Isaías 19
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Isaías 19:1-4
19:1 "the Lord is riding on a swift cloud" This is imagery describing YHWH as controller of nature director of nature's power swift in His coming See Ps. 18:10; 104:3. The phrase has Messianic connections in Dan. 7:13 and Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:62. As with many OT phrases that describe YHWH we find that similar ones are used of pagan deities or rulers of the ANE. Riding on clouds is used of Ba'al in Ugaritic poems. As God's people encountered the hyperbolic statements/claims of the surrounding nations, she attributed them to her God, the only God (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM). The one in whom they may truly find peace and fulfillment. This is true of phrases such as "King of kings and Lord of lords" and so many other popular titles of YHWH. It is verses like this that have caused me to rethink my eschatological understanding of several passages in the NT. The "coming on the clouds" imagery is misunderstood by modern, western literalitsts. YHWH used a foreign army to judge Egypt. This is what He did to apostate Judaism in the Jewish War with Rome (A.D. 66-70). I hope you will look at my Partial Preterist commentary of the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 17; 21; also note Matt. 23) 2 Thessalonians 2 (i.e. Nero) the book of Revelation (2024) SPECIAL TOPIC: COMING ON THE CLOUDS SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SECOND COMING, IV. ▣ "and is about to come to Egypt" YHWH's presence again is both a judgment (Isa. 19:1-15) and a salvation (Isa. 19:16-23). It is this double meaning that runs through much of Hebrew prophecy. The literary technique known as "reversal" dominates this genre. It is like antithetical parallelism taken to a larger piece of writing (as is paradox). Egypt will be judged to be cleansed and prepared to worship YHWH. He will come to her in deliverance as He has to Judah. YHWH's heart is directed at humans made in His image (cf. Gen. 1:26-27), not just a select group of humans (i.e. Israel). He uses Abraham's seed to accomplish a larger purpose (cf. Gen. 3:15)! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE (biblical paradoxes) ▣ "The idols of Egypt" Egypt had many gods (Exod. 12:12; Num. 33:4). Her idolatry and spiritism are delineated in Isa. 19:3. idols (BDB 47) ghosts of the dead (BDB 31, found only here) mediums (BDB 15, "necromancers," cf. Deut. 18:11) spiritists (BDB 396, "wizards," "familiar spirits," cf. Deut. 18:11) See note at Isa. 8:19. The plagues of the Exodus purposefully depreciated many of the Egyptian gods for the purposes of producing faith in both Israelites and Egyptians (i.e. "mixed multitude," cf. Exod. 12:38). In this text the people claimed to have the power or spiritual connection (i.e. familiar spirit) to communicate with the dead (cf. Lev. 19:31; 20:6,27; Deut. 18:11; 1 Sam. 28:8; 2 Kgs. 21:6; 2 Chr. 33:6; Isa. 8:19; 19:3). They were seeking information about and control of the future, but apart from YHWH. This is caused by the fallen nature of humanity (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND) self-deceived priests/prophets demon activity (see SPECIAL TOPIC: DEMONIC IN THE OT) search for spiritual power over our lives and the lives of others (see SPECIAL TOPIC: IDOLATRY [OT]) ▣ The last two lines of Isa. 19:1 are parallel (see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEBREW POETRY). the idols of Egypt will tremble, BDB 631, KB 681, Qal PERFECT with waw, cf. Isa. 6:4; 7:2 (twice); 19:1; 24:20 (twice); 29:9; 37:22 (i.e. personification of lifeless idols) the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them, BDB 587, KB 606, Niphal IMPERFECT, cf. Isa. 13:7; Josh. 2:11; 5:1; 7:5 (i.e. "holy war" terminology) 19:2 One wonders if this relates to the military advance of the Nubian rulers against the native Egyptians of the Delta region of the Nile (8 th century B.C.; 25 th Dynasty) the conflicts between the different cities of Egypt, each with their special gods (i.e. vv. 11-13) This internal conflict between the same people and their armies is another example of "holy war" (i.e. Jdg. 7:22; 1 Sam. 14:20; 2 Chr. 20:23). ▣ "I will. . ." Isaiah is speaking directly for YHWH (Isa. 19:2,3,4). YHWH causes civil war, Isa. 19:2 demoralization, Isa. 19:3a confused counsel/strategy, Isa. 19:3b reliance on false gods, Isa. 19:3,c,d the coming of a cruel master, a mighty king, Isa. 19:4 He is in control of the nations and their destinies (i.e. Dan. 2:21; Job 14:5; Ps. 31:15). SPECIAL TOPIC: ONE CAUSALITY ▣ NASB, REB, JPSOA "I will incite" "I will set" NRSV, TEV, NJB, LXX, Peshitta "I will stir up" This uncertain VERB (possibly BDB 696 I or BDB 1127) is