Prophecy as to Moab.

ISALAH, XVI,

Prophecy as to Moab. twenty miles East of Jordan; taken by Moab after the | wandering birds) viz., a brood just fledged and expelled carrying away of Israel (cf. Jeremiah, 48.). Elealeh- from the nest in which they were hatched. [HORSLEY.] near Heshbon, in Reuben. Jahaz- East of Jordan, in Cf. ch. 10. 14; Deuteronomy, 32. 11. daughters of Moab Reuben. Near it Moses defeated Sihon. therefore--i.e., the inhabitants of Moab. So 2 Kings, 19. 21; because of the sudden overthrow of their cities. Even Psalm 48. 11; Jeremiah, 46. 11; Lamentations, 4. 22. the armed men, instead of fighting in defence of their [MAURER.] at the fords-trying to cross the boundary land, shall join in the general cry. life, &c.-rather, river of Moab, in order to escape out of the land. "his soul is grieved" (1 Samuel, 1. 8.). [MAURER.] 5. EWALD and MAURER make "fords" a poetical expresMy-The prophet himself is moved with pity for Moab. sion for "the dwellers on Arnon," answering to the Ministers, in denouncing the wrath of God against sin- parallel clause of the same sense," daughters of Moab." ners, should do it with tender sorrow, not with exulta- 3-5. GESENIUS, MAURER, &c., regard these verses as tion. fugitives--fleeing from Moab, wander as far as to an address of the fugitive Moabites to the Jews for Zoar, on the extreme boundary South of the Dead sea. protection; they translate v. 4, "Let mine outcasts of HORSLEY translates, her nobility, or "rulers" (Hosea, Moab dwell with thee, Judah?" the protection will be 4. 18.). heifer, &c. i.e., raising their voices, “like a refused by the Jews, for the pride of Moab (v. 6.). VITheifer" (cf. Jeremiah, 48. 34, 36.). The expression "three RINGA makes it an additional advice to Moab, besides years old," implies one at its full vigour (Genesis, 15. paying tribute. Give shelter to the Jewish outcasts 9.), as yet not brought under the yoke: as Moab here- who take refuge in thy land (r. 3, 4:: so "mercy" will tofore unsubdued, but now about to be broken. So be shown thee in turn by whatever king sits on the Jeremiah, 31. 18; Hosea, 4. 13. MAURER translates, "throne" of "David" (v. 5.). Isaiah foresees that Moab "Eglath (in English Version, "a heifer") Shelishijah" will be too proud to pay the tribute, or conciliate (i.e., the third, to distinguish it from two others of the Judah by sheltering its outcasts (r. 63; therefore judg same name.). by the mounting up - up the ascent. ment shall be executed. However, as Moab just before Luhith-a mountain in Moab. Horonaim-a town of is represented as itself an outcast in Idumea, it seems Moab not far from Zoar (Jeremiah, 48. 5.). It means incongruous that it should be called on to shelter Jewish the two poles, being near caves. cry of destruction-a outcasts. So that it seems rather to foretell the ruined cry appropriate to the destruction which visits their state of Moab arhen its people should beg the Jews for country. 6. For-The cause of their flight southwards shelter, but be refused for their pride. make... shadow (2 Kings, 3. 19, 25.). For the northern regions and even as... night... in . . . noon-day-emblem of a thick the city Nimrim (the very name of which means limpid shelter from the glaring noon-day heat (ch. 4. 6; 25. 4, waters in Gilead near Jordan) are without water or 32. 2.). bewray... wandereth-betray not the fugitive herbage. 7. Therefore - Because of the devastation of to his pursuer. 4. Rather, "Let the outcasts of Moab the land. abundance-lit., that which is over and abore | dwell with thee" (Judah). [HORSLEY. 4. for the extorthe necessaries of life. brook of... willows-The fugi- tioner, &c. - The Assyrian oppressor probably. is at tives flee from Nimrim, where the waters have failed, an end-By the time that Moab begs Judah for shelter. to places better watered. Margin has valley of Ara- Judah shall be in a condition to afford it, for the bians, i.e., to the valley on the boundary between them Assyrian oppressor shall have been "consumed out of and Arabia Petrea: now Wady-el Arabah. Arabia the land." 5. If Judah shelters the suppliant Moab, means a desert. 8. Eglaim-(Ezekiel, 47. 10,), En-eglaim. allowing him to remain in Idumea, a blessing will Not the Agalum of Eusebius, eight miles from Areo- redound to Judah itself and its "throne." truth. polis towards the South: the context requires a town judgment...righteousness-language so divinely framed on the very borders of Moab or beyond them. Beer-elim as to apply to "the latter days" under King Messiah, -lit., The well of the princes: (so Numbers, 21. 16-18.). when "the Lord shall bring again the captivity of Beyond the East borders of Moab. 9. Dimon-Same as Moab" (Psalm 72. 2; 96, 13; 98. 9; Jeremiah, 48. 47: Dibon (v. 2.). Its waters are the Arnon. fall of blood- Romans, 11. 12.). hasting-prompt in executing. 6. We the slain of Moab shall be so many. bring more-fresh-Jews. We reject Moab's supplication for his pride. calamities, viz., the "lions" afterwards mentioned lies-false boasts. not be so-rather, not right: sbail (2 Kings, 17. 25; Jeremiah, 5. 6; 15. 3.). VITRINGA prove vain (ch. 25. 10; Jeremiah, 48. 29, 30; Zephaniah, understands Nebuchadnezzar as meant by "the lion;" 2. 8.). "It shall not be so: his lies shall not so effect but it is plural, lions." The "more," or in Hebrew, it." 7. Therefore-all hope of being allowed shelter by additions, he explains of the addition made to the the Jews being cut off. foundations-i.e., ruins; be waters of Dimon by the streams of blood of the slain. cause, when houses are pulled down, the "foundations" alone are left (ch. 58. 12.). Jeremiah, in the parallel place (Jeremiah, 48. 31,), renders it "men," who are the moral foundations or stay of a city. Kir-hareseth-lif., A citadel of brick. surely they are stricken-rather, joined with "mourn" "Ye shall mourn utterly stricken." [MAURER and HORSLEY.] 8. fields-vine fields (Deuteronomy, 32. 32.. vine of Sibmah-near Heshbon: viz., languishes. lords of heathen-the heathen princes, the Assyrians, &c., who invaded Moab, destroyed his vines. So Jeremiah in the parallel place (Jeremiah, 48. 32, 33.). MAURER thinks the following words require rather the rendering," Its the vine of Sibmah shoots (the wines got from them) overpowered (by its generous flavour and potency) the lords of the nations" (Genesis, 49. 11, 12, 22.). come... Jazer

