Isaiah 19:19-20
Context19:19 At that time there will be an altar for the Lord in the middle of the land of Egypt, as well as a sacred pillar 1 dedicated to the Lord at its border. 19:20 It 2 will become a visual reminder in the land of Egypt of 3 the Lord who commands armies. When they cry out to the Lord because of oppressors, he will send them a deliverer and defender 4 who will rescue them.
[19:19] 1 tn This word is sometimes used of a sacred pillar associated with pagan worship, but here it is associated with the worship of the Lord.
[19:20] 2 tn The masculine noun מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbbeakh, “altar”) in v. 19 is probably the subject of the masculine singular verb הָיָה (hayah) rather than the feminine noun מַצֵּבָה (matsevah, “sacred pillar”), also in v. 19.
[19:20] 3 tn Heb “a sign and a witness to the Lord who commands armies [traditionally, the Lord of hosts] in the land of Egypt.”
[19:20] 4 tn רָב (rav) is a substantival participle (from רִיב, riv) meaning “one who strives, contends.”