Isaiah 19:8 Meaning and Explanation
“The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Fishermen will grieve as their livelihood and the waters that sustain them disappear.
The Context of Isaiah 19:8
Fishermen lose their livelihoods and mourn the destruction of the waters.
What Does Isaiah 19:8 Mean?
Fishing was a major occupation and food source in Egypt. As the waters fail, fishermen lose everything. The verse catalogs different fishing methods—angling, net-casting—all rendered useless. The emotional response 'mourn' and 'lament' underscores the human cost of the ecological disaster, affecting not just the wealthy but common laborers.
The 'languishing' of those who spread nets suggests weakness and despair. When the waters that define a way of life vanish, entire communities suffer. This shows how judgment touches all social levels and disrupts the basic structures by which people sustain themselves and their families.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 19:8
What does Isaiah 19:8 mean?
Fishermen will grieve as their livelihood and the waters that sustain them disappear.
What is the context of Isaiah 19:8?
Fishermen lose their livelihoods and mourn the destruction of the waters.