Isaiah 19:6-16

6 The rivers will become foul, the canals of Egypt's Nile will dwindle and dry up, the reeds and rushes will wither.

7 The river-plants on the banks of the Nile and everything sown near the Nile will dry up, blow away and be no more.

8 Fishermen too will lament, all who cast hooks in the Nile will mourn, those who spread nets on the water lose heart.

9 The linen-workers will be in despair, along with the weavers of white cotton;

10 the spinners will be crushed, the hired workers dejected.

11 The princes of Tzo'an are utter fools, Pharaoh's wisest counselors give stupid advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, "I'm a sage, descended from kings of old."

12 Where are they, then, those sages of yours? Let them tell you, so all can know what ADONAI-Tzva'ot has planned against Egypt!

13 The princes of Tzo'an have been fooled, the princes of Nof have been duped, Egypt's clan chiefs have led her astray.

14 ADONAI has mixed up their minds with a spirit that distorts judgment, so they make Egypt stagger in whatever she does, like a drunk staggering in his vomit.

15 Nobody in Egypt will find work to do - neither head nor tail, neither [tall] palm frond nor [lowly] reed.

16 On that day Egypt will be like women trembling with fear, because ADONAI-Tzva'ot is shaking his fist at them.

Isaiah 19:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 19

This chapter contains prophecies of various calamities that should come upon Egypt in a short time, and of the conversion of many of them to Christ in Gospel times. The calamities are many; the Lord's coming unto them, which their gods cannot prevent, nor stand before, nor save them, and at which the hearts of the Egyptians are dispirited, Isa 19:1 civil wars among themselves, Isa 19:2 want of counsel, which sends them to idols and wizards, but in vain, Isa 19:3 subjection to a cruel lord, Isa 19:4 drying up of their rivers and waters, so that the paper reeds wither, and fishes die; and hence no business for fishermen, nor for workers in flax, or weavers of nets, Isa 19:5-10,15 the stupidity of their princes and wise counsellors, given up by the Lord to a perverse spirit, so that they concerted wrong measures, and deceived the people, Isa 19:11-14 a general consternation among them, because of the hand and counsel of the Lord; and because of the Lord's people, the Jews, who were a terror to them, Isa 19:16,17 and then follows the prophecy of their conversion in later times, which is signified by their speaking the language of Canaan, and swearing to the Lord, Isa 19:18 by their erecting an altar, and a pillar to the Lord, which should be a sign and witness to him; and by their crying to him, and his sending them a Saviour, and a great one, Isa 19:19,20 by his being known unto them, by their offering sacrifice to him, and by his smiting and healing them Isa 19:21,22 and the chapter is concluded with a prophecy of that harmony, and agreement, and fellowship, that shall be between Jew and Gentile, between Egypt, Assyria, and Israel; and that the blessing of God should be upon them all, Isa 19:23-25.