7
And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

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.

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Altar Border Edge Egypt Heart Middle Midst Monument Pillar Standing Thereof
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Altar Border Edge Egypt Heart Middle Midst Monument Pillar Standing Thereof
Isaiah 19
1. The confusion of Egypt
11. The foolishness of their princes
18. The calling of Egypt into the church
23. The covenant of Egypt, Assyria, and Israel












In that day
This phrase often signifies a future time of divine intervention or fulfillment of prophecy. It points to a specific period when God will act decisively. In the context of Isaiah, it often refers to the Messianic age or a time of judgment and restoration.

there will be an altar to the LORD
An altar signifies worship and sacrifice, central to the Hebrew faith. The presence of an altar in Egypt suggests a significant shift where Egyptians will acknowledge and worship the God of Israel. This is a remarkable prophecy, considering Egypt's historical role as an oppressor of Israel and its polytheistic traditions.

in the center of the land of Egypt
The central location implies that the worship of the LORD will be widespread and not confined to the peripheries. It suggests a transformation within Egypt, where the worship of the true God becomes central to its identity. This could symbolize the heart of Egypt turning towards God.

and a pillar to the LORD near her border
Pillars were often used as memorials or markers of significant events or covenants. A pillar at the border signifies a public declaration of allegiance to the LORD, visible to all entering or leaving the land. It represents a boundary of faith, marking Egypt as a nation that acknowledges the God of Israel.

This prophecy connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's plan for all nations to come to know Him, as seen in passages like Isaiah 2:2-4 and Zechariah 14:16-19. It also foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant through Christ, as seen in the New Testament.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Egypt
A significant nation in biblical history, often representing both a place of refuge and a symbol of oppression for the Israelites. In this context, Egypt is depicted as a future place of worship for the LORD.

2. Altar to the LORD
Represents a place of worship and sacrifice, signifying a turning of the Egyptian people towards the God of Israel.

3. Pillar to the LORD
A monument or marker that signifies the presence and acknowledgment of the LORD, serving as a witness to the transformation within Egypt.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises.

5. In that day
A prophetic phrase often used in the Bible to denote a future time of divine intervention or fulfillment of God's promises.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is not limited to Israel; His plan includes all nations, demonstrating His universal sovereignty and desire for all to know Him.

Transformation and Redemption
The prophecy of an altar in Egypt signifies hope and transformation, showing that no nation or person is beyond God's redemptive power.

Witness and Testimony
The pillar at Egypt's border serves as a reminder of the importance of public testimony and acknowledgment of God's work in our lives.

Prophetic Fulfillment
This passage encourages believers to trust in God's promises, knowing that His word will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.

Unity in Worship
The vision of Egypt worshiping the LORD points to a future unity among diverse peoples, united in worship of the one true God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 19:19?

2. How does Isaiah 19:19 demonstrate God's sovereignty over all nations?

3. What is the significance of an "altar to the LORD" in Egypt?

4. How can Isaiah 19:19 inspire modern believers to witness in foreign lands?

5. Connect Isaiah 19:19 with other scriptures about God's presence among Gentiles.

6. How can we apply Isaiah 19:19 to our personal worship practices today?

7. What is the significance of the altar mentioned in Isaiah 19:19 for Egypt's future?

8. How does Isaiah 19:19 relate to God's plan for nations outside Israel?

9. Why is an altar to the LORD built in Egypt according to Isaiah 19:19?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 19?

11. Why does Isaiah 19’s prophecy differ from other prophetic passages about Egypt (e.g., Ezekiel 29) if they both claim divine judgment?

12. Can the miraculous elements in Isaiah 19:16-25 be reconciled with modern historical or scientific understanding?

13. How do the references in Isaiah 19:13-14 to 'confusion' and 'drunkenness' align with archaeological or historical accounts of Egyptian culture?

14. Does Isaiah 19:1-4 align with known Egyptian history regarding civil strife and political upheaval?
What Does Isaiah 19:19 Mean
In that day

• The phrase signals a specific, future moment when God personally intervenes.

• Isaiah often uses it to point to the climax of His redemptive plan (Isaiah 2:11; 11:10; 12:1).

• Here it links Egypt’s story to the broader “day” when nations stream to the LORD (Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 15:3–4).


there will be an altar to the LORD

• An altar embodies worship, sacrifice, and covenant loyalty (Genesis 12:7–8; Exodus 20:24).

• God promises that genuine, acceptable worship will rise from Egypt itself—once a land of idolatry (Isaiah 19:1).

• The verse anticipates the inclusion of Gentiles in true devotion, echoing “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7; Malachi 1:11).


in the heart of Egypt

• “Heart” (center) stresses that this worship is not peripheral but embedded deep within the nation.

