Isaiah 19
DortThe Prophet foretelleth the Egyptians, that the Lord would plague them many ways, vers.1. with intestine dissension, vers.2. so that they should find neither counsel not comfort by their Idols, 3. That severe Lords should reign over them, 4. He threateneth them with dead trading, 7. And that he would bring their counsels to nought, 11. Their terror before the Lord, 16. A Prophecy that the Egyptians should be called to the fellowship of the Christian church, 18, etc.
1. The burden of Egypt. [See above chap.15.1.] Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and he shall come into Egypt: [Intimating that the LORD would suddenly and unawares seize upon the Egyptians. Compare Psal.18.10. and 104.3. (upon a swift cloud) Hebr. Light cloud. There are very seldom clouds seen in Egypt, there being no rain: therefore it is somewhat strange and fearful to see clouds there] and the Idols of Egypt shall be moved [Here unto Idols, which are nothing, motion is ascribed. The meaning is this, the Idols shall lose their authority with the Egyptians, because they were not able to deliver them from the hands of their enemies] at his face, [That is, by reason of his coming and presence] and the heart of the Egyptians shall melt in their inner-most (parts.)
2. For I will entangle the Egyptians, (so) that they shall fight every one against his brother, and everyone against his neighbour: [Hebr. The man against his brother, and the man against his fellow, or, companion. The meaning is, I will raise up an intestine war in Egypt, so that they shall destroy one another. See the like passage, 2 Chron.20.23.] City against City, Kingdom against Kingdom. [That is, Country against Country, Province against Providence. It seemeth that the Prophet hath respect here, unto that which happened in Egypt after the death of King Sethon, when twelve petty Kings rose up, and rent or divided the Kingdom of Egypt in sunder, and each of them drew a part of it unto themselves]
3. And the spirit of the Egyptians [That is, their valour, courage, or, understanding. See Prov.15.on vers.13.] shall be emptied [To wit, by those long-lasting devour [That is, disannul, or, bring to nought] their counsel: [That is, their enterprises, purposes, designs. The meaning is, I will so vex them, that they shall not be able to find any counsel, or way of escaping] then shall they ask counsel of their Idols, and of the enchanters, and of the sooth-sayers, and of the Necromancers.
4. And I will shut up the Egyptians in the hand of hard Lords, [Understand by these hard Lords, those twelve Tyrants, who thrust in themselves for Kings in Egypt, after the death of Sethon. Oth. Of an hard, or, cruel Lord; and they understand this so, as if the Prophet here spake of King Nebuchadnezar; and they apply this unto that which is written Jerem.46 26.] and a severe King shall Psalmmetychus, one of those twelve Tyrants, who being first expelled and chased out of the land by the other eleven, but afterward getting by force into Egypt again, and ruling alone, without any co-partners in the government, committed great tyranny.]
5. And they [To wit, those twelve Tyrants. But some apply it unto Nebuchadnezar, and his successors] shall cause the waters to perish from the Sea: [To wit, by this means: They digged a great ditch, into which they carried the river Nilus, which channel and gathering of waters is called by the ancient Writers the Sea Maerios; so that the Prophet will here intimate that they should carry away the waters from Nilus, and should lay the channel thereof dry. (They shall cause the waters to perish from the Sea:) that is, from the river Nilus. The Hebrews call all great gatherings of waters, Seas. Oth. They shall cause the waters to perish, that they run not into the sea] and the river shall run out by drops (or by little and little,) and dry away. [If here by the river, be meant Nilus, then is here expert by another word that which immediately before was called the sea.]
6. They shall also drive the rivers [Or, streams, or, floods, to wit, which run from Nilus, and which here and there were derived through the land, to moisten and water the land of running through it] far back, they shall empty them, and dry up the dammed streams. [Hebr. The streams of keeping, shutting up, or defence, understanding thereby the waters that were shut in with dams or dikes, and were carried through the land] the reed and the bulrush shall wither.
7. The paper-plant [The Hebrew word signifieth properly little thin skins, or, rinds. Here is to be noted, that among the Greeks and Latines, Papyrus signifieth a plant which chiefly growth in Moorish places in Egypt, about ten cubits high, which with a needle may be parted and divided a sunder into thin broad leaves, which being dried and prepared, maketh very fit writing-paper. From this sort of paper hath ours, (and doth still retain to this very day) its name, although it doth not grow, as the other did, but is made of Linen Rags] by the streams, by the banks of the streams, and all that is sown by the streams, shall dry away, it shall be thrust away, and be no (more.)
8. And the Fishers shall mourn, [Because they can catch no more fish, for want of water, and that therefore their gain and way of getting their living shall cease. There was great store of fish eaten in Egypt, in regard they did out of superstition, kill and eat but few beasts] and all they that cast angle into the streams, shall lament: and they that spread abroad the casting-net upon the waters [Heb. Upon the face, that is, upon the upper-most part of the waters] shall pine away.
