Isaiah 19:18
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.
In that day

God will bring His purposes of judgment and redemption to fulfillment, extending His work beyond Israel to Egypt.

Zec 14:9 On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—…
Jol 3:18 And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine…
Rev 11:15 The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord…

five cities in the land of Egypt

A real and substantial part of Egypt will experience this change, showing that God’s rule reaches even a nation long associated with idolatry and opposition to His people.

Ezk 30:13-19 This is what the Lord GOD says: I will destroy the idols…
Isa 11:11-12 On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time…
Psa 87:4-6 “I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me”…

will speak the language of Canaan

These cities will identify openly with the people and worship of the LORD, abandoning Egypt’s former religious loyalties.

Zep 3:9 For then I will restore pure lips to the peoples,…
Neh 13:24 Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod…
2Ki 18:28 Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out loudly in Hebrew:…

and swear allegiance to the LORD of Hosts.

Their submission will be public and binding, recognizing the God of Israel as the sovereign ruler over every earthly and heavenly power.

Isa 45:23 By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth,…
Jer 12:16 And if they will diligently learn the ways of My people…
Psa 63:11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by Him…

One of them will be called the City of the Sun.

Heliopolis, once renowned for sun worship, will stand as evidence of Egypt’s transformation from idolatry to the worship of the LORD.

Jer 43:13 He will demolish the sacred pillars of the temple of the sun…
Gen 41:45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah,…
Ezk 30:17 The young men of On and Pi-beseth will fall by the sword,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Egypt
A significant nation in biblical history, often representing worldly power and idolatry. In this prophecy, Egypt is depicted as turning towards the worship of the LORD.

2. Five Cities
Symbolic of a significant portion of Egypt, indicating a widespread transformation and acceptance of the worship of the LORD.

3. Language of Canaan
Refers to the Hebrew language, symbolizing a shift in allegiance and cultural identity towards the God of Israel.

4. LORD of Hosts
A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies, indicating His power and authority.

5. City of the Sun
Likely a reference to Heliopolis, a major center of sun worship in Egypt, highlighting the dramatic change from idolatry to worship of the true God.
Teaching Points
Transformation of Nations
God's power can transform even the most unlikely nations and peoples to worship Him. This encourages us to pray for and witness to all nations, trusting in God's ability to change hearts.

Cultural and Spiritual Shift
The adoption of the "language of Canaan" signifies a deep cultural and spiritual shift. As believers, we are called to adopt the "language" of faith, aligning our lives with God's Word.

God's Sovereignty Over Idolatry
The prophecy of Egypt's cities turning to God demonstrates His sovereignty over all forms of idolatry. We should examine our lives for any idols and submit them to God's authority.

Hope for Redemption
This passage offers hope that no person or nation is beyond God's redemptive reach. We should hold onto hope for the salvation of those who seem far from God.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the transformation of Egypt in Isaiah 19:18 teach us about God's power to change nations and individuals?

2. How can we apply the concept of speaking the "language of Canaan" in our daily walk with God?

3. In what ways does the prophecy of Egypt's allegiance to the LORD challenge our understanding of God's sovereignty over idolatry?

4. How does the vision of Egypt's transformation encourage us to pray for and engage with cultures and peoples who do not yet know God?

5. What other biblical examples can you think of where God transformed a person or nation, and how does that inspire your faith today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Zephaniah 3:9
This verse speaks of a future time when people will have a pure language to call upon the name of the LORD, similar to the transformation in Egypt.

Isaiah 2:2-3
Describes a time when many nations will come to the mountain of the LORD, seeking His ways, paralleling Egypt's turning to God.

Psalm 87:4
Mentions Egypt (Rahab) among those who acknowledge the LORD, indicating a prophetic vision of Egypt's inclusion in God's people.
Converting GraceIsaiah 19:18
The Fruits of GraceCharles Haddon Spurgeon Isaiah 19:18
The Language of CanaanR. Macculloch.Isaiah 19:18
Mingled Judgment and MercyE. Johnson Isaiah 19:16-25
Smiting and HealingW. Clarkson Isaiah 19:18-22
People
Assyrians, Egyptians, Isaiah, Pharaoh
Places
Assyria, Canaan, City of Destruction, Egypt, Memphis, Nile River, Zoan
Topics
Allegiance, Almighty, Armies, Canaan, Cities, Destruction, Egypt, Heres, Hosts, Language, Lip, Making, Named, Oaths, Speak, Speaking, Swear, Swearing, Town, Towns, Using
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 19:18

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Library
The Fruits of Grace
"In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts; one shall be called the city of destruction. 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. And it all be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a Saviour, and a great one, and he shall
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
'Then Isaiah the son of Amos sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. 21. This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. 22. Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Exposition of the Moral Law.
1. The Law was committed to writing, in order that it might teach more fully and perfectly that knowledge, both of God and of ourselves, which the law of nature teaches meagrely and obscurely. Proof of this, from an enumeration of the principal parts of the Moral Law; and also from the dictate of natural law, written on the hearts of all, and, in a manner, effaced by sin. 2. Certain general maxims. 1. From the knowledge of God, furnished by the Law, we learn that God is our Father and Ruler. Righteousness
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet
We shall now, in conclusion, give a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet. After an introduction in vi. 1, 2, where the mountains serve only to give greater solemnity to the scene (in the fundamental passages Deut. xxxii. 1, and in Is. 1, 2, "heaven and earth" are mentioned for the same purposes, inasmuch as they are the most venerable parts of creation; "contend with the mountains" by taking them in and applying to [Pg 522] them as hearers), the prophet reminds the people of
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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