CHAPTER XVI.

Ver. 1-14. CONTINUATION OF THE PROPHECY AS TO MOAB. 1. lamb- Advice of the prophet to the Moabites who had fled southwards to Idumea, to send to the king of Judah the tribute of lambs, which they had formerly paid to Israel, but which they had given up (2 Kings, 3. 4, 5.). David probably imposed this tribute before the severance of Judah and Israel (2 Samuel, 8. 2.). Therefore Moab is recommended to gain the favour and protection of Judah, by paying it to the Jewish king. Type of the need of submitting to Messiah (Psalm 2. 10-12; Romans, 12. 1.). from Sela to -rather, "from Petra through (lit., towards) the wilderness." [MAURER.] Sela means "a rock," Petra in Greek; the capital of Idumea and Arabia Petrea: the dwellings are mostly hewn out of the rock. The country around was a vast common ("wilderness") or open pasturage to which the Moabites had fled on the invasion from the West (ch. 15. 7./. ruler of the landviz., of Idumea, i.e., the king of Judah: Amaziah had become master of Idumea and Selah (2 Kings, 14. 7.). 2. cast out of... nest-rather," as a brood cast out," (in apposition with "a wandering bird," or rather,

They (the vine-shoots) reached even to Jazer, fifteen miles from Heshbon. wandered-They overran in wild luxuriance the wilderness of Arabia, encompassing Moab. the sea-the Dead sea: or else some lake near Jazer now dry: in Jeremiah, 48. 32, called the sea of Jazer; but see note there (Psalm 80. 8-11.). 9. I-will bewail for its desolation, though 1 belong to another nation (Note, ch. 16. 5.). with weeping of Jazer-as

Prophecy concerning Damascus

ISAIAH, XVII, XVIII.

and its Ally, Samaria.

