Isaiah 19

Chap. XIX. Ver. 1—25. An oracle respecting Egypt.— Not many years after the destruction of Sennacherib’s army, before Jerusalem, by which the Egyptians were freed from so powerful an enemy, their country became a prey to intestine broils, which ended in anarchy, and in the division of the kingdom among twelve tyrant princes. To this succeeded the sole dominion of Psammiticus for 54 years. This was followed by the conquest of Egypt, by Nebuchadnezzar, and then by the Persians under Cambyses, the son of Cyrus. But the yoke of the Persians was so grievous, that the conquest of them by Alexander may well be considered as a deliverance to Egypt, which he and his successors greatly favoured and improved. To all these events Bp. Lowth conceives the Prophet had a view in this chapter.

He likewise intimates (ver. 18, &c.) the spread of the Jewish religion in Egypt and Syria, under Alexander, and his successors. The Ptolemies, the first of whom, called Soter, (or the deliverer,) may be alluded to in verse 20; although, in their highest sense, the words must undoubtedly be referred to a greater Saviour. In the time of this Ptolemy, Philo reckons that there was one million of Jews in that country, who all worshipped the God of their fathers, taught and spread the knowledge of him, and consequently paved the way for an early reception of the gospel in this and the neighbouring countries. (See Bp. Newton’s Dissert. xii.) For the dispersion of the Jews of old, was like casting the seed of true religion abroad in the earth, as they every where carried with them the knowledge of the true God, and an expected Messiah.

And it is not impossible but even their present dispersion may, in the issue, prove equally beneficial in its consequences to the world at large. As to the Egyptians, their chief boast was in the antiquity of their nation, its acquaintance with the occult sciences, their fisheries and canals, and their flax-manufactories; all which are alluded to in this chapter. But these the threatened failure of the Nile would of course destroy; and all their arts and wisdom must fail, when the judgments of God should visit them. He, however, who wounded them, would also heal. We have already remarked the spread of Judaism in Egypt; and may now add, that Jeremiah, for a time, resided there, and there delivered many of his prophecies.

((Jeremiah 43:5), &c.) Among the first converts to Christianity, we also find “dwellers in Egypt,” and all the neighbouring parts. ((Acts 2:10); vii. 27, &c.) Also before the erection of the see of Constantinople, Alexandria ranked next to Rome; and there are still great numbers of nominal Christians in that country, which may serve as the foundation of a future church.

Notes on the verses

Chap. XIX. Ver. 2. I will set.—This refers to the civil dissensions mentioned in our exposition. Ver. 3. The spirit of Egypt shall fail, and will destroy, &c.—(This is a prophecy of what took place in Egypt about twenty-two years after the destruction of Sennacherib’s army; when, by the death of Tirhakah, not being able to settle about the succession, they continued for two years in a state of anarchy, confusion, and civil wars; which was followed by the tyranny of twelve princes, who, dividing the country among them, governed it for fifteen years; and at last, by the sole dominion of Psammiticus, which he held for fifty-four years.—Bagster.) Ver. 4. Give over.—Hebrew, “Shut up;” alluding to the case of prisoners of war.—A cruel lord.—(Rather, “cruel lords,” agreeably to the LXX., Syriac, Vulgate, and the original, adonim kasheh.) Nebuchadnezzar, who first conquered Egypt, B. C. 573, and the following year; and then, not only his successors, but Cambyses, (who invaded Egypt B. C. 526,) the son of Cyrus, and the whole succession of Persian kings till the time of Alexander, who were in general hard masters, and grievously oppressed the country.—Ver. 5. From the sea.—So the Nile was called, when it overflowed the country. Ver. 6. And they shall turn the rivers far away.—Lowth, “And the streams shall become putrid.” So Boothroyd.—And the brooks of defence.—By these, Lowth and others understand, “the canals of Egypt.” Ver. 7. The paper reeds by the brooks.—The papyrus being included among the reeds, &c.

In verse 6, Lowth renders this, “The meadows by the canal,” and Boothroyd, (after Kimchi,) “The marshy meadows at the mouth of the [river].” Ver. 10. And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof.—See margin; that is, in modern terms, the weavers shall be bankrupt, their trade being ruined, as well as that of the fish dealers. Ver. 12. Let them know.—Boothroyd, “Make known.” Ver. 18. Even they that are the stay.—Lowth, “The chief pillars of the [land].” Ver. 18. One of them shall be called, The city of destruction.—See margin. The Jews on the building of Heliopolis, (the city of the sun,) called it the city of righteousness, and regarded it as a rival of the temple of Jerusalem; but their brethren in Palestine, by a play on the word, called it, in aversion, “the city of destruction.”

Ver. 19. An altar, &c.—i. 6. the worship of the true God shall be received and maintained, according to his appointment. See (Joshua 22:21-29). Zeph. 1.9 (Romans 15:6).