Bible Commentary

The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, [even they that are] the stay of the tribes thereof. 13. are become fools ] Better are befooled “stultified.” Noph is Memphis, the capital of Lower Egypt, and an ancient seat of Egyptian religion and learning. An … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:13”

Where [are] they? where [are] thy wise [men]? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt. 12. The Pharaoh is now addressed in turn. Where are they, pray, thy wise men? In face of this problem they are nowhere; they cannot “know,” far less … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:12”

Surely the princes of Zoan [are] fools, the counsel of the wise counselors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I [am] the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? 11. Surely fools ] Mere fools are the princes of Zoan. Zoan (Tanis, between the two most easterly mouths of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:11”

And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices [and] ponds for fish. 10. Translate as R.V. And her pillars shall be broken in pieces, all they that work for hire shall be grieved in soul. The expressions, however, are very obscure, and the sense is doubtful. The word for “pillars” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:10”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:9”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:8”

The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no [more]. 7. The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks ] Usually rendered as in R.V., “The meadows by the Nile, by the brink … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:7”

And they shall turn the rivers far away; [and] the brooks of defense shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither. 6. The verse reads: And the streams shall stink, the canals of Egypt shall become feeble and dry up, &c. The word for “stink” is an anomalous form in Hebr. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:6”

And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up. 5. It has been supposed by some that there is a causal connexion between the judgments here threatened and the political calamities described in the first strophe. The loss of a stable and beneficent central administration in Egypt … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:5”

And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts. 4. R.V. And I will give over (lit. “shut up”) the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel (“hard”) lord (in Hebr. plur. of majesty), &c. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 19:4”