Jazer weeps. shouting for... fallen-rather," Upon thy hand. Rephaim-a fertile plain at the South West of summer fruits and upon thy luxuriant vines the shout- Jerusalem towards Bethlehem and the country of the ing (the battle shout, instead of the joyous shout of the Philistines (2 Samuel, 5. 18-22.). 6. in it-i.e., in the grape gatherers, usual at the vintage) is fallen" (v. 10; land of Israel. two or three... in the top-A few poor Jeremiah, 25. 30; 51. 14.). In the parallel passage (Jere- inhabitants shall be left in Israel, like the two or three miah, 48. 32,), the words substantially express the same olive berries left on the topmost boughs, which it is The spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits." not worth while taking the trouble to try to reach. 7. 10. gladness-such as is felt in gathering a rich harvest. look to his Maker-instead of trusting in their fortresses There shall be no harvest or vintage owing to the desola- (v. 3; Micah, 7. 7.). 8. groves-A symbolical tree is tion; therefore no "gladness." 11. bowels-in Scripture often found in Assyrian inscriptions, representing the the seat of yearning compassion. It means the inward hosts of heaven (Saba), answering to Asteroth or Astarte, seat of emotion, the heart, &c. (ch. 63. 15; cf. ch. 15. 5; the queen of heaven, as Baal or Bel is the king. Hence Jeremiah, 48. 36.). sound... harp-as its strings vibrate the expression, "image of the grove," is explained when beaten with the plectrum or hand, 12, when it (2 Kings, 21.7.). images-lit., images to the sun, i.e., to is seen that-rather, "When Moab shall have appeared Baal who answers to the sun, as Astarte to the hosts (before his gods; cf. Exodus, 23, 15,), when he is weary of heaven (2 Kings, 23. 5; Job, 31. 26.). 9. forsaken bough (ie., when he shall have fatigued himself with observ--rather, "the leavings of woods," what the axeman ing burdensome rites; 1 Kings, 18. 26, &c.), on the high leaves when he cuts down the grove (cf. v. 6.). which place (cf. ch. 15. 2.), and shall come to his sanctuary (of they left because of-rather, "which (the enemies) shall the idol Chemosh on mount Nebo) to pray, he shall leave for the children of Israel;" lit., "shall leave in not prevail?" he shall effect nothing by his prayers. departing) from before the face of the children of Israel." [MAURER.] 13. since that time-rather, "respecting [MAURER. But a few cities out of many shall be left that time." [HORSLEY.] BARNES translates it "for- to Israel, by the purpose of God, executed by the merly," in contrast to "but now" (v. 14): heretofore Assyrian. 10. forgotten... God of... salvation... former prophecies (Exodus, 15. 15; Numbers, 21, 29) rock-(Deuteronomy, 32. 15. 18.). plants - rather, have been given as to Moab, of which Isaiah has given nursery-grounds, pleasure-grounds. [MAURER.] set in the substance: but now a definite and steady time also-rather, "set them," the pleasure-grounds. strange is fixed. 14. three years... hireling-Just as a hireling slips-cuttings of plants from far, and therefore valuhas his fixed term of engagement which neither he nor able. 11. In the day his master will allow to be added to or taken from: so the day of thy planting." [HORSLEY.] shalt... make... limit within which Moab is to fall is unalterably fixed grow-MAURER translates, "Thou didst fence it," viz., (ch. 21. 16.). Fulfilled about the time when the Assyrian the pleasure-ground. The parallel clause, "Make... thy plant-rather, "In the led Israel into captivity. The ruins of Elealeh, Heshbon, flourish," favours English Version. As soon as thou Medeba, Dibon, &c., still exist to confirm the inspira- plantest it grows. in the morning-i.e., immediately tion of Scripture. The accurate particularity of specifi- after: so in Psalm 90. 14, the Hebrew, "in the morning," cation of the places 3000 years ago, confirmed by modern is translated, early. but... shall be a heap-rather, research, is a strong testimony to the truth of prophecy. "but (promising as was the prospect) the harvest is Ver. 1-11. PROPHECY CONCERNING DAMASCUS AND day of (expected) possession." [MAURER.] "In the day CHAPTER XVII. ITS ALLY, SAMARIA, i.e., Syria and Israel, which had of inundation." [HORSLEY.] of desperate sorrowgone." (HORSLEY.] in... day of grief-rather, "in the leagued together (ch. 7. and 8.). Already, Tiglath- rather, "And the sorrow shall be desperate or irremedipileser had carried away the people of Damascus to able." Kir, in the fourth year of Ahaz (2 Kings, 16. 9;); but taken together by Hendiad, "The heap of the harvest now in Hezekiah's reign a farther overthrow is foretold shall be desperate sorrow." [ROSENMULLER.] In English Version heap and sorrow may be (Jeremiah, 49. 23; Zechariah, 9, 1.). Also, Shalmaneser carried away Israel from Samaria to Assyria (2 Kings, 17. 6; 18. 10, 11,), in the sixth year of Hezekiah of Judah (the ninth year of Hoshea of Israel). This prophecy was, doubtless, given previously in the first years of Hezekiah, when the foreign nations came into nearer collision with Judah, owing to the threatening aspect of Assyria. Damascus-put before Israel (Ephraim, v. 3,), which is chiefly referred to in what follows: because it was the prevailing power in the league: with it Ephraim either stood or fell (ch. 7.). 2. cities of Aroer -ie., the cities round about Aroer, and under its jurisdiction. [GESENIUS.] So "cities with their villages" (Joshua, 15. 44;);" Heshbon and all her cities" (Joshua, 13. 17.). Aroer was near Rabbah-Ammon, at the river of Gad, an arm of the Jabbok (2 Samuel, 24. 5,), founded by the Gadites (Numbers, 32. 34.). for flocks-(ch. 5. 17.). 3. fortress... down (Samaria especially: Hosea, 10. 14; Micah, 1. 6; cease-the strongholds shall be pulled Habakkuk, 1. 10.). remnant of Syria-all that was left after the overthrow by Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings, 16. 9.). as the glory of... Israel-they shall meet with the same fate as Israel, their ally. 4. glory of Jacob-the kingdom of Ephraim and all that they rely on (Hosea, 12. 2; Micah, 1. 5.), fatness... lean-(Note, ch. 10. 16.). 5. harvestman, &c.-The inhabitants and wealth of Israel shall be swept away, and but few left behind, just as the husbandman gathers the corn and the fruit, and leaves only a few gleaning ears and grapes (2 Kings, 18. 9-11.). with his arm-he collecteth the standing grain with one arm, so that he can cut it with the sickle in the other

