Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:8
The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.
8. Fishing, one of the staple industries of Egypt, is first mentioned, as that most immediately affected (cf. Exo 7:21). The two methods referred to, angling and net-fishing, are both depicted on the monuments.
that cast angle into the brooks ] R.V. Nile.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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 Num 11:5, as producing great quantities of fish. We remember the fish which we did eat in Eypt freely. The Nile, says Diodorus (i.), abounds with incredible numbers of all sorts of fish. The same was true of the artificial canals, and lakes, and reservoirs of water Isa 19:10. Herodotus (ii. 93) says that large quantities of fish were produced in the Nile: At the season of spawning, says he, they move in vast multitudes toward the sea. As soon as that season is over they leave the sea, return up the river, and endeavor to regain their accustomed haunts. As a specimen of his credulity, however, and also of the attention which he bestowed on natural history, the reader may consult the passage here referred to in regard to the mode of their propagation.
He also says that it is observed of the fish that are taken in their passage to the sea, that they have the left part of their heads depressed. Of those that are taken on their return, the right side of the head is found to be depressed. This he accounts for by observing, that the cause of this is obvious: as they pass to the sea they rub themselves on the banks on the left side; as they return they keep closely to the same bank, and, in both instances, press against it, that they may not be obliged to deviate from their course by the current of the stream. Speaking of the Lake Moeris, Herodotus says, that for six months the lake empties itself into the Nile, and the remaining six, the Nile supplies the lake. During the six months in which the waters ebb, the fishing which is here carried on furnishes the royal treasury with a talent of silver (about 180) every day (ii. 149). The silver which the fishery of this lake produced, was appropriated to find the queen with clothes and perfumes. (Diod. i. 52.) The Lake Moeris is now farmed for 30 purses (about 193) annually.
Michaud says that the Lake Menzaleh now yields an annual revenue of 800 purses, about 5364. The great abundance of fish produced in the Nile was an invaluable provision of nature, in a country which had neither extended pasture grounds, nor large herds of cattle, and where grain was the principal production. When the Nile inundated the country, and filled the lakes and canals with its overflowing waters, these precious gifts were extended to the most remote villages in the interior of the valley, and the plentiful supply of fish which they obtained was an additional benefit conferred upon them at this season of the year. (Wilkinsons Ancient Egyptians, vol. iii. pp. 62, 63.) Hence, the greatness of the calamity here referred to by the prophet when the lakes and canals should be dried up. The whole country would feel it.
And all they that cast angle – Two kinds of fishermen are mentioned – those who used a hook, and those who used the net. The former would fish mainly in the brooks or canals that were cut from the Nile to water their lands. For the various methods of fishing, illustrated by drawings, the reader may consult Wilklnsons Ancient Egyptians, vol. ii. p. 21; vol. iii. p. 53ff.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 8. The fishers also – “And the fishers”] There was great plenty of fish in Egypt; see Nu 11:5. “The Nile,” says Diodorus, lib. i., “abounds with incredible numbers of all sorts of fish.” And much more the lakes. So Egmont, Pococke, &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Because they could catch few or no fish, by which trade they got their living; which also was a great plague to the people, whose common diet this was, because out of superstitious conceits they killed and eat but few living creatures, as appears both from sacred and profane writers.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. fishersThe Nile was famedfor fish (Nu 11:5); many wouldbe thrown out of employment by the failure of fishes.
anglea hook. Used inthe “brooks” or canals, as the “net” was in “thewaters” of the river itself.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The fishers also shall mourn,…. Because there will be no fish to catch, the waters of the river being dried up, and so will have none to sell, and nothing to support themselves and families with; and this must also affect the people in general, fish being the common food they lived upon, see Nu 11:5, not only because of the great plenty there usually was, but because they killed and ate but very few living creatures, through a superstitious regard unto them; though Herodotus says h the Egyptian priests might not taste of fishes, yet the common people might; for, according to that historian i, when the river Nile flowed out of the lake of Moeris, a talent of silver every day was brought into the king’s treasury, arising from the profit of fish; and when it flowed in, twenty pounds; nay, he expressly says k, that some of them live upon fish only, gutted, and dried with the sun:
and all they that cast angle, or hook,
into the brooks shall lament; which describes one sort of fishermen, and way of catching fishes, with the angle and hook, as the following clause describes another sort:
and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish; be dispirited and enfeebled for want of trade and subsistence, and with grief and horror.
