Isaiah 19:10 Meaning and Explanation
“And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Those who constructed Egypt's irrigation and fish-farming systems will see their efforts come to nothing.
The Context of Isaiah 19:10
The elaborate water management systems that Egypt built collapse into uselessness.
What Does Isaiah 19:10 Mean?
The engineers and laborers who built the sluices and ponds for managing water and cultivating fish will find their works 'broken'—destroyed or rendered purposeless. Their carefully designed systems cannot function without water. All the ingenuity and effort invested in water management becomes useless, a symbol of human plans undone by divine judgment.
This adds a dimension of futility: not just loss of resources, but the destruction of human achievement and expertise. The pride in human accomplishment—the engineering feats of Egypt—is overthrown. This teaches the humility that comes when we recognize our dependence on forces beyond human control.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 19:10
What does Isaiah 19:10 mean?
Those who constructed Egypt's irrigation and fish-farming systems will see their efforts come to nothing.
What is the context of Isaiah 19:10?
The elaborate water management systems that Egypt built collapse into uselessness.