Isaiah 19
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
By the significant type of breaking a potter's vessel, Jeremiah is directed to predict the utter desolation of Judah and Jerusalem, Jer 19:1-15. The prophets taught frequently by symbolic actions as well as by words.
Open source ↗(Isa. 19:1-25) burden--(See on Isa 13:1). upon . . . cloud-- (Psa 104:3; Psa 18:10). come into Egypt--to inflict vengeance. "Egypt," in Hebrew, Misraim, plural form, to express the two regions of Egypt. BUNSEN observes, The title of their kings runs thus: "Lord of Upper and Lower Egypt." idols--the bull, crocodile, &c. The idols poetically are said to be "moved" with fear at the presence of one mightier than even they were supposed to be (Exo 12:12; Jer 43:12).
Open source ↗The burden of Egypt;.... Or a prophecy concerning Egypt, as the Arabic version; a very grievous one, declaring many calamities that should come upon them. The Targum is, "the burden of the cup of cursing, to make the Egyptians drink.'' The people of the Jews reposed great confidence in the Egyptians their allies; wherefore, in order to break this confidence, it was necessary they should be acquainted with the destruction that was coming upon them, which is the design of this prophecy. Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud: or a "light" one (q) denoting the speed with which he came, he would come quickly, light clouds move swiftly; the suddenness and unexpectedness of his coming, clouds being rarely seen in Egypt, where was no rain; and the irresistible power with which he would come, for who or what can stop the clouds of heaven? not anything on earth, not armies, nor castles, and fortified places. The Lord is represented as riding in great state and majesty, as a general at the head of his army against his enemies; or as a judge going to try and condemn criminals; he rides upon the heavens, walks on the wings of the wind, and the clouds are his chariot, Psa 68:4 so Christ is represented as coming in the clouds of heaven, and as sitting on a white cloud, when he shall come to judge the world, Rev 1:7 though these words are not to be understood of that coming of his; and much less of his first coming in the flesh, to which they are weakly applied by Jerom and others; who, by the light cloud, understand the Virgin Mary, as the Christians of Syria; or the human nature of Christ, as Salmero, who relates, that upon Christ's flight into Egypt, and entering into Heliopolis, and the temple there, in which were as many idols as days of the year, they all fell, and so this p…
Open source ↗The oracle opens with a short introduction, condensing the whole of the substance of the first half into a few weighty words - an art in which Isaiah peculiarly excelled. In this the name of Egypt, the land without an equal, occurs no less than three times. "Behold, Jehovah rideth upon a light cloud, and cometh to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt shake before Him, and the heart of Egypt melteth within it." Jehovah rides upon clouds when He is about to reveal Himself in His judicial majesty (Psa 18:11); and in this instance He rides upon a light cloud, because it will take place rapidly. The word kal signifies both light and swift, because what is light moves swiftly; and even a light cloud, which is light because it is thin, is comparatively עב, i.e., literally dense, opaque, or obscure. The idols of Egypt shake נוּע, as in Isa 6:4; Isa 7:2), because Jehovah comes over them to judgment (cf., Exo 12:12; Jer 46:25; Eze 30:13): they must shake, for they are to be thrown down; and their shaking for fear is a shaking to their fall נוּע, as in Isa 24:20; Isa 29:9). The Vav apodosis in ונעוּ together the cause and effect, as in Isa 6:7. - In what judgments the judgment will be fulfilled, is now declared by the majestic Judge Himself.
Open source ↗Though the land of Egypt had of old been a house of bondage to the people of God, where they had been ruled with rigour, yet among the unbelieving Jews there still remained much of the humour of their fathers, who said, Let us make us a captain and return into Egypt. Upon all occasions they trusted to Egypt for help (Isa 30:2), and thither they fled, in disobedience to God's express command, when things were brought to the last extremity in their own country, Jer 43:7. Rabshakeh upbraided Hezekiah with this, Isa 36:6. While they kept up an alliance with Egypt, and it was a powerful ally, they stood not in awe of the judgments of God; for against them they depended upon Egypt to protect them. Nor did they depend upon the power of God when at any time they were in distress; but Egypt was their confidence. To prevent all this mischief, Egypt must be mortified, and many ways God here tells them he will take to mortify them. I. The gods of Egypt shall appear to them to be what they always really were, utterly unable to help them, Isa 19:1. "The Lord rides upon a cloud, a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt. As a judge goes in state to the bench to try and condemn the malefactors, or as a general takes the field with his troops to crush the rebels, so shall God come into Egypt with his judgments; and when he comes he will certainly overcome." In all this burden of Egypt here is no mention of any foreign enemy invading them; but God himself will come against them, and raise up the causes of their destruction from among themselves. He comes upon a cloud, above the reach of the opposition or resistance. He comes apace upon a swift cloud; for their judgment lingers not when the time has come. He rides upon the wings of the wind, with a majesty far excelling the greatest pomp a…
Open source ↗19:1–20:6 See also Jer 46; Ezek 29–32. 19:1-10 Egypt was vulnerable, depending on the Nile for food, fish, and industry. When the Lord struck the Nile, Egypt would be in dire straits, and their gods would not be able to help. 19:1 Riding on a swift cloud shows God’s sovereignty and power over creation (Ps 104:3). He is coming in judgment against Judah’s enemies (see Deut 33:26; Pss 18:9-10; 68:4; 97:2-3). • The idols of Egypt tremble because they are weak and impotent, unable to help (see Isa 40:18; 45:16; 46:1).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מַשָּׂא (massâʼ, H4853) — a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance,… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… קַל (qal, H7031) — light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial) עָב (ʻâb, H5645) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֱלִיל (ʼĕlîyl, H457) — good for nothing, by anal. vain or vanity; specifically an idol נוּעַ (nûwaʻ, H5128) — to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); מָסַס (mâçaç, H4549) — to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief) קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial…