hosts, and desires the Ethiopian ambassadors, now in
Isaiah announces the overthrow of Sennacherib's

Announcement to the Ethiopians of the

ISAIAH, XVIII.

Destruction of Sennacherib's Army.

called). meted out-Hebrew, of line, line. The measuring line was used in destroying buildings (ch. 34. 11; 2 Kings, 21. 13; Lamentations, 2. 8.). Hence, actively, it means here "a people meting out,"—"an all-destroying people?" which suits the context better than "meted," passively. [MAURER.] HORSLEY, understanding it of the Jews, translates it, "Expecting, expecting (in a continual attitude of expectation of Messiah) and trampled of strength, strength (from a root, to brace the sinews, i.e., a most powerful people. trodden down-true of the Jews. But MAURER translates it actively, a people treading under foot all its enemies, i.e., victorious (ch. 14. 26,), viz., the Ethiopians. spoiled-cut up.' The Nile is formed by the junction of many streams in Abyssinia, the Atbara, the Astapus or Blue river (between which two rivers Meroe, the "Ethiopia" here meant, lies), and the Astaboras or White river; these streams wash down the soil along their banks in the Egypt. G. V. SMITH translates it, “Divide." HORSLEY takes it fig. of the conquering armies which have often "spoiled" Judea. 3. see ye... hear ye-rather, we shall see-shall hear. Call to the whole earth to be witnesses of what Jehovah ("He") is about to do. He will “lift up an ensign," calling the Assyrian motley hosts together (ch. 5. 26) on ** the mountains" round Jerusalem to their own destruction. This (ch. 18.) declares the coming overthrow of those armies whose presence is announced in ch. 17. 12, 13. The same motive, which led Hezekiah to seek aid from Egypt, led him to accept gladly the Ethiopian Tirhakah's aid (ch. 36, 6; 37. 9. Ethiopia, Egypt, and Judea, were probably leagued together against the common enemy, 713 B.C. See notes on ch. 22, where a difference of tone (as referring to a different period) as to Ethiopia is observable. HonsLEY takes the "ensign" to be the cross, and the "trumpet" the Gospel trumpet, which shall be sounded more loudly in the last days. 4. take . . . rest consider-1 will calmly look on and not interpose, whilst all seems to promise success to the enemy; when, g.. "the sun's heat" and "the night dews" ripen their "harvest," but "before" it reaches its maturity I will destroy it v. 5; Ecclesiastes, 8. 11, 12.). like a clear heat

Jerusalem, to bring word of it to their own nation, and calls on the whole world to witness the event (v. 3.). As ch. 17. 12-14, announced the presence of the foe, so ch. 18. foretells his overthrow. The heading in English Version, "God will destroy the Ethiopians," is a mis take arising from the wrong rendering "Woe," whereas the Hebrew does not express a threat, but is an appeal calling attention (ch. 55. 1; Zechariah, 2. 6:): "Ho." He is not speaking against but to the Ethiopians, call-under foot" a graphic picture of them. Most translate, ing on them to hear his prophetical announcement as to the destruction of their enemies. 1. shadowing with wings—rather, "land of the winged bark:” i.e., "barks with wing-like sails, answering to vessels of bulrushes" in v. 2: the word "rivers," in the parallelism, also favours it; so LXX. and Chaldee. (EWALD.] "Land of the clanging sound of wings," i.e., armies, as in ch. 8. 