used twice in the Pilpel stem (Isa. 9:11 and here). In context it seems to mean stir up provoke incite (Ethiopian root) cause to stink (an Arabic root, cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 233) 19:3 "confound" This Hebrew root (BDB 118 I, KB 134, Piel IMPERFECT) normally means "to swallow." Many scholars assume a second meaning for the same root, "confound" or "confuse" (BDB 118, Piel, #2a, cf. Isa. 3:12; 9:15; 28:7). ▣ "they will resort to idols and ghosts of the dead, And to mediums and spiritists" idols (BDB 47, cf. Isa. 2:18,20; 10:10; 31:7) ghosts (i.e. sorcerers, BDB 31, cf. Isa. 8:19; 29:4; 47:12-13) mediums (BDB 3, linked to the word "father," i.e. necromancers) spiritists (i.e. wizards, BDB 396, cf. Lev. 19:31; 20:6,27; Deut. 18:11; 2 Kgs. 21:6; Isa. 8:19) Initially, Egypt will seek help from its wise men, but they cannot help. In this wonderful chapter, they will eventually seek YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Seek the Lord). For more information: see my exegetical commentary on Deut. 18:9-14 online, free see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 196-302 see SPECIAL TOPIC: MAGIC 19:4 In context (cf. Isa. 20:4) this could refer to Assyria (cf. chap. 20) Nubian invaders (cf. chap. 18) The same terminology is used for Babylon in Jer. 46:26; Ezek. 29:19. YHWH directs world empires for His purposes. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (its uniqueness and inspiration) ▣ "I will deliver" This VERB (BDB 698, KB 755, Piel PERFECT with waw) means "hand over to" (cf. Targums, LXX, Peshitta). The Piel appears only here. The VERB does appear in the Niphal in Gen. 8:2 and Ps. 63:11, where it means "be stopped." The Piel connotation comes from an old Aramaic root. Therefore, there may be two separate Hebrew roots.
Isaías 19:5-10
19:5-10 This strophe describes YHWH's judgment on Egypt. their abundant water from the Nile dries up with its loss the river vegetation dies (i.e. reeds [BDB 889] and rushes [BDB 693]) with its loss irrigated crops die with its loss the fishing industry will lament and languish with the loss the clothing industry stops (i.e. linen from flax) Egyptian society comes to a crushing, grinding stop. all hired laborers will grieve. There are three related VERBS which denote the loss of water. "dry up," BDB 677, KB 732, Niphal PERFECT with waw, Isa. 19:5; 41:17; "be parched," BDB 351, KB 349, Qal IMPERFECT, Isa. 19:5,6; 11:15; 37:25; 44:27; 50:2; 51:10 "be dry," BDB 386, KB 384, Qal PERFECT with waw, Isa. 19:5,7; 15:6; 27:11; 40:7,8,24; 42:15 (twice); 44:27 God's ability to control water is recurrent in the OT. separated water above and water below, Gen. 1:7 gathered the waters so dry land could appear, Gen. 1:9-10 sent the flood, Gen. 7:4,7 dried up the flood, Gen. 8:2-3 provided a well of water for Hagar, Gen. 21:19 split and restored the Sea of Reeds, Exod. 14:16,27 purified the water at Marah, Exod. 15:22-25 provided water that came from rocks in the wilderness, Num. 20:8,11 promised agricultural abundance if covenant was obeyed, Deuteronomy 27-28 split the Jordan River, Josh. 3:14-17; 4:23-24 dried up the Nile and its tributaries, Isa. 19:5 will dry up the Euphrates, Rev. 16:12 water flows from the new temple (Ezek. 47:1) from Jerusalem (Zech. 14:8) and the new heavenly city, Rev. 22:1 For desert people these were truly mighty miracles and proof of God's power because water was a symbol of life itself. Remember, the Nile was viewed as one of the main deities of Egypt (as was Re, the sun god, cf. Isa. 19:18). SPECIAL TOPIC: WATERS/SEA 9:6 "will emit a stench" "This VERB (BDB 276 II, Kb 276, Hiphil PERFECT with waw) occurs only here. It seems to reflect an Arabic root. The abundant dead vegation begins to rot! 19:9 NASB, NJB "white cloth" "fine fabric" NRSV, REB "grow pale" "linen" "chagrined" The MT has חורי, "white cloth" (BDB 301; for Aramaic parallel see Dan. 7:9), but the parallelism fits better with חורו, "grow pale" (BDB 301, cf. Isa. 29:22 only and DSS of this text). The UBS Text Project, p. 43, gives this a "C" rating, considerable doubt). There is obviously an intended play on "white" (חור, BDB 301). 19:10 "the pillars" NKJV, JPSOA "the foundations" NRSV, TEV, NJB, MT "its weavers" "spinners" The MT (BDB 1011, only here) has "foundation" or "stay" (of society), which would refer to the upper class leaders. "Weavers" comes from those translations looking for a balanced parallelism to "hired laborers" (DSS, Targums from Aramaic root, "weavers.") The UBS Text Project, p. 43, gives this a "C" rating) in the second line. The question is, "Is the parallelism synonymous (weavers) or antithetical (upper class and lower class)?" The Hebrew text remains ambiguous (cf. LXX and Peshitta are very different).
