This is the second subunit in this section. Its topic differs from the previous one. It notes two important facts: (1) five Egyptian cities use the Hebrew language, and (2) these cities are committed to Yahweh. There were communities of Jews living in Egypt at least from the sixth century B.C. (Jer 44.1) and maybe even as early as from the time of King Solomon. It is also quite likely that some Egyptians became converts to the Israelite religion.

In that day: See the introductory comments on this section [19.16-25].

There will be five cities in the land of Egypt which speak the language of Canaan: The five cities probably includes the four mentioned by Jeremiah in Jer 44.1: Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and Pathros. All these cities were near the border with Judah or in the northern or northeastern part of Egypt. Translators can use “Hebrew” to refer to the language of Canaan, as Good News Translation has done (also Contemporary English Version, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

And swear allegiance to the LORD of hosts means these cities will be committed to serving Yahweh. The form of the Hebrew verb rendered swear allegiance to has the basic sense of “binding oneself to” someone or something. Bible en français courant has “made an oath to belong to,” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “swearing loyalty to,” and New Jerusalem Bible uses “pledging themselves to.” Contemporary English Version renders this clause simply as “and their people will become followers of the LORD.” Good News Translation does not express its meaning correctly by saying the people will make oaths in the name of the LORD.

One of these will be called the City of the Sun: The City of the Sun is probably Heliopolis, which is a Greek name meaning “sun city.” A footnote could mention this. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh transliterates the Hebrew, saying “Town of Heres.” New International Version prefers “the City of Destruction,” which follows Masoretic Text. However, Revised Standard Version and a number of other versions follow a Dead Sea Scrolls text along with some other Hebrew manuscripts. The Hebrew words for “sun” and “destruction” are very similar, so a copyist may have confused them. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project and de~Waard recommend “the City of the Sun,” which we also prefer. The Septuagint has “city of righteousness,” but scholars consider this to be a misreading of the Hebrew.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• At that time there will be five cities in Egypt that speak Hebrew and give allegiance to Yahweh of hosts. One of the cities will be called “City of the Sun.”

• When that time comes, there will be five cities in the land of Egypt where the language of Canaan is spoken and where the people all acknowledge Yahweh of hosts. One such city will be called “Sun City.”

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 .