h Euterpe, sive l. 2. c. 37. i Ibid. c. 149. k Ibid. c. 92.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
8. And the fishers shall mourn. Isaiah still keeps in his eye the condition of Egypt. We have formerly mentioned (32) that the prophets made use of those figures of speech by which, when any country is mentioned, they chiefly name those things which abound in that country, and for which it is celebrated. Thus, when a vinebearing country is spoken of, they mention vines; if it abound in gold, they speak of gold; and if it abound in silver, they speak of silver. Accordingly, when he speaks of Egypt, which was well watered, and contained abundance of streams, he mentions fishing.
They who spread a net on the face of the waters shall languish. Some translate the word אמללו, (ă mlālū,) “they shall be cut off,” but the more correct rendering is, “they shall be weakened;” for this corresponds to the mourning and lamentation which was formerly mentioned. Now, we know that in that country there was a great number of fishers, and that these formed a great part of the wealth of Egypt. When fishers were taken away, of whom there were vast numbers among the Egyptians, and of whom their wealth chiefly consisted, they must have been weakened. Now, if the nation be deprived of that which is its ordinary food, great poverty will follow. He therefore describes an astonishing change that shall pass on the whole country.
(32) Bogus footnote
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(8) The fishers also shall mourn.With the failure of the river, one at least of the industries of Egypt failed also. Fish had at all times formed part of the diet of the working-classes of Egypt (Herod. ii. 93; Num. 11:5), and the pictures of Egyptian life continually represent the two modes of fishing, with the angle or hook, and with the net.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
8. Fishers they that cast angle spread nets Arts and manufactures, and the fishery trade, all suffer. Fish and vegetables were the food of the people on account of their superstition respecting animal food. The lower classes were greatly affected by famines, cruel labours, and civil disturbances.
Spread nets The net is not used at this day; anciently it was used, as proved by the fishnets found on the monuments.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 19:8-10. The fishers also shall mourn The prophet here sets forth the common and universal grief of the Egyptian nation, upon the calamity above described. The 10th verse should be rendered, And their stamina [or networks] shall be broken; all that make drag-nets for pond-fish [shall be confounded]. In this passage three things are supposed; first, that the fish in Egypt, as well in the Nile, as in the lakes and ponds which were formed by the waters of that river, were abundant; secondly, that flax, and that of the better kind, was used for fishing; and thirdly, that this flax was of Egypt; particulars well known from history: hence the letter of the passage is clear enough. The metaphorical sense is this: the persons who reaped advantage from the Nile and its branches were the fishermen, and the makers of nets for those fishermen; who may be considered in a more general or particular view. If we consider them in general, by the fishermen of the Nile may be understood all the Egyptians of the higher class, who from the abundance of that kingdom gained their wealth; and by the makers of the nets for the fishermen, those of inferior rank in the state, who are doomed to labour for the advantage of others. If under this general sense a more particular one may be included, the fishermen may mean those in the state, who, by their superior policy and art, whether by the hook or net, gained wealth and advantages to themselves, and kept all the meaner artificers and mechanics in subordination to them. The former, the Demetriuses, who made the silver shrines; the latter, the craftsmen who had their livelihood thence. See Act 19:24. The plain meaning is, that all the inhabitants of Egypt, high and low, should mutually deplore this common calamity.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Isa 19:8 The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.
Ver. 8. The fishers also shall mourn. ] Because their trade decayeth, or they take pains to no purpose. Isa 19:10
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
mourn. See note on Isa 3:26.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Exo 7:21, Num 11:5, Eze 47:10, Hab 1:15
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
19:8 The fishermen also shall {h} mourn, and all they that cast hook into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.
(h) The Scriptures describe the destruction of a country by the taking away of the conveniences of it, as by vines, flesh, fish and such other things by which countries are enriched.