Isaías 19:11-15
19:11-15 This strophe is an elaboration of Isa. 19:3. v. 11, "the princes of Zoan" (Tanis, capital of the Delta region) are mere fools (BDB 17, used of Judah in Jer. 4:22) v. 11, "the advice of Pharaoh's wisest advisers has become stupid" (lit. "brutish," BDB 129 II, KB 146, Niphal PARTICIPLE, cf. Jer. 10:14,21; 51:17) v. 13, "the princes of Zoan have acted foolishly" (BDB 383, KB 381, Niphal PARTICIPLE, cf. Jer. 5:4; 50:36) v. 13, "the princes of Memphis (Noph, another Egyptian capital) are deluded" (BDB 674, KB 728, Niphal PERFECT; Hiphil PERFECT used in Gen. 3:13) v. 13, "have led Egypt astray" (BDB 1073, KB 1766, Hiphil PERFECT, cf. Isa. 19:14; 3:12; 9:16; Jer. 23:13,32; Hosea 4:12; Micah 3:5) v. 14, "led astray. . .staggers" (same VERB as #5, here denoting drunkenness) 19:11 Line 4 is idiomatic for a group of wise men, similar to which Daniel was a part in Babylon. The JPSOA has "A scion of Kedomite king." The word "son" functions as "member of a group." SPECIAL TOPIC: "SONS OF. . ." 19:12 YHWH asks a sarcastic rhetorical question. It is structured as two IMPERFECTS (BDB 616, KB 615, and BDB 393, KB 390) used in a JUSSIVE sense (i.e. "let them. . ."). They claimed to be wise (Isa. 19:11d; 1 Kgs. 4:30; Acts 7:22). They claimed to have plans (Isa. 19:3b), but their wisdom and plans are negated in YHWH's purposes (Isa. 19:12a). 19:13 "Those who are the cornerstone of her tribes" Here, "cornerstone" (BDB 819) denotes city leaders (cf. Jdg. 20:2; 1 Sam. 14:38). 19:14 NASB, LXX, JPSOA "mixed" NKJV, Peshitta "mingled" NRSV, JB "poured" REB, NJB "infused" The MT has the VERB "mixed" (מסך, BDB 587, KB 605, Qal PERFECT), which denotes a strong drink (cf. Isa. 5:22). However, because of Isa. 29:10 it is possible the VERB should be נסך ("poured out," BDB 650, KB 703, Qal PERFECT), which is found in the DSS. In either case the point is drunkenness as imagery for confusion and instability. ▣ "a spirit of distortion" The term "spirit" (ruah, BDB 924) could denote mental confusion caused by YHWH these cities being influenced by the demonic simply parallel to drunkenness SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE, I. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEMONIC IN THE OT The term "distortion" (DB 730) is found only here in the OT. It is from the VERB "to warp," BDB says it implies "warped judgment." City leaders unable to think clearly or in a way not affected by their idolatrous worldview. This "confusion" is often a characteristic of YHWH's actions involved in "holy war." 19:15 The second line has two contrasting idioms which denote all levels of society (cf. Isa. 9:14-15). head ‒ tail palm ‒ bulrush There will be a God-sent (cf. Isa. 19:14a) total inability! Those who claimed to be wise (cf. Isa. 19:11d, 12a, 13c) have proven to be unwise because they trusted in false gods false religionists poor plans (cf. Isa. 19:3) All of Egypt's leadership (cf. Isa. 19:11-12), civil and religious, are out of a job, as are all her laborers (cf. Isa. 19:8-10).
