Isaiah 19:9
Isaiah 19:9 in Multiple Translations
The workers in flax will be dismayed, and the weavers of fine linen will turn pale.
Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.
Moreover they that work in combed flax, and they that weave white cloth, shall be confounded.
And all the workers in linen thread, and those who make cotton cloth, will be put to shame.
The workers who prepare the flax for linen and the weavers of white fabric will be in despair.
Moreouer, they that worke in flaxe of diuers sortes, shall be confounded, and they that weaue nettes.
And ashamed have been makers of fine flax, And weavers of net-works.
Moreover those who work in combed flax, and those who weave white cloth, will be confounded.
Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave net-works shall be confounded.
They shall be confounded that wrought in flax, combing and weaving fine linen.
Those who weave cloth from flax will not know what to do, because there will be no thread for them to weave.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 19:9
BAB
Word Study
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Isaiah 19:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בֹ֛שׁוּ
עֹבְדֵ֥י
פִשְׁתִּ֖ים
שְׂרִיק֑וֹת
וְ/אֹרְגִ֖ים
חוֹרָֽי
וּ/בֹ֛שׁוּ
bûwsh
H954
be ashamed
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
עֹבְדֵ֥י
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
V-Qal
פִשְׁתִּ֖ים
pishteh
H6593
flax
N-mp
שְׂרִיק֑וֹת
sᵉrîyqâh
H8305
combed
Adj
וְ/אֹרְגִ֖ים
ʼârag
H707
to weave
Conj | V-Qal
חוֹרָֽי
chôwr
H2355
white cloth
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 19:9
וּ/בֹ֛שׁוּ
bûwsh
H954
"be ashamed"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
To be ashamed is what this Hebrew word means, implying a feeling of guilt or disappointment. It is used to describe someone who is disconcerted or delayed, like in the story of Adam and Eve. Shame is a strong emotion.
Definition: 1) to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to feel shame 1a2) to be ashamed, disconcerted, disappointed (by reason of) 1b) (Piel) to delay (in shame) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to put to shame 1c2) to act shamefully 1c3) to be ashamed 1d) (Hithpolel) to be ashamed before one another
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: (be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with, a-) shamed(-d), be (put to) confounded(-fusion), become dry, delay, be long. See also: Genesis 2:25; Isaiah 24:23; Psalms 6:11.
עֹבְדֵ֥י
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
V-Qal
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
פִשְׁתִּ֖ים
pishteh
H6593
"flax"
N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to flax, a plant used to make linen thread. It is mentioned in Exodus 9 as part of the plague of hail that damaged the flax crops in Egypt. The word is about a natural resource used for clothing.
Definition: 1) flax, linen 1a) fibre used as material for garments
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: flax, linen. See also: Leviticus 13:47; Proverbs 31:13; Isaiah 19:9.
שְׂרִיק֑וֹת
sᵉrîyqâh
H8305
"combed"
Adj
Combed refers to carding or combing flax to make it fine and usable for linen cloth. This process makes the flax smooth and ready for spinning. It is translated as fine in the KJV.
Definition: carded, combed, fine (of flax)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: fine. See also: Isaiah 19:9.
וְ/אֹרְגִ֖ים
ʼârag
H707
"to weave"
Conj | V-Qal
This word means to weave or plait, and is used to describe everyday tasks like weaving cloth or braiding hair. It also has figurative meanings, such as intrigue or plotting.
Definition: 1) to weave 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to weave (cloth) 1a2) to braid (Samson's hair) 1a3) weaver (subst.) 1a4) intrigue (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: weaver(-r). See also: Exodus 28:32; 2 Samuel 21:19; Isaiah 19:9.
חוֹרָֽי
chôwr
H2355
"white cloth"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to white cloth or linen, used to describe a type of fabric in the Bible.
Definition: white cloth, white stuff
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: network. Compare H2715 (חֹר). See also: Isaiah 19:9.
Study Notes — Isaiah 19:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 19:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 19:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 19:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 19:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 19:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 19:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 19:9
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 19:9
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 19:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 19:9
Context — The Burden against Egypt
7The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the fields sown along the Nile, will wither, blow away, and be no more.
8Then the fishermen will mourn, all who cast a hook into the Nile will lament, and those who spread nets on the waters will pine away.
9The workers in flax will be dismayed, and the weavers of fine linen will turn pale.