9. And the workers in fine flax, [Or, in carded flax; that is, those that make costly, precious, or fine linen-cloth] shall be ashamed, [Or, be put to shame, be confounded; to wit, because they shall fall into poverty, their trading with foreign Nations ceasing, and that for want of flax, which otherwise was wont to grow very fair, and in great quantity by the brooks in Egypt,] also the weavers of white stuff. [To wit, made of Egyptians flax, of which kind of stuff or flax the Princes and Noble-men had their garments made, as appeareth, Esth.8.15. who from thence were called Chorim, that is, white ones.]
10. And they shall be broken to Shivers (with,) their foundations, [Oth. With their counsels, or, purposes. Oth. With their nets] all that (for) wages make pleasant standing waters. [Hebr. Pools of the soul; that is, of delight: that is, pleasant, delightful, pals, ponds, or great waters, as lakes, which Tyrants caused to be made for their own pleasure and delight. Oth. Ponds, or, pools of fishes, or, of living things. It is concerned that the Prophet in this verse, speaketh of that great task, which the Tyrants that ruled in Egypt, laid upon their subjects, causing them both by money and compulsion to dig a sea, pool, channel, or depth, being 3600. Furlongs in compass, wither they could carry the water from, Nilus, and could carry it in thither again, which was called the lake, gulf, or sea Milrios: To the digging hereof those Kings used or employed some thousands of their subjects. (And they shall be broken to shivers, &c.) As if he had said, they hire unto themselves for great wages labourer to make pleasant and delightful fish-ponds, but the foundations of the earth shall many ways fall down in Egypt, so that all those that labour in and about those ponds, shall by falling down of the foundations be bruised and broken to shivers.]
11. Surely the princes of Zion [This city is called by the Greeks and Latines Tanes, lying hard by the river Nilus. Hence the mouth of the river Nilus is called Ostium Tanicum. In this city the King of Egypts counsellors held their college or assembly. Of Zoan is also mention made, Numb.3.22. and Psal.78.12.] are fools, the counsel of the wise, (even) of Pharaohs Counsellors is become bruish: how can ye (then) say unto Pharaoh, I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient Kings? [This is a speech made to the Counsellors of Sethon, who is called Pharaoh in this place. Pharaoh being a common name of all the Kings of Egypt: Yea some are of opinion that Pharaoh in the Egyptian language, signifieth a King. See Genes. Chap.12.on vers.15. Oth. How speak ye in the person of Pharaoh? As if the Prophet had said, how do ye act the person of the King, and teach him to speak so proudly? Whereas indeed this same Sethon was a meer fool, as Herodotus testifieth. Others take these words thus, How can ye (that is, every one of you) say unto Pharaoh, and speak it in a bragging way, I am a son of the wise and learned men: A son of ancient Kings art thou, O King; that is, a son descended from Kings of ancient times.]
12. Where are now thy wise men? [To wit, O King. Oth. Where are they now?] (where) are now thy wise-men? Let them tell thee now, or (let them) understand what the LORD hath determined against Egypt.
13. The Princes [That is, the chief ones] of Zoan are become fools, [This came to pass by the judgement of God, who turned their wisdom into folly] the Princes of Noph [Otherwise called Moph, Hos.9.6. In the Histories of Pegans or heathens this city is called Memphis, and now-a-days Alcair, or Cair, which at this day is a famous city in Egypt] are deceived, they shall also cause Egypt to Wander (unto) the uttermost corner of the tribes thereof. [The meaning is, they shall set all Egypt in an uproar, so that no corner of it shall be free. Others take it thus: Yea even the chiefest among the Rulers, who it thus: Yea even the chiefest among the Rulers, who are called corners, or, corner-stones, because the common-wealth resteth upon them as upon corner-stones]
14. The LORD hath poured in [Oth. Shall pour in: and presently after, they shall cause of Egypt, &c.] a very perverse spirit [Or, a spirit of perverseness’s, or, of forwardness’s] in the midst of them, [The meaning is, God hath deprived them of all wisdom and understanding, so that they can neither give good counsel, nor know whence or whither to turn or wind themselves] and they have caused Egypt to serve in all (or, every) work thereof, as a drunkard walloweth to and fro in his vomit. [Or, casteth himself to and fro in his vomit. Hebr. Strayeth in his vomit. The more a drunkard, when he lieth in his vomit stirs, and turneth, the more he defileth himself: So likewise (as the Prophet here intimateth) the more these perverse Counsellors go on in giving counsel, the more harm and mischief they do: Therefore it were better that they would keep themselves quiet.]
15. And there shall be no work for the Egyptians, which the head or the tail, the branch or the rush may do. [The prophet intimateth by these words, that all things should be in such a confusion in Egypt, as that neither persons of high nor low degree should have their wits or senses about them, so that no businesses should prosper, or be brought o perfection. Herodotus writeth in Euterpe, that Psammetychus King of Egypt lay with a mighty army 29 years compleat before the City of Azotus]
16. In that day shall the Egyptians be like unto women: [To wit, fearful, as it followeth] and they shall tremble and fear, because of the moving of the hand of tremble and fear, because of the moving of the hand of the LORD of Hosts, [Hebr. From the face of the moving of his hands] which he shall move against them. [To wit, against the Egyptians.]