Isaías 19:16-17
19:16-17 This describes what YHWH's actions (i.e. "the waving of the hand of the Lord of hosts"; see SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND, I. C.) will do. His purpose (Isa. 19:17b, BDB 420) is that Egyptians will become like women, Isa. 19:16 they will tremble, Isa. 19:16 (BDB 353, KB 350, Qal PERFECT with waw; as did their gods in v. 1) they will be in dread, Isa. 19:16 (BDB 808, KB 922, Qal PERFECT with waw) Judah will become a terror to Egypt, Isa. 19:17 (NOUN, "terror" or "reeling," BDB 291, found only here) they will be in dread, Isa. 19:17 (BDB 808, KB 922, Qal IMPERFECT, same as #3) 19:16 "the Lord of hosts" As the phrase "in that day" links these last five strophes (cf. Isa. 19:16, 18, 19, 23, 24), so does this recurrent title for YHWH (cf. Isa. 19:16, 17, 18, 20, 25 and Lord alone in Isa. 19:19, 20, 21, 22). The covenant God is very active in these wonderfully redemptive strophes for the nations! SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD OF HOSTS
Isaías 19:18
19:18 This is a separate paragraph. It denotes the conversion from idol worship to the worship of YWHH. The "language of Canaan" would denote Hebrew (BDB 488 I). This may be an allusion to Isa. 6:5 or even Gen. 11:1. The phrase "swearing allegiance" (BDB 989, KB 1396, Niphal PARTICIPLE) denotes a new relationship with Judah's God (cf. Isa. 19:19-22, 23, 24-25). This has always been the purpose of divine judgment! ▣ "In that day" Notice the recurrent phrase, "in that day," Isa. 19:16, 18, 19, 23, 24. This points toward specific future days. one of judgment and dread, Isa. 19:16-17 one of conversion (Isa. 19:18, 19-22) and worldwide worship (Isa. 19:23, 24-25) Again, a current crisis (cf. Isa. 19:20) in the ANE reflects an eschatological event. Judgment has a redemptive purpose (cf. Isa. 19:22). Evil, rebellion, and ignorance will not be the last word! YHWH has an eternal redemptive plan and purpose for the whole world (cf. Isa. 19:24b). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "five cities" The reason for this specific number is uncertain. It denotes a conversion, but not a complete (i.e. half of ten, see SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #5) conversion. The question remains, "To whom does it refer?" cities of Jewish settlers cities of Egyptian deities Because of Isa. 19:19-22, 23, 24-25 I choose option #2. This context is not addressing Jews, but Egyptians. ▣ NASB, NKJV "the City of Destruction" NRSV, TEV, NJB, DSS, Targums, Vulgate, REB "the City of the Sun" "Town of Heres" "the city of Asedec" The MT's "destruction" (BDB 249) appears only here. The VERB of the same root (BDB 248) means "to throw down," "break," or "tear down." It may be a play on the Egyptian city that worshiped the "Sun" god (On-Heliopolis, i.e. sun city) or the Jewish temple founded on an island in the Nile River by priests in 162 B.C. חרס, city of the Sun (BDB 357, cf. DSS, Targums, Vulgate) הרס, city of destruction (BDB 249) The implication is that the temples to Ra (sun god) have been torn down. The Hebrew word sun has the same consonants as "ban" (i.e. devoted to destruction). There may be a double wordplay.
