Isaiah 19:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The prophet Isaiah expresses this concerning all nations: "And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:4). By taking on the yoke of God spiritually, and in the earthly sense, the yoke of the Romans, all will experience a tranquil life, undisturbed by the fear of war. In this harmony, even the most adversarial nations will find agreement: “For the Egyptians shall go to the Assyrians, and the Assyrians to the Egyptians” — they will relate to one another not through oppression but through bonds of love and mutual friendship. Thus, he designates the inhabitants of the eastern regions as Assyrians.

The phrase "Egyptians shall serve Assur" can be interpreted in two ways: either as Roman legions safeguarding Egypt alongside a trained Syrian army or indicating that both nations engaged in trade with each other, where Syrian cities benefitted from Egyptian products, and Egypt was enriched with goods from Palestine and Phoenicia. Some among our people associate this with the millennial reign, reflecting the Jewish perspective that it will occur at the world’s conclusion when the Antichrist, hailing from Assyria, seizes Egypt and Ethiopia.

In that day, a road will emerge from Egypt, leading an Assyrian into Egypt and an Egyptian into Assyria, with the Egyptians serving the Assyrians. Just as we have provided a satisfactory explanation for the preceding events concerning the Egyptians—those five cities that will communicate in the language of Canaan, swear allegiance to the Lord, and a sanctuary for the Lord will be erected in the heart of Egypt, accompanied by a testament, a sign, and a deliverer who will rescue them—so too should we view the statement that the Egyptians will serve the Assyrians positively. The apostle also served the believers to earn their favor. Moreover, Esau yields to his brother Jacob to partake in his blessings. Likewise, those Gentiles who are saved, possessing the altar of the Lord among them, will offer their service and fellowship to redeem those obstinate in their wickedness and will journey to the Assyrians, guiding them to Egypt, ultimately leading them to the people of Israel. For this reason, it seems that the faithful spouse serves the unfaithful partner, striving to gently lead him from Egypt and the Assyrians towards Judah.