Translation commentary on Isaiah 19:21

And the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians: Yahweh will reveal himself to the Egyptians by rescuing them from oppression, just as he did for the Israelites at the time of the Exodus. If make himself known or “reveal himself” (Good News Translation, Bible en français courant) are difficult to translate, Contemporary English Version offers another model for the whole clause: “The LORD will show the Egyptians who he is.”

And the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day: This is the result of Yahweh revealing himself to the Egyptians. The Hebrew verb rendered know usually refers to more than the possession of information. It often carries the deeper sense of a mutual personal relationship, so know the LORD may be rendered “have a relationship with Yahweh.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “recognize who he is.” Good News Translation has “acknowledge [him].” Since in that day refers generally to some time in the future, an alternative model for this line is “and the Egyptians will then recognize/acknowledge Yahweh.”

And worship with sacrifice and burnt offering: As a result of their new relationship with the LORD, the Egyptians will worship him through offerings. The Hebrew verb rendered worship is literally “serve.” The Hebrew noun for sacrifice is a general term for offerings (see 1.11). The Hebrew word rendered burnt offering is actually the word that means “grain offering” (see the comments at 1.13).

And they will make vows to the LORD and perform them: This is another religious response of the Egyptians. The foreign sailors in Jonah who were rescued from the life-threatening storm did the same thing—they offered a sacrifice and made vows (Jonah 1.16). A “vow” is a solemn promise to carry out some religious act as an expression of devotion to God, or in gratitude for a divine favor. Deuteronomy calls upon anyone who has made a vow to ensure that he or she keeps it (Deut 23.21). Perform them means the Egyptians will keep their promises.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Yahweh will reveal himself to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will then recognize him as their God. They will offer sacrifices and grain offerings to Yahweh. They will also make promises to him and keep them.

• Yahweh will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know him at that time. They will worship Yahweh with sacrifices and grain offerings, and they will make vows/promises to him and keep them.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

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