This prophecy respecting Egypt extends only through this chapter. Its general scope and design is plain. It is intended to describe the calamities that would come upon Egypt, and the effect which they would have in turning the people to God. The scene is laid in Egypt; and the following things passe... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BURDEN OF EGYPT - This is the title to the prophecy. For the meaning of the word “burden,” see the note at Isaiah 13:1. The word ‘Egypt’ in the original is מצרים _mı̂ts__e__rayı̂m_; and it was so called after Mizraim the second son of Ham, and grandson of Noah. Sometimes it is called Mazor 2 Kin... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL SET - (סכסכתי _sı̂ksaketı̂y_). This word (from סכך _sākak_) means properly “to cover,” to spread over, to hide, conceal, to protect. Another signification of the verb is, to weave, to intermingle. It may mean here, ‘I will arm the Egyptians against each other’ (Gesenius); or, as in our v... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SPIRIT OF EGYPT - (see Isaiah 19:1). They shall be exhausted with their long internal contentions and strifes; and seeing no prospect of deliverance, and anxious that the turmoils should end, they shall seek counsel and refuge in their gods and necromancers, but in vain. SHALL FAIL - (נבקה... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE EGYPTIANS - The Egyptian nation; the entire people, though divided into factions and contending with each other. WILL I GIVE OVER - Margin, ‘Shut up.’ The Hebrew word (סכר _sākar_) usually has the sense of shutting up, or closing. Here it means that these contentions would be “closed” or c... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE WATERS SHALL FAIL - Here commences a description of the “physical” calamities that would come upon the land, which continues to Isaiah 19:10. The previous verses contained an account of the national calamities by civil wars. It may be observed that discord, anarchy, and civil wars, are often... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL TURN THE RIVERS FAR AWAY - (האזיּחוּ _he'ez__e__nı̂ychû_), probably from זנח _zânach_, “to have an offensive smell; to be rancid, or putrid.” The word in this form occurs nowhere else. It is in the Hiphil conjugation, and is probably a form made from a mixture with the Chaldee. The... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PAPER REEDS - (ערות _‛__ârôt_). This is not the word which occurs in Isaiah 18:2, and which, it is supposed, means there the papyrus (see the note on that place). Interpreters have been divided in regard to the meaning of the word here. Gesenius derives it from ערה _‛__ârâh_, “to be naked, o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FISHERS ALSO - In this verse, and the two following, the prophet describes the calamities that would come upon various classes of the inhabitants, as the consequence of the failing of the waters of the Nile. The first class which he mentions are the fishermen. Egypt is mentioned Numbers 11:5, as... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER - In addition to the calamities that will come upon the fishermen, the drying up of the river will affect all who are supported by that which the overflowing of its waters produced. THEY THAT WORK IN SHORT FLAX - Egypt was celebrated anciently for producing flax in large quantities, and of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL BE BROKEN - There has been a great variety of opinion in regard to the interpretation of this verse, and much difficulty in the construction of the Hebrew words. The Vulgate renders it, ‘And its wet places shall fail; all who make ponds to take fish.’ The Septuagint, ‘And all who make... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY THE PRINCES - The following verses, to Isaiah 19:16, are designed to describe further the calamities that were coming upon Egypt by a want of wisdom in their rulers. They would be unable to devise means to meet the impending calamities, and would actually increase the national misery by their... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE ARE THEY? - This whole verse is an appeal by the prophet to the king of Egypt respecting the counselors and soothsayers of his kingdom. The sense is, ‘a time of distress and danger is evidently coming upon Egypt. They pretend to be wise; and there is now occasion for all their wisdom, and oppo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRINCES OF ZOAN - (the note at Isaiah 19:11). This “repetition” is intensive and emphatic, and shows the deep conviction of the prophet of their folly. The design is to show that “all” the counselors on which the Egyptians depended were fools. THE PRINCES OF NOPH - The Vulgate, the Septuagint, a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HATH MINGLED - The word מסך _mâsak_, “to mingle,” is used commonly to denote the act of mixing spices with wine to make it more intoxicating Proverbs 9:2, Proverbs 9:5; Isaiah 5:22. Here it means that Yahweh has poured out into the midst of them a spirit of giddiness; that is, has produced... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER SHALL THERE BE ANY WORK - The sense is, that there shall be such discord that no man, whether a prince, a politician, or a priest, shall be able to give any advice, or form any plan for the national safety and security, which shall be successful. WHICH THE HEAD OR TAIL - High or low; strong... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY SHALL EGYPT BE LIKE UNTO WOMEN - Timid; fearful; alarmed. The Hebrews often, by this comparison, express great fear and consternation Jeremiah 51:30; Nahum 3:13. BECAUSE OF THE SHAKING OF THE HAND - The shaking of the hand is an indication of threatening or punishment (note, Isaiah 10:3... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LAND OF JUDAH - The fear and consternation of Egypt shall be increased when they learn what events are occurring there, and what Yahweh has purposed in regard to it. SHALL BE A TERROR - This cannot be understood to mean that they were in danger from an invasion by the Jews, for at that time... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY - The word ‘day’ is used in Scripture in a large signification, “as including the whole period under consideration,” or the whole time that is embraced in the scope of a prophecy. In this chapter it is used in this sense; and evidently means that the event here foretold would take place... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY SHALL THERE BE AN ALTAR - An “altar” is properly a place on which sacrifices are offered. According to the Mosaic law, but one great altar was to be erected for sacrifices. But the word ‘altar’ is often used in another sense to denote a place of “memorial;” or a place of worship in gener... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT SHALL BE FOR A SIGN - The altar, and the pillar. This shows that the altar was not to be for sacrifice, but was a “memorial,” or designed to designate a place of worship. THEY SHALL CRY TO THE LORD BECAUSE OF THE OPPRESSORS - That is, oppressed and borne down under the exactions of their rul... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SHALL BE KNOWN TO EGYPT - Shall be worshipped and honored by the Jews who shall dwell there, and by those who shall be proselyted to their religion. AND THE EGYPTIANS SHALL KNOW THE LORD - That many of the Egyptians would be converted to the Jewish religion there can be no doubt. This... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SHALL SMITE EGYPT - That is, in the manner described in the previous part of this prophecy Isaiah 19:2. AND HEAL IT - Or restore it to more than its former splendor and prosperity, as described in the previous verses Isaiah 19:18. He shall send it a saviour; he shall open new sources o... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE SHALL BE A HIGHWAY - A communication; that is, there shall be an alliance between Egypt and Assyria, as constituting parts of one empire, and as united in the service of the true God. The same figure of a “highway” is found in Isaiah 11:16 (see the note on that place). The truth was, that Alex... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY SHALL ISRAEL BE THE THIRD - That is, the three shall be united as one people. Instead of being rival, hostile, and contending kingdoms, they shall be united and friendly; and instead of having different and jarring religions, they shall all worship the same God. The prophecy rather refer... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM THE LORD OF HOSTS SHALL BLESS - That is, which united country he shall acknowledge as truly worshipping him, and on which he shall bestow his favors as his favored people. ASSYRIA THE WORK OF MY HANDS - This is synonymous with the expression ‘my people.’ It means that the arrangements by which... [ Continue Reading ]