10The workers in cloth will be dejected, and all the hired workers will be sick at heart. 11The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 27:7 | Of embroidered fine linen from Egypt they made your sail, which served as your banner. Of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah they made your awning. |
| 2 | Proverbs 7:16 | I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt. |
| 3 | 1 Kings 10:28 | Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. |
Isaiah 19:9 Summary
[This verse is saying that the people who work with flax and make fine linen will be very upset and worried because their work will be disrupted, much like the fishermen in Isaiah 19:8 who will lose their livelihood due to the destruction of the Nile's fish. This is because God is bringing judgment on Egypt, as stated in Isaiah 19:1, where the Lord rides on a cloud to bring judgment to Egypt. We can learn from this that our work and livelihood are not the only things that give us value and purpose, but our relationship with God is what truly matters, as seen in Psalm 119:57, where the psalmist finds comfort and strength in God's presence. By trusting in God, we can find peace and stability even when our work or circumstances change, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11, where God promises to give us a future and a hope.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of flax and fine linen in Isaiah 19:9?
The workers in flax and weavers of fine linen are mentioned because these were important industries in ancient Egypt, providing clothing and other essential items, as seen in Exodus 35:35, where skilled workers were needed to create fine linens for the tabernacle.
Why will the workers in flax be dismayed and the weavers turn pale?
The workers will be dismayed and turn pale because the judgment of God on Egypt will disrupt their livelihoods, causing them to lose their source of income and stability, much like the fishermen in Isaiah 19:8 who will mourn due to the destruction of the Nile's fish.
How does this verse relate to the rest of Isaiah 19?
Isaiah 19:9 is part of a larger prophecy against Egypt, where God is declaring judgment on the nation for its idolatry and rebellion against Him, as stated in Isaiah 19:1, where the Lord rides on a cloud to bring judgment to Egypt.
What can we learn from the workers in flax and fine linen about our own work and livelihood?
We can learn that our work and livelihood are not immune to the sovereign will of God, and we must trust in Him, not just our own abilities or industries, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are called to trust in the Lord with all our hearts.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when my own livelihood or source of comfort is threatened, and what does this reveal about my trust in God?
- In what ways can I, like the workers in flax and fine linen, be so focused on my own work that I neglect my spiritual well-being and relationship with God?
- What are some modern-day equivalents of the flax and fine linen industries, and how might God's judgment or sovereignty impact those areas of our lives?
- How can I use my own work and skills to glorify God and serve others, even in the face of uncertainty or disruption?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 19:9
Moreover they that work in fine flax,.... Of which they made fine linen cloth, and yarn, and was much wore by the Egyptians, and was the commodity of the country, and for which other nations traded
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 19:9
Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded. They that work in short flax.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 19:9
That work in fine flax; that make fine linen, which was one of their best commodities; of which See Poole "", See Poole "", See Poole "".
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 19:9
Isaiah 19:9 Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.Ver. 9. They that work in fine flax shall be confounded,] sc., For want of materials, such as were wont to be sown by the brooks (Plin., lib. ix. cap. 1). They that weave networks.] Or rather whiteworks - that is, white garments made of the fine flax of Egypt. These were much worn by nobles. Whence also in Hebrew they have their name. úåãéí, Albi seu candidati.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 19:9
(9) Moreover they that work in fine flax.—Another class also would find its occupation gone. The “fine flax” was used especially for the dress of the priests (Herod. ii. 81), and for the mummy clothes of the dead (1 Kings 10:28; Ezekiel 27:7). They that weave networks.—Better, white cloths, the cotton or byssus fabrics for which Egypt was famous.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 19:9
Verse 9. They that work in fine flax] פשתים שריקות pishtim sericoth, heckled flax, i.e., flax dressed on the heckle, or comb used for that purpose. The Vulgate uses the word pectentes, combing. They that weave networks shall be confounded - And confounden schul ben that wrogten flax, plattinge and wevynge sotel thingis. - Old MS. Bible.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 19:9
9. Textile manufactures, linen and cotton, flourished greatly in ancient Egypt. fine flax] combed flax (R.V.). For networks read white-stuffs, probably cotton.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 19:9
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.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 19:9
9. Fine flax — In Hebrew, hatchelled flax. Networks — White linen. — Gesenius. Proverbs 7:16; Ezekiel 27:7.