8; the rendering "bark," or "ship," is rather dubious. [MAURER.] The armies referred to are those of Tirhakah, advancing to meet the Assyrians (ch. 37. 9.). In English Version, "shadowing" means protecting-"land" of Upper Egypt, and deposit it on that of Lower stretching out its wings to defend a feeble people, viz., the Hebrews. [VITRINGA.] The Hebrew for "wings" is the same as for the idol Cneph, which was represented in temple-sculptures with wings (Psalm 91. 4.). beyond -Meroe, the island between the "rivers" Nile and Astaboras is meant, famed for its commerce, and perhaps the seat of the Ethiopian government, hence addressed here as representing the whole empire: remains of temples are still found, and the name of "Tirhakah" in the inscriptions. This island-region was probably the chief part of Queen Candace's kingdom (Acts, 8. 27.1. For "beyond" others translate less lit., "which borderest on." Ethiopia-lit., Cush. HORSLEY is probably right that the ultimate and fullest reference of the prophecy is to the restoration of the Jews in the Holy Land, through the instrumentality of some distant people skilled in navigation (v. 2; ch. 60. 9, 10; Psalm 45. 15; 68. 31; Zephaniah, 3. 10:): perhaps England. Phoenician voyagers coasting along would speak of all Western remote lands as "beyond" the Nile's mouths. "Cush," too, has a wide sense, being applied not only to Ethiopia, but Arabia Deserta and Felix, and along the Persian Gulf, as far as the Tigris (Genesis, 2. 13.). 2. ambassadors -messengers sent to Jerusalem at the time that negotiations passed between-rather, "at the time of the clear (serene) heat." Tirhakah and Hezekiah against the expected attack of Sennacherib (ch. 37. 9.). by ... sea-on the Nile (ch. 19. 6: as what follows proves. vessels of bulrushes -light canoes, formed of papyrus, daubed over with pitch so the "ark" in which Moses was exposed (Exodus, 2. 3.). Go-Isaiah tells them to take back the tidings of what God is about to do (v. 4) against the common enemy of both Judah and Ethiopia. scattered and peeled-rather, strong and energetic. [MAURER.] The Hebrew for "strong" is lit., drawn out, (Margin, Psalm 36. 10; Ecclesiastes, 2. 3.). "Energetic," lit., sharp (Habakkuk, 1. 8; Margin, the verb means to sharpen a sword, Ezekiel, 21. 16. 16;); also polished. As HERODOTUS (3. 20. 114) characterises the Ethiopians as **the tallest and fairest of men," G. V. SMITH translates, "tall and comely:" lit., extended (ch. 45. 14, "men of stature") and polished (the Ethiopians had smooth, glossy skins). In English Version the reference is to the Jews, scattered outcasts, and loaded with indignity (lit., having their hair torn off. HORSLEY. terrible-the Ethiopians famed for warlike prowess. [ROSENMULLER.] The Jews who, because of God's plague, made others to fear the like (Deuteronomy, 28. 37.). Rather," awfully remarkable." [HORSLEY.] God puts the "terror" of His people into the surrounding nations at the first Exodus, 23. 27; Joshua, 2. 9;); so it shall be again in the latter days (Zechariah, 12. 2, 3.). from... beginning hitherto-so English Version rightly. But GESENIUS, to the terrible nation (of upper Egypt) and further beyond" (to the Ethiopians properly so

