Isaiah Chapter 19:1-17

Chapter 19 of Isaiah is divided in two parts. The first is from verse 1 through 17 and the second is from verses 18 to 25. Isaiah calls the first section an "oracle." Thirteen of the 16 times when Isaiah uses the word "mas’a" (burden or oracle), it has the meaning of a coming series of calamities rather than simply a load to carry. For instance, 13:1 is therefore a description of troublous times for Egypt within the time context when there was a strong Jewish state that is described in the chapter and the extension of Jewish worship with a temple in the heartland of Egypt. The last part of chapter 19 is very well have been fulfilled in the Macabbean period, according to Joseph Blenkinsopp. In that case the first part of the "Mas'a" is said to take place "in t

"And there will not be for Egypt a deed, which head and tail, shoot and stalk can do." In 9:14-15 the phrase "head or tail" refers to leaders and prophets, respectively. This interpretation makes good sense in this context, where both leaders and advisers (probably including prophets and diviners) are mentioned. Here, as in 9:14, "shoots and stalk" picture a reed, which symbolizes the leadership of the nation in its entirety.

Those who make clothes from combed flax will be embarrassed; those who weave will turn pale (the meaning "white stuff" for Hebrew yrwj; 1QIsa has wrwj, probably a Qal perfect, third plural form of rwj, "be white, pale." The latter reading is assumed in the translation above).

5 And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.

17 And the land of Judah shall be a terror to Egypt, every one that makes mention of it shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he has determined against it.

Some topics in this essay:
Akkadian Coptic, Aramaic Aphel, Rome Egypt, Jeremiah Jewish, Blenkinsopp Civil, Messiah Christ, Egyptians Egypt, Neither Egypt, Noph Memphis, Lord LORD, lord hosts, zoan fools, leads armies, ancient kings, lord leads, lord leads armies, land judah, officials zoan fools, idols egypt, head tail, son ancient, officials zoan, son ancient kings, idols spirits dead, conjure underworld spirits,