Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:9
Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.
9. Textile manufactures, linen and cotton, flourished greatly in ancient Egypt. fine flax ] combed flax (R.V.). For networks read white-stuffs, probably cotton.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
They that work in short flax – Egypt was celebrated anciently for producing flax in large quantities, and of a superior quality (see Exo 9:31; 1Ki 10:28). The fine linen of Egypt which was manufactured from this is celebrated in Scripture Pro 7:16; Eze 27:7. The Egyptians had early carried the art of manufacturing linen to a great degree of perfection. As early as the exode of the Hebrews, we find that the art was known by which stuffs made of linen or other materials were curiously worked and embroidered. And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine-twined linen, made with needlework (Exo 26:36; compare Exo 27:16; Exo 36:37). So Eze 27:7 : Fine linen, with broidered work from Egypt. So also Martial refers to embroidery with the needle in Egypt:
Haec tibi Memphitis tellus dat munera; victa est
Pectine Niliaco jam Babylonis acus.
Martial, xiv. Ep. 50.
In regard to the fineness of the linen which was produced and made in Egypt, we may introduce a statement made by Pliny when speaking of the nets which were made there. So delicate, says he, were some of them, that they would pass through a mans ring, and a single person could carry a sufficient number of them to surround a whole wood. Julius Lupus, who died while governor of Egypt, had some of those nets, each string of which consisted of 150 threads; a fact perfectly surprising to those who are not aware that the Rhodians preserve to this day, in the temple of Minerva, the remains of a linen corslet, presented to them by Amasis, king of Egypt, whose threads are composed each of 365 fibres. (Pliny, xix. 1.) Herodotus also mentions this corslet (iii. 47), and also another presented by Amasis to the Lacedemonians, which had been carried off by the Samians: It was of linen, ornamented with numerous figures of animals, worked in gold and cotton.
Each thread of the corslet was worthy of admiration. For though very fine, every one was composed of 360 other threads, all distinct; the quality being similar to that dedicated to Minerva at Lindus, by the same monarch. Pliny (xix. 1) mentions four kinds of linen that were particularly celebrated in Egypt – the Tanitic, the Pelusiac, the Butine, and the tentyritic. He also says that the quantity of flax cultivated in Egypt was accounted for, by their exporting linen to Arabia and India. It is now known, also, that the cloth used for enveloping the dead, and which is now found in abundance on the mummies, was linen. This fact was long doubted, and it was until recently supposed by many that the cloth was made of cotton. This fact that it is linen was settled beyond dispute by some accurate experiments made by Dr. Ure, Mr. Bauer, and Mr. Thompson, with the aid of powerful microscopes.
It was found that linen fibres uniformly present a cylindrical form, transparent, and articulated, or jointed like a cane, while the fibres of cotton have the appearance of a flat ribbon, with a hem or border at the edge. In the mummy cloths, it was found, without exception, that the fibres were linen. Vast quantities of linen must, therefore, have been used. The linen of the mummy cloths is generally coarse. The warp usually contains about 90 threads in the inch; the woof about 44. Occasionally, however, very fine linen cloth is found, showing the skill with which the manufacture was executed. Sir John G. Wilkinson observes, that a piece of linen in his possession from Egypt had 540 (or 270 double) threads in one inch in the warp. Some of the cambric which is now manufactured has but 160 threads in the inch in the warp, and 140 in the woof. It is to be remembered, also, that the linen in Egypt was spun by hand, and without the aid of machinery (see, on this whole subject, Wilkinsons Ancient Egyptians, vol. iii. pp. 113-142. Ed. Lond. 1837). The word rendered fine here denotes, according to Gesenius, combed or hatchelled. The word fine, however, expresses the idea with sufficient accuracy. Fine linen was used for clothing; but was so expensive that it was worn chiefly by the rich and by princes Luk 16:19.
They that weave networks – Margin, White-works. According to Gesenius the word horay means white linen – that which is fully bleached. The word hod means a hole or cavern, but is not applied to cloth. The parallelism seems rather to require that the word should mean white, or that which would correspond to fine, or valuable; and it is not known that the Egyptians had the art of working lace from linen. Saadias supposes that nets are meant, as being made with holes or meshes; but it is evident that a finer work is intended than that.