[MAURER.] upon herbs-answering to "harvest" in the parallel clause. MAURER translates," in the sun-light" (Job, 31. 26; 37. 21; Habakkuk, 3. 4.). like... dewrather, "at the time of the dew-cloud." God's" silence" is mistaken by the ungodly for consent; His delay in taking vengeance for forgetfulness (Psalm 50. 21;; so it shall be before the vengeance which in the last day shall usher in the restoration of the Jews (ch. 34. 1-8; 57. 11, end of the verse; 2 Peter, 3. 3-10.). 5. For-rather, But. perfect-perfected. When the enemy's plans are on the verge of completion. sour grape... flowerrather, "when the flower shall become the ripening grape." [MAURER.] sprigs-the shoots with the grapes on them. God will not only disconcert their present plans, but prevent them forming any future ones. HORSLEY takes the "harvest" and vintage here as referring to purifying judgments which cause the excision of the ungodly from the earth, and the placing of the faithful in a state of peace on the earth: not the last judgment (John, 15. 2; Revelation, 14. 15-20.). 6. birds... beasts-transition from the image "sprigs," "branches," to the thing meant: the Assyrian soldiers and leaders shall be the prey of birds and beasts, the whole year through, "winter" and "summer," so numerous shall be their carcases. HORSLEY translates the Hebrew which is singular: "upon it," not "upon them" the "it" refers to God's "dwelling-place" (v. 4) in the Holy Land, which antichrist ("the bird of prey" with the "beasts," his rebel hosts) is to possess himself of, and where he is to perish, 7, present... people

Prophecy as to Egypt.

ISAIAH, XIX.