17. And the land of Juda shall be a terror unto the Egyptians, whosoever shall make mention of it, he shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of Hosts, which he hath determined against them. [The Prophet doth intimate, that the Egyptians hearings, that Sanherib had marched through the land of Juda, should Sanherib had marched through the land of Juda, should be terrified and afraid, fearing that he would come, and take their land likewise, as it also happened, as Herodotus in Euterpe testifieth: withal relating that Setho King of Egypt, being void of counsel, fell down before his Idol, complaining to him in what danger and distress he was. Oth. Understand these words thus, the Egyptians shall fear God they shall also be afraid of the people of Israel, when they shall see that they are so miraculously preserved & protected by God. Compare Exo.14.25.]
18. In that day there shall be five cities in Egypt, [That is, certain cities; that is, men dwelling in certain cities; to wit, such as by the determinate counsel of God are chosen or ordained unto eternal life.] speaking the language of Canaan, [Heb. Which shall speak with the lip of Canaan, as Gen.11.vers.1. that is, they shall speak of Gods word, which is written in the language of Canaan, that is, in the Hebrew language, or Hebrew tongue: and they shall suffer themselves to be instructed by the believing Jews in the way of Salvation] swearing unto the LORD of hosts, [that is, they shall engage themselves to the true God by oath, forsaking, and forswearing false Gods. The meaning is, they shall receive and embrace the true Religion. See Deut.10.20. and Jer.12.16.] one shall be called a city of destruction] to wit, because it had been destroyed aforetime, or was nigh to be destroyed, but by the mercy of God was saved. Others, every one, as above chap.6.2.
19. In that day shall the LORD have an altar in the midst of the Land of Egypt, [That is, the true worship of God shall be exercised there, which in the time of the Prophet was wont to be done nigh or upon the altar] and a token set up at their border for the LORD, [that is, they shall publicly receive and embrace the Lord for their God, and make public profession of him: in token whereof they shall set up this token openly. Compare herewith Gen.28.18. Exod.24.4. Isa.4.ver.8, and 20. And chap.22. ver.10. at their border; to wit, the border of the Egyptians: Or, at her border, to wit, Egypts border.]
20. And it [Or, that; to wit, altar] shall be for a token, and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the Land of Egypt, [that is, that the Lord is honoured and worshipped of the Egyptians. See Jos.24.27.] for they [to wit, the Egyptians] shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressions, and he shall send them a saviour, [to wit, the Lord Jesus Christ] and a master [Others, Great one, or, Ruler, Captain] the same shall deliver them.
21. And the LORD shall be known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day: and they shall serve (him with) slay-offering, and meat-offering, [Compare Malachi 1:11.] and they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and pay (it.)
22. And the LORD shall smite the Egyptians valiantly [Heb. Smiting smite] and heal (them): [or, yet not to their destruction, but he shall heal them again, giving them faith in Christ, and the spirit of sanctification] and they shall return unto the LORD, and he shall suffer himself to be entreated of them, [See Gen.25.21. and 2 Sam.24.25.] and he shall heal them.
23. In that day there shall be a path-way, [That is, a common road or passage] from Egypt into Assyria, (so) that the Assyrians shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptians into Assyria: [the meaning is, the believers of the Assyrians and Egyptians shall shew love and friendship to one another, when they both shall have embraced the Christian Religion: for the Prophet speaketh here of the calling of the Gentiles unto Christ] and the Egyptians shall with the Assyrians serve (the LORD) [or, shall do service; to wit, unto God, with an upright heart and affection. Others, the Egyptians shall serve the Assyrians, or, beat their service, embracing each other in Christians love, whereas formerly they were enemies one to another, and made war one against another.]
24. In that day shall Israel be the third with the Egyptians, and with the Assyrians, a blessing in the midst of the land. [The Prophet sheweth further in this verse, that the believing Jews should keep good correspondency and brotherly fellowship with the heathen or gentiles that should be converted unto the true God, (In that day shall Israel be the third) or even the third, or, the very third, (with the Egyptians, and with the Assyrians) under these two Nations are also other Gentiles understood and comprehended, (a blessing in the midst of the land) or, in the midst on earth; that is, throughout the whole world, namely when the gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world.]
25. For the LORD of hosts shall bless them, [To wit, the Israelites, or the Egyptians, or the Assyrians. Others, shall bless it; to wit, the land: or, shall bless it; to wit, the people] saying, Blessed he my people the Egyptians, and the Assyrians the work of mine hands, born again of the holy Ghost, and being therefore new creatures] and Israel mine inheritance. [that is my dearly beloved, whom of old I have, and do still possess as mine inheritance. Others, whom the LORD of Hosts shall bless, sayings Be blessed my people of Egypt, and O Assyria the work of mine hands, and O Israel mine inheritance.]