Shall be confounded – Hebrew, Shall be ashamed. That is, they shall be thrown out of employment, and not know what to do.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. They that work in fine flax] 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
That work in fine flax; that make fine linen, which was one of their best commodities; of which See Poole “1Ki 10:28“, See Poole “Pro 7:16“, See Poole “Eze 27:7“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. fine flaxGESENIUS,for “fine,” translates, “combed”; fine “linen”was worn by the rich only (Lu16:19). Egypt was famous for it (Exo 9:31;1Ki 10:28; Pro 7:16;Eze 27:7). The processes of itsmanufacture are represented on the Egyptian tombs. Israel learned theart in Egypt (Ex 26:36). Thecloth now found on the mummies was linen, as is shown by themicroscope. WILKINSONmentions linen from Egypt which has five hundred forty (or twohundred seventy double) threads in one inch in the warp; whereas somemodern cambric has but a hundred sixty [BARNES].
networksrather, whitecloth (Est 1:6; Est 8:16).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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 with them, 1Ki 10:28 but now would have no flax to work, that being withered and gone which was sown by the sides of the brooks, Isa 19:7 and no linen cloth or yarn to sell, and consequently in great confusion and distress, as they are here represented l. The Targum renders the whole verse thus,
“they shall be confounded which work flax, which they comb, and of it weave nets;”
and so Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it, not of persons that wrought in flax, to make yarn or linen of it; but who combed it, to make nets of it, as follows:
and they that weave networks shall be confounded: because they would have no sale for their nets, the fishermen having no use for them, the rivers being dried up. The word for “networks” signifies “holes”, because nets are made with holes large enough to let the water through, and so small that the fishes may not get out. Some render the word “white works” m, white linen, white cloth, of which white garments are made, such as nobles and princes formerly wore; hence, in the Hebrew language, they are called by a name of the same root and signification; but the former sense seems best.
l is by us rendered “fine”; and so, Ben Melech says, in the Arabic language the best and finest linen is called ; and so says Kimchi in Sepher Shorash.; with which Schindler agrees, Arab. , sericum or “muslin”; but it is a question whether this is of so early a date, and especially not fit to make nets of. De Dieu and Bochart think it denotes the colour of the linen, which was yellow, that being the best; but others render it “combed”. m “et textores alborum operum”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
9. And they who work in the finest flax. As he spoke of mourning, so he now speaks of shame; for they who formerly earned an abundant livelihood by this trade will have no gains. Now, the two occupations are closely connected, to weave nets and to fish. Yet it is doubtful if he speaks of those only who manufactured nets; for if we understand שריקות, ( sĕrīkōth) to mean certain very fine linens, it is probable that the latter clause relates to other productions of the loom, manufactured out of small fine thread, and of the most elegant workmanship. We know that linens of very great value were woven in Egypt, and there may be good reason for interpreting the phrase white nets, or, as we have rendered it, “perforated,” to mean also linen garments, which were more costly in proportion to the greater delicacy of their texture.
It will thus be a metaphorical expression, by which the Prophet indirectly taunts them with their unbecoming luxury, alleging that the Egyptians cover themselves with linen garments in the same manner as if they clothed themselves with a net. If this meaning be adopted, it will agree with the following verse; and indeed I do not see how such exquisite skill in weaving can be applied to fishing. But if it be thought better to understand the whole as relating to fishes, the meaning will be, that they who had been much employed in fishing, and had found it to be a profitable occupation, will be overwhelmed with sorrow. (33)
(33) Bogus footnote
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(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 (1Ki. 10:28; Eze. 27:7).
They that weave networks.Better, white cloths, the cotton or byssus fabrics for which Egypt was famous.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Fine flax In Hebrew, hatchelled flax.
Networks White linen. Gesenius. Pro 7:16; Eze 27:7.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Moreover those who work in combed flax, and those who weave white cloth (or ‘cotton’) will be ashamed. And her pillars will be broken in pieces, and all those who work for hire will be grieved in soul.’
The blight will even affect the makers of combed flax and linen. Supplies will have dried up, and what is available will produce shoddy products. The entrepreneurs, the pillars of industry, will be bankrupted, their workforces unemployed and unpaid resulting in grief of soul. The greatness of Egypt and its wealth will be no more. It is a picture of total economic collapse.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Isa 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 Isa 19:7 1Ki 10:28 Pro 7:16 Eze 27:7 (Plin., lib. ix. cap. 1).
They that weave networks.
a , Albi seu candidati.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
weave. Occurs in the “former” portion only here, and in Isa 38:12; and in the “latter” portion only in Isa 59:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
work: 1Ki 10:28, Pro 7:16, Eze 27:7, net works, or, white works