Isaiah 19

Isaiah 19:1

RIdeth] a propheticall description of Gods sudden, and unlooked for judge ments, executed by the Chaldeans upon Egypt, as Psa. 18. 9. & 104. 3 The Idols] all the divels endeavours, who is served in those idols, and thereby seduceth men, making a shew of defending those that worship him, shall be quite overthrowne, see Exodus 12:12. and the beliefe which men had in them shall vanish away, and the images themselves shall be beaten down and destroyed, Jeremiah 43:12. or carried away into captivity according to the custome of the heathen, Isaiah 46:1.

Isaiah 19:2

Set the] raising warres and civill factions amongst themselves Kingdome] namely, a province or rectories, for Egypt was divided into rectories.

Isaiah 19:3

The Spirit] namely, their strength, valour, and heart shall faile them at their need, familiar spirits, see Leviticus 19:31.

Isaiah 19:4

Cruell Lord] namely, Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, Jeremiah 46:26.

Isaiah 19:5

The waters] a figurative description of an extream desolation of Egypt which had all its pleasure, profit, ritches and security comming in by Sea, the chiefest meanes of their great traffique and by means of the River Nilus, which is the cause of the Countries great fruitfulnesse.

Isaiah 19:6

Turne the Rivers farre away] the Italian, the Rivers shall goe backe] namely, by reason of the falling of the waters Of defence] Egypt is often times thus called, by reason of the Hebrew names signification. The Countrey being much strengthned by meanes of the waters Others construe it as though he meant great bankes raised up upon the sides of the Rivers.

Isaiah 19:7

By the Brookes] being sowne and growing upon grounds all wet and dirty by reason of the overflowing of the River Nilus. Driven away] they shall be all spoiled, through the rage & desolation of war, which shal be like the overflowing of a River.

Isaiah 19:9

In fine Flax] which was one of the singular and choicest rarities of Egypt, see 1 King. 10. 28. Proverbs 7:16.

Isaiah 19:11

Zoan] a most ancient City of Egypt, Numbers 13:22. called Tanes by some authors Say ye] that is to say, you make your boasts to him, and make him in a manner beleeve that wisedome is proper and hereditary to you from father to sonne.

Isaiah 19:12

Thy wise men] which professed they could foresee things to come, see Genesis 44:15. Let them tell thee] that is to say, let them tell thee how whilst I Isaiah am speaking, that thou mayst in time provide therefore: Or that then thy mind may be certainly informed, that such things will happen.

Isaiah 19:13

Noph] a City which by some Authors is called Memphis. Deceived] by the false judgement of their discourse, giving the King ill grounded counsels. Or by false predictions Of the Tribes] namely of their communities or rectores.

Isaiah 19:14

Hath mingled] hath taken away their understanding, and hath troubled them as if they had dranke some amazing or sleeping drinke In his vomit] namely, whilest he is yet overcome with drink. Or, reeling amongst his ordures.

Isaiah 19:15

Which the head] that is to say, which either great or small shall doe.

Isaiah 19:16

Of the shaking] he alludes to Exodus 14:26.

Isaiah 19:17

The Land] the Egyptians shall be dismayed and terrified by the newes of the conquest and desolation of Judea, as well by reason of the neighbourhood, as also because Judeastood as a wall before Egypt. And because there was the same cause of warre between the Chaldeans and Egypt, as was betweene Judea and the Chaldeans, Jeremiah 37:5. and especially because God having not spared his own people, would much lesse spare the Egyptians Against it] namely, Egypt.

Isaiah 19:18

In that day] after these and other evils are fallen upon Egypt, I will communnicate my knowledge and grace, to a great part of them, in the time of the Messias Speake the] namely, they shall serve one God: Figurative termes, taken from that, God having chosen to himselfe one onely people would be called upon in one onely language which was by him sanctified, see Nehem. 13. 24. And sweare] the word oath being often taken for a summary professing of the true God. Psalms 63:11 Isaiah 45:23. The City] called by some authors Heliopo’is, Jeremiah 43:13. where the most solemne idolatry was used. The meaning is, that the greatest Idolaters should be converted, and turne to the true God.

Isaiah 19:19

An Altar] a figure taken from the ancient custome of setting up Pillars and Monuments in manner of Altars consecrated to God, for a memoriall that they did professe the true religion, see Genesis 28:18. Exod. 24 4. Joshua 22:10; Joshua 22:27. At the border] upon the confines of the Land of Israel. He hath a relation to that which was done, Joshua 22:10. for a testimonial and bond of their communion in Gods true service.

Isaiah 19:20

For a signe] for a proofe of their voluntary binding themselves to God, and his service He shall send them] he shal make them partakers of everlasting salvation acquired by Jesus Christ, soveraigne King of his Church.

Isaiah 19:21

And shall doe] according to the stile of the Prophets, he describeth the spirituall service, with words signifying the old ceremoniall service.

Isaiah 19:22

And heale it] he shall restore and re-establish it, especially in a spirituall way.

Isaiah 19:23

A high way] instead of great and bloudy warres, which these Nations have had one with another, they shall be reconciled, and re-united in Christ, in the peace of the Spirit.

Isaiah 19:24

Shall Israel be] that is to say, it shall have as much right and share as the Gentiles which are called by the Gospell. Which is spoken as well in regard of those Jewes which God enlightened at the beginning of the Gospell, as of their full conversion and calling, which shall be at the appointed time, see Romans 11:12; Romans 11:26. Ephesians 2:14.

Isaiah 19:25

The worke of] not onely because of their first creation, but also by reason of their spirituall regeneration in Christ, Psalms 100:3. Ephesians 2:10.