Isaiah 19:22 - Exposition

And Jehovah shall smite Egypt, smiting and healing ; i.e. Jehovah shall indeed "smite Egypt," as already prophesied ( Isaiah 19:1-16 ), but it shall be with a merciful object, in order, after smiting, to "heal." His smiting shall induce them to "return" to him, and when they return he will forgive and save (comp. Zephaniah 3:8 , Zephaniah 3:9 ; Jeremiah 12:14-16 ). Egypt was a Christian country from the third century to the seventh; and the Coptic Church (though very corrupt) still remains, knowing Jehovah, and offering the holy oblation of the Christian altar continually.