Prophecy as to Egypt.

as in ch. 17. 6; 30. 17; Genesis, 43. 34; Leviticus, 26.8. Rather, five definite cities of Lower Egypt (v. 11, 13; ch. 30. 4,), which had close intercourse with the neighbouring Jewish cities [MAURER]: some say, Heliopolis. Leontopolis (else Diospolis), Migdol, Daphne (Tahpanes), and Memphis. language of Canaan-i.e., of the Hebrews in Canaan, the language of revelation. Fig. for, They shall embrace the Jewish religion: so "a pure language" and conversion to God are connected in Zephaniah, 3. 9: as also the first confounding and multiplication of languages was the punishment of the making of gods at Babel, other than the One God. Pentecost (Acts, 2. 4) was the counterpart of Babel: the separation of nations is not to hinder the unity of faith: the full realisation of this is yet future Zechariah, 14. 9; John, 17. 21.). The next clause, "swear to the Lord of Hosts," agrees with this view, i.e., bind themselves to Him by solemn covenant (ch. 45. 23; 65. 16; Deuteronomy, 6, 13.). city of destruction-Onias; read, "city of the sun," i.e., On, or Heliopolis; he persuaded Ptolemy Philometer (149 B.C.) to let him build a temple in the prefecture (nome) of Heliopolis, on the ground that it would induce Jews to reside there, and that the very site was foretold by Isaiah 600 years before. The reading of the Hebrew text is, however, better supported.

brought low: 30 ch. 3. 1; Psalm 11. 3; cf. v. 13, "The princes-the stay of the tribes." The Arabs call a prince "a pillar of the people." [MAURER.] "Their weaving-frames." [HORSLEY.] "Dykes." [BARNES.] all that make sluices, &c.-"makers of dams," made to confine the waters which overflow from the Nile in artificial fish-ponds. [HORSLEY.] "Makers of gain," i.e., the common people who have to earn their livelihood, as opposed to the "nobles" previously, [MAURER.] 11. Zoan-The Greeks called it Tanis, a city of Lower Egypt, East of the Tanitic arm of the Nile, now San; it was one of the nearest Egyptian towns to Palestine (Numbers, 13. 22,), the scene of Moses' miracles (Psalm 78. 12, 43.). It, or else Memphis, was the capital under Sethos. I am... son of the wise... kings-Ye have no advice to suggest to Pharaoh in the crisis, notwithstanding that ye boast of descent from wise and royal ancestors. The priests were the usual "counsellors" of the Egyptian kings. He was generally chosen from the priestly caste, or, if from the warrior caste, he was admitted into the sacred order, and was called a priest. The priests are, therefore, meant, by the expression, "son of the wise, and of ancient kings:" this was their favourite boast (Herodotus, 2. 141; cf. Amos, 7. 14; Acts, 23, 6; Philippians, 3.5.). "Pharaoh" was the common name of all the kings: Sethos, pro-"city of destruction;" referring to Leontopolis, the site bably, is here meant. 12. let them know-i.e., How is it that, with all their boast of knowing the future (Diodorus, 1. 81,, they do not know what Jehovah of hosts, &c. 13. Noph-called also Moph; Greek, Memphis (Hosea, 9. 6); on the western bank of the Nile, capital of Lower Egypt, second only to Thebes in all Egypt: residence of the kings, until the Ptolemies removed to Alexandria; the word means the port of the good (Plutarch.). The military caste probably ruled in it: "they also are deceived," in fancying their country secure from Assyrian invasion. stay of... tribesrather, "corner-stone of her castes" [MAURER], i.e., the princes, the two ruling castes, the priests, and the warriors: image from a building which rests mainly on its corner-stones (v. 10, Note; ch. 28. 16; Psalm 118. 22; Numbers, 24. 17, Margin; Judges, 20. 2; 1 Samuel, 14. 38, Margin; Zechariah, 10. 4.). 14. err in every work thereof -referring to the anarchy arising from their internal feuds. HORSLEY translates, “with respect to all His (God's) works," they misinterpreted God's dealings at every step. "Mingled" contains the same image as "drunken?" as one mixes spices with wine to make it intoxicating (ch, 5. 22; Proverbs, 9. 2, 5,, so Jehovah has poured among them a spirit of giddiness, so that they are as helpless as a drunken man." 15. work for Egypt-nothing which Egypt can do to extricate itself from the difficulty. head or tail-high or low (v. 11-15, and 8-10.). brauca or rush-the lofty palm branch or the humble reed (ch. 9. 14, 15; 10. 33, 34.). 16. like... women -timid and helpless (Jeremiah, 61. 30; Nahum, 3. 13.), shaking of... hand-his judgments by means of the invaders (ch. 10, 5, 32; 11. 16.). 17. Judah... terror unto Egypt-not by itself: but at this time Hezekiah was the active subordinate ally of Assyria in its invasion of Egypt under Sargon. Similarly to the alliance of Judah-free communication, resting on the highest basis, the with Assyria here is 2 Kings, 23, 29, where Josiah takes common faith of both (v. 18; ch. 11. 16.). Assyria and the field against Pharaoh-necho of Egypt, probably as Egypt were joined under Alexander as parts of his aly of Assyria against Egypt. [G. V. SMITH.] VIT empire: Jews and proselytes from both met at the RINGA explains it that, Egypt in its calamities would feasts of Jerusalem. A type of gospel times to come. remember that prophets of Judah had foretold them, serve with serve Jehovah with the Assyrians. co and so Judah would be "a terror unto Egypt." thereof "serve" is used absolutely (Job, 36. 11.). 24. third-the of Judah. it-Egypt. 18-22. Suffering shall lead to three shall be joined as one nation. blessing the repentance. Struck with "terror" and "afraid” (v. 17) source of blessings to other nations, and the object of because of Jehovah's judgments, Egypt shall be con- their benedictions. in the midst of the land-rather, verted to Him: nay, even Assyria shall join in serving earth (Micah, 5. 7.). Judah is designed to be the grand Him; so that Israel, Assyria, and Egypt, once mutual centre of the whole earth (Jeremiah, 3. 17.). 25. Who 1oes, shall be bound together by the tie of a common-rather, Which, viz., "the land," or "earth,” i..., the laith as one people. So a similar issue from other prophecies (ch. 18, 7; 23. 18.). tive cities-i.e., several cities;