Isaías 19:19-22
19:19 "an altar (BDB 258). . .a pillar (BDB 663)" This raised stone represented the place where deity appeared or was worshiped. It could be positive (represent YHWH) or negative (represent the fertility gods of Canaan). positive Jacob at Bethel ‒ Gen. 28:18; 35:14 Jacob at Mizpah, a covenant sign with his father-in-law ‒ Gen. 31:45,51-52 Moses at Sinai ‒ Exod. 24:4 Transjordan tribes ‒ Josh. 22:10,26-27 negative Moses' warning about sacred pillars, stone figures ‒ Lev. 26:1; Deut. 7:5; 12:3 symbol of Ba'al, the male fertility god of Canaan ‒ 2 Kgs. 3:2; 10:26-27; 17:10; Isa. 27:9 Micah ‒ Micah 5:10-15 For the Israelites these stone pillars must be uncut, no human or animal features. YHWH, therefore, could be represented in some ways by a natural, physical object. SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE DEITY, I. E. ▣ NASB, NKJV, Peshitta "in the midst of the land of Egypt" NRSV, NJB "in the center of the land of Egypt" "in the heart of Egypt" "at its border" "inside the land of Egypt" Because of the use of this term (BDB 1063) in Josh. 3:17; 4:3,9,10,18, it should be understood as "brink," not "middle." This is the origin of "at its border" in the LXX. When does this event occur? the small Jewish temple built by Jewish mercenaries on an island in the Nile (Elephantine, modern Aswan, at the first cataract of the Nile), sometime before 525 B.C. the Jewish temple (modeled after the temple in Jerusalem) built at Leontopolis by Onias IV, an outcast Jewish high priest from Jerusalem, about 160 B.C. (cf. Josephus, Antiq. 12.9.7; 13.3.3) an eschatological event For more historical information on these two Jewish temples in Egypt, see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 340-342. 19:19-20 What a wonderful, but surprising event that a physical presence of YHWH will be established in Egypt. YHWH loves the people of the nations! They are made in His image. He seeks them. He wants to know them! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "a sign" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SIGN (OT) 19:20 This process is comparable to how YHWH dealt with Israel in the book of Judges. The cruel judgment of invasion and occupation (cf. Isa. 19:4) brings repentance and faith in God and His ability and willingness to act in deliverance. Egypt has come to that spiritual moment and YHWH responds. What a great witness this context is about the character of Israel's God. He is willing to forgive and fully accept His covenant people's enemies. He is truly the God of the nations, the Savior of the world (cf. John 3:16; Titus 1:3; 2:10; 3:4). SPECIAL TOPIC: OUR SAVIOR (title) ▣ "a Savior and a Champion" In context this refers to one who will defeat the cruel master and mighty king of Isa. 19:4, but ultimately it has Messianic implications. In Isaiah this "Savior" is YHWH Himself and no other (cf. Isa. 43:3,11; 45:15,21), but from the NT we know it was the Messiah acting as YHWH's representative (i.e. Isa. 28:16; Rom. 9:30-33; 10:9-13; 1 Pet. 2:6-10). a Savior, BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil PARTICIPLE a defender, BDB 936, KB 1224, Qal PARTICIPLE a deliverer, BDB 664, KB 717, Hiphil PERFECT with waw 19:21 "the Lord will make Himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord" This is a play on the Hebrew word "know" (BDB 393, KB 390), which denotes both knowledge of and personal relationship with. SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW (using mostly Deuteronomy as a paradigm) ▣ "worship" Notice the elements of worship (BDB 712, KB 773, Qal PERFECT with waw) mentioned. sacrifice, BDB 257 offering, BDB 585 vow, BDB 623, KB 674, Qal PERFECT They will not only do the rituals of worship, but will live out (BDB 1022, KB 1532, Piel PERFECT with waw, lit. "perform") those rituals (i.e. vows). SPECIAL TOPIC: WORSHIP SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON HIS NAME 19:22 YHWH's actions toward Egypt mimic His actions toward the covenant people. He strikes them (twice, BDB 619, KB 669) they cry out to Him, Isa. 19:20 He heals them (twice, BDB 950, KB 1272) they return to Him (BDB 996, KB 1427, this is the Hebrew term for repentance; see SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE) He responds to them (BDB 801 I, KB 905, Niphal PERFECT with waw, see IMPERFECT in Gen. 25:21; 2 Chr. 33:13; Ezra 8:23. YHWH hears and responds to faithful repentance). Be sure to note that judgment (i.e. striking) was for the purpose of establishing (or for Israel, restoring) a relationship with YHWH.
Isaías 19:23
19:23 There will be a free-flowing movement between nations for the purpose of worshiping YHWH. The nations have come! It is interesting how many times Isaiah uses the imagery of a highway. a highway for the exiled Jews to return, Isa. 11:16; 57:14 a highway for Gentile worshipers to come, Isa. 19:23 a highway of holiness, Isa. 26:7; 35:8; 43:19; 49:11; 51:10 a Messianic highway, Isa. 40:3; 42:16
Isaías 19:24-25
19:25 These are covenant phrases now used for the hated Egyptians and Assyrians. Compare this with Isa. 45:14-17. What a contrast. It is so hard to hold these together (i.e. the nations loved, the nations judged). I choose Isa. 19:22! I choose Isa. 19:20!