• God is claiming space once reserved for false gods (Jeremiah 46:25).

Psalm 68:31 foresees “Cush will stretch out her hands to God,” aligning with Egypt’s coming submission.


and a pillar to the LORD

• Pillars served as lasting testimonies to divine encounters (Genesis 28:18; Joshua 4:20–24).

• This pillar stands as a visible reminder that Egypt has embraced the LORD, answering the cry of 19:20.

• Similar imagery appears in Zechariah 6:13 where a memorial honors the Messianic King-Priest.


at its border

• Placing the pillar on the border broadcasts Egypt’s new allegiance to travelers and neighboring nations (1 Kings 8:41–43).

• Borders often marked covenant boundaries (Exodus 24:4; Ezekiel 47:13–14); here, Egypt’s frontier proclaims the LORD’s reign.

• Together, altar and pillar bookend the land—heart and edge—signaling comprehensive transformation.


summary

Isaiah 19:19 pictures a miraculous future when Egypt, once hostile to Israel’s God, builds both an altar at its core and a memorial pillar on its frontier. These structures declare nationwide repentance and wholehearted worship. The prophecy assures believers that God’s saving reach extends to the ends of the earth, fulfilling His promise to gather every nation into the joy of knowing and honoring Him.

(19) In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord . . .--The words naturally tended to bring about their own fulfilment, as related in the preceding note. From the prophet's own stand-point, however, the altar was probably thought of, not as the centre of a rival worship, but, like that erected by the trans-Jordanic tribes in the time of Joshua, as an altar of "witness" (Joshua 22:27), and the words that follow supply a distinct confirmation of this view. Substantially the prophet saw in the distant future a time in which the connection between Judah and Egypt should be one influencing the latter for good, and not the former for evil. The admission of Egyptian and Ethiopian proselytes, already referred to, was as the first fruits of such an influence. It may not be without interest to note some of its later workings. (1) In the time of Manasseh, who gave to his son Amon a name singularly Egyptian in its sound, a body of Jewish settlers were invited by Psammetichus to station themselves on the frontiers of Upper Egypt ("Pseudo-Aristeas," in Hudson's Josephus). (2) Under Ptolemy I. large numbers of Jewish emigrants fixed themselves at Alexandria, with full toleration of their faith and worship. (3) Under Ptolemy Philadelphus the intercourse between the Palestinians and Egyptians led to the translation of the Old Testament Scriptures known as the LXX., and this was followed by the growth of a Hellenistic or a Graeco-Jewish literature, of which we have the remains in the Apocrypha and in Philo. (4) There was the erection of the Leontopolis Temple, already spoken of, and this was followed by that of numerous synagogues, perhaps also of monasteries for communities of Jewish ascetics of the Essene type, such as that which Philo describes under the name of the Thera-p?ut? (Euseb. H.E. ii. 17).

A pillar at the border thereof . . .--The pillar was the familiar obelisk of the Egyptians, commonly associated with the worship of the sun. The point of Isaiah's prediction was that the symbol should be rescued from its idolatrous uses, and stand on the border-land of Egypt and of Judah, as a witness that Jehovah, the Lord of hosts, was worshipped in both countries.

Verse 19. - There shall be an altar to the Lord. An altar to the Lord was undoubtedly erected by Onias in the temple which he obtained leave to build from Ptolemy Philometor. Josephus says that he persuaded Ptolemy by showing him this passage of Isaiah ('Ant. Jud.,' 13:3; 'Bell. Jud.,' 7:10). And a pillar at the border thereof. It is not clear that any "pillar" was ever actually erected. The erection of pillars for religious purposes was forbidden by the Law (Deuteronomy 16:22). But this would be a pillar of witness (Genesis 31:52), and would mark that the land was Jehovah's. Dr. Kay suggests that "the Jewish synagogue first, and afterwards the Christian Church at Alexandria, standing like a lofty obelisk, with the name of Jehovah inscribed upon it, at the entrance of Egypt," sufficiently fulfilled the prophecy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In that
הַה֗וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

there will be
יִֽהְיֶ֤ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

an altar
מִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ (miz·bê·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

to the LORD
לַֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

in the center
בְּת֖וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

of the land
אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt,
מִצְרָ֑יִם (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

and a pillar
וּמַצֵּבָ֥ה (ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4676: Something stationed, a column, an idol

to the LORD
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

near
אֵֽצֶל־ (’ê·ṣel-)
Preposition
Strong's 681: A joining together, proximity

her border.
גְּבוּלָ֖הּ (gə·ḇū·lāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 19:19 In that day there will be (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 19:18
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