of Onias' temple: which casts a reproach on that city because it was about to contain a temple rivalling the only sanctioned temple, that at Jerusalem. MAURER, with some MSS., reads "city of defence," or "deliver ance;" viz., Memphis, or some such city, to which God was about to send "a saviour" (v. 20,, to "deliver them." 19. altar-not for sucrifice, but as the "pillar” for memorial and worship (Joshua, 22. 22-26.). Isaiah does not contemplate a temple in Egypt: for the only legal temple was at Jerusalem; but, like the patriarchs, they shall have altars in various places, piliar-such as Jacob reared (Genesis, 28. 18; 35. 14;); it was a common practice in Egypt to raise obelisks commemorating divine and great events. at the border-of Egypt and Judah, to proclaim to both countries the common faith. This passage shows how the Holy Spirit raised Isaiah above a narrow-minded nationality to a charity anticipatory of gospel catholicity. 20. it-the altar and pillar. a sign-of the fulfilment of prophecy, to their contemporaries. a witness-to their descendants. unto the Lord-no longer, to their idols, but to Jehovah. for they shall cry-or, "a sign, &c., that they cried, de., and He sent to them a saviour:" probably, Alexander the Great (so "a great one"), whom the Egyptians welcomed as a deliverer (Greek, Soter, a title of the Ptolemies out of the hands of the Persians, who under Cambyses had been their "oppressors." At Alexandria, called from him, the Old Testament was translated into Greek for the Greek-speaking Jews, who in large numbers dwelt in Egypt under the Ptolemies, his successors. Messiah is the antitype ultimately intended (cf. Acts, 2. 10, "Egypt."). 21. oblation-unbloody. 22. heal-as described (c. 18-20.), return-for heathen sin and idolatry are an apostasy from primitive truth. 23. nignway

people of it. (MAURER.] my people-the peculiar designation of Israel the elect people, here applied to Egyp