Isaiah 19:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will cause internal conflict and division within Egypt, with Egyptians turning against each other.
The Context of Isaiah 19:2
God describes the internal chaos He will bring upon Egypt.
What Does Isaiah 19:2 Mean?
God will actively bring chaos to Egypt through internal strife. Rather than an external enemy, Egyptians themselves become the instruments of their nation's downfall—brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor. This fracturing extends from personal relationships to political rivalries between cities and kingdoms.
This division reveals how judgment works: not always through outside conquest, but through the unraveling of social order. When people abandon trust in God, they lose the moral framework that holds communities together. Internal conflict becomes the expression of divine judgment.
Isaiah 19:2 in the Original Language
niluḥamim (נִלְחַמִּים), 'fight'—from laḥam, to battle or struggle. Indicates active, sustained conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 19:2
What does Isaiah 19:2 mean?
God will cause internal conflict and division within Egypt, with Egyptians turning against each other.
What is the context of Isaiah 19:2?
God describes the internal chaos He will bring upon Egypt.