Ésaïe 19:1-6

1 Oracle sur l'Egypte. Voici, l'Eternel est monté sur une nuée rapide, il vient en Egypte; Et les idoles de l'Egypte tremblent devant lui, Et le coeur des Egyptiens tombe en défaillance.
2 J'armerai l'Egyptien contre l'Egyptien, Et l'on se battra frère contre frère, ami contre ami, Ville contre ville, royaume contre royaume.
3 L'esprit de l'Egypte disparaîtra du milieu d'elle, Et j'anéantirai son conseil; On consultera les idoles et les enchanteurs, Ceux qui évoquent les morts et ceux qui prédisent l'avenir.
4 Et je livrerai l'Egypte entre les mains d'un maître sévère; Un roi cruel dominera sur eux, Dit le Seigneur, l'Eternel des armées.
5 Les eaux de la mer tariront, Le fleuve deviendra sec et aride;
6 Les rivières seront infectes, Les canaux de l'Egypte seront bas et desséchés, Les joncs et les roseaux se flétriront.

Ésaïe 19:1-6 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.

The Louis Segond 1910 is in the public domain.