Ésaïe 19:1-8

1 Oracle sur l'Égypte. Voici, l'Éternel est porté sur un nuage léger; il vient en Égypte, et les idoles d'Égypte tremblent devant lui, et le cœur des Égyptiens se fond au-dedans d'eux.
2 J'armerai l'Égyptien contre l'Égyptien; et ils combattront chacun contre son frère, et chacun contre son ami, ville contre ville, et royaume contre royaume.
3 Et l'esprit de l'Égypte s'évanouira au milieu d'elle; je détruirai son conseil, et ils consulteront les idoles et les enchanteurs, les évocateurs d'esprits et les devins.
4 Je livrerai l'Égypte aux mains d'un maître dur; et un roi cruel dominera sur eux, dit le Seigneur, l'Éternel des armées.
5 Et les eaux de la mer manqueront; la rivière se desséchera, et tarira.
6 Les rivières deviendront infectes; les canaux de l'Égypte s'abaisseront et tariront; les roseaux et les joncs dépériront.
7 Les prairies du fleuve, celles qui bordent le fleuve, tout ce qui est semé sur ses rives, sécheront, s'en iront en poussière, et ne seront plus.
8 Les pêcheurs gémiront; tous ceux qui jettent l'hameçon dans le fleuve se lamenteront, et ceux qui étendent les filets sur les eaux s'affligeront.

Ésaïe 19:1-8 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 Ostervald translation is in the public domain.