Open source ↗סָכַךְ (çâkak, H5526) — properly, to entwine as ascreen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively)… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
Open source ↗רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt בָּקַק (bâqaq, H1238) — to pour out, i.e. to empty, figuratively, to depopulate; by analogy, to spread out (as a… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… בָּלַע (bâlaʻ, H1104) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… אֱלִיל (ʼĕlîyl, H457) — good for nothing, by anal. vain or vanity; specifically an idol אַט (ʼaṭ, H328) — (as a noun) a necromancer (from their soft incantations), (as an adverb) gently אוֹב (ʼôwb, H178) — properly, a mumble, i.e. a water skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer… יִדְּעֹנִי (yiddᵉʻônîy, H3049) — properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost
Open source ↗אֵת (ʼêth, H853) — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt סָכַר (çâkar, H5534) — to shut up; by implication, to surrender יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), קָשֶׁה (qâsheh, H7186) — severe (in various applications) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) עַז (ʻaz, H5794) — strong, vehement, harsh מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗זָנַח (zânach, H2186) — reject, forsake, fail נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr, H2975) — a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt,… מָצוֹר (mâtsôwr, H4693) — Egypt (as the border of Palestine) דָּלַל (dâlal, H1809) — to slacken or be feeble; figuratively, to be oppressed חָרַב (chârab, H2717) — to parch (through drought) i.e. (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill קָנֶה (qâneh, H7070) — a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem,… סוּף (çûwph, H5488) — a reed, especially the papyrus קָמַל (qâmal, H7060) — to wither
Open source ↗עָרָה (ʻârâh, H6169) — a naked (i.e. level) plot יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr, H2975) — a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt,… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… מִזְרָע (mizrâʻ, H4218) — a planted field יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… נָדַף (nâdaph, H5086) — to shove asunder, i.e. disperse
Open source ↗דַּיָּג (dayâg, H1771) — a fisherman אָנָה (ʼânâh, H578) — to groan שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively) חַכָּה (chakkâh, H2443) — a hook (as adhering) יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr, H2975) — a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt,… אָבַל (ʼâbal, H56) — to bewail פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. מִכְמֶרֶת (mikmereth, H4365) — a (fisher's) net פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen אָמַל (ʼâmal, H535) — to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn
Open source ↗עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. שְׂרִיקָה (sᵉrîyqâh, H8305) — hetchelling (or combing flax), i.e. (concretely) tow (by extension, linen cloth) פִּשְׁתֶּה (pishteh, H6593) — linen (i.e. the thread, as carded) אָרַג (ʼârag, H707) — to plait or weave חוֹר (chôwr, H2355) — white linen בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be…
Open source ↗דָּכָא (dâkâʼ, H1792) — to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively) שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8356) — a basis, i.e. (figuratively) political or moral support עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שֶׂכֶר (seker, H7938) — wages אָגֵם (ʼâgêm, H99) — figuratively, sad נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) צֹעַן (Tsôʻan, H6814) — Tsoan, a place in Egypt אֱוִיל (ʼĕvîyl, H191) — (figuratively) silly עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קֶדֶם (qedem, H6924) — the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity);… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗אַי (ʼay, H335) — where? hence how? אֵפוֹ (ʼêphôw, H645) — strictly a demonstrative particle, here; but used of time, now or then חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) צֹעַן (Tsôʻan, H6814) — Tsoan, a place in Egypt יָאַל (yâʼal, H2973) — properly, to be slack, i.e. (figuratively) to be foolish נֹף (Nôph, H5297) — Noph, the capital of Upper Egypt נָשָׁא (nâshâʼ, H5377) — to lead astray, i.e. (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce תָּעָה (tâʻâh, H8582) — to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt פִּנָּה (pinnâh, H6438) — an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָסַךְ (mâçak, H4537) — to mix, especially wine (with spices) עַוְעֶה (ʻavʻeh, H5773) — perversity רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt תָּעָה (tâʻâh, H8582) — to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… שִׁכּוֹר (shikkôwr, H7910) — intoxicated, as astate or a habit קֵא (qêʼ, H6892) — vomit
Open source ↗Cross-references
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On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.
Egypt will become desolate, and Edom a desert wasteland, because of the violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.
When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.
This is what the Lord GOD says: I will destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis. There will no longer be a prince in Egypt, and I will instill fear in that land.
This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received:
I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will make him spew out what he swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him; even the wall of Babylon will fall.
laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind.
“Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’
“There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, and the clouds in His majesty.