Lexical Summary heres: Sun, sun's heat, earthenware, potsherd Original Word: הֶרֶס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance destruction From harac; demolition -- destruction. see HEBREW harac NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom haras Definition an overthrow, destruction NASB Translation destruction (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs הֶ֫רֶס noun [masculine] overthrow, destruction, only Isaiah 19:18 one shall be called עִיר הַהֶרֶס city of destruction, i.e. (as usually explained) with punning allusion to On-Heliopolis: it shall be called no longer עַיר הַחֶרֶס city of the sun, but עיר ההרס city of destruction, city whose temples, etc., of the sun have been destroyed; but perhaps < ᵐ5 πόλις ασεδεκ = עִיר הֵצֶּדֶק city of righteousness, so GeiUrschrift 79 Brd Di (change intentional ? compare id.); on other views see id. & De Che. Topical Lexicon Overview The form הֶרֶס (Strong’s Hebrew 2041) appears a single time in the Old Testament, Isaiah 19:18, where it designates “destruction.” Even in its solitary occurrence the term sits in a prophetic passage that moves rapidly from judgment to hope, making the expression a hinge between collapse and renewal. Canonical Setting Isaiah 19 pronounces the LORD’s coming against Egypt (verses 1–17) and then pivots to describe Egypt’s future allegiance to Israel’s God (verses 18–25). Verse 18 specifies that, “In 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.” (Isaiah 19:18). The Masoretic Text, however, reads “City of Destruction,” employing הֶרֶס. The words “sun” (חֶרֶס, with ḥet) and “destruction” (הֶרֶס, with he) are homophones, and early scribes appear to have preserved both readings. The Masoretic tradition retains the spelling with he, which Strong indexed, while many English versions follow the Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint in reading ḥet (“sun”). Either way, the prophecy announces a thoroughgoing transformation: a city long associated with idolatry and oppression becomes a beacon of covenant faithfulness. Textual Issues and Their Significance 1. Masoretic “City of Destruction” underscores how God overturns former strongholds. Egypt’s proud monuments, once symbols of human achievement, now typify utter ruin before the Sovereign LORD. Historical Background Heliopolis (biblical On; Genesis 41:45) lay about six miles northeast of modern Cairo and housed Egypt’s principal temple of Ra. By Isaiah’s day the site had enjoyed centuries of prominence. Whether Isaiah wrote “destruction” or word-played on “sun,” the prophecy announces a future in which one of Egypt’s most venerable cities will be renamed in covenant loyalty. Comparable prophetic reversals appear when Nineveh’s downfall is foretold (Nahum 1:8–10) and when Babylon’s pride collapses (Isaiah 13–14). In each case the LORD demonstrates supremacy over every national deity and power. Theological Themes Judgment as Gateway to Salvation. The presence of הֶרֶס within a promise-laden verse reminds readers that divine judgment is never arbitrary. God dismantles false security so that true refuge may be embraced (cf. Isaiah 10:20–23). Universal Mission. Egypt, long Israel’s oppressor, becomes a worshiping partner (Isaiah 19:24–25). The single term “destruction” carries global missional weight: God intends not only to raze idolatry but to draw former enemies into covenant blessing. Holy Renaming. Scripture often marks redemptive turning points by new names: Abram becomes Abraham, Jacob Israel. Here an entire city receives a name reflecting either its demolition of idols or its new radiance under Yahweh’s light (Revelation 2:17 offers a New-Covenant parallel). Prophetic Parallels • Zephaniah 3:9 anticipates, “I will restore pure speech to the peoples, so that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD.” Egypt’s “language of Canaan” (Isaiah 19:18) and its abandonment of הֶרֶס illustrate that promise. Pastoral and Ministry Reflections 1. No stronghold is beyond redemption. The LORD who renamed Heliopolis can reclaim any city or culture today. Summary Though הֶרֶס appears only once, its placement in Isaiah 19:18 charges it with hopeful irony: destruction serves as the threshold to divine reconstruction. Whether the city is remembered for its ruin or for the brilliance of a new dawn, the prophecy announces that the LORD will triumph over every idol and gather former foes into His covenant family. No pocket of darkness—ancient or modern—can withstand His redemptive purposes. Forms and Transliterations הַהֶ֔רֶס ההרס ha·he·res haheresLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 19:18 HEB: צְבָא֑וֹת עִ֣יר הַהֶ֔רֶס יֵאָמֵ֖ר לְאֶחָֽת׃ NAS: the City of Destruction. KJV: The city of destruction. INT: of hosts the City of Destruction will be called one 1 Occurrence |
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