Commentari biblici

Isa 30:1-32.

THE THIRTIETH THROUGH THIRTY-SECOND CHAPTERS REFER PROBABLY TO THE SUMMER OF 714 B.C., AS THE TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER TO THE PASSOVER OF THAT YEAR.

Jewish ambassadors were now on their way to Egypt to seek aid against Assyria

(Isa 30:2-6, 15; 31:1).

Isaiah denounces this reliance on Egypt rather than on Jehovah. God had prohibited such alliances with heathen nations, and it was a leading part of Jewish polity that they should be a separate people

(Ex 23:32; De 7:2).

1. take counsel--rather, as

Isa 30:4, 6

imply, "execute counsels."

cover . . . covering--that is, wrap themselves in reliances disloyal towards Jehovah. "Cover" thus answers to "seek to hide deeply their counsel from the Lord"

(Isa 29:15).

But the Hebrew is literally, "who pour out libations"; as it was by these that leagues were made

(Ex 24:8; Zec 9:11),

translate, "who make a league."

not of--not suggested by My Spirit"

(Nu 27:21; Jos 9:14).

that they may add--The consequence is here spoken of as their intention, so reckless were they of sinning: one sin entails the commission of another

(De 29:19).

2. walk--are now setting out, namely, their ambassadors

(Isa 30:4).

Egypt--See on

Isa 19:1;

Isa 20:1.

Pharaoh--the generic name of the kings of Egypt, as Cæsar was at Rome. The word in Egyptian means "king" [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 8.6,2]. Phra, "the sun," was the hieroglyphic symbol and title of the king.

shadow--image from shelter against heat: protection

(Ps 121:5, 6).

3. shame--disappointment. Egypt, weakened by its internal dissensions, can give no solid help.

4. his--Judah's (compare

Isa 9:21).

at Zoan--are already arrived there on their errand to Pharaoh (see

Isa 19:11).

came to Hanes--are come there. West of the Nile, in central Egypt: Egyptian Hnes; the Greek Heracleopolis: perhaps the Anysis of HERODOTUS (2.137); according to GROTIUS, Tahpanhes contracted

(Jer 43:7-9);

the seat of a reigning prince at the time, as was Zoan, hence the Jewish ambassadors go to both.

5.

(Jer 2:36.)

6. burden--the prophecy as to, &c. [MAURER]; so the Septuagint, the fresh inscription here marks emphatically the prediction that follows. Or, rather, Isaiah sees in vision, the ambassador's beasts burdened with rich presents travelling southwards (namely, to Egypt,

Da 11:5, 6),

and exclaims, Oh, the burden of treasure on the beasts! &c.

(Ho 8:9; 12:1).

land of trouble--the desert between Palestine and Egypt, destitute of water and abounding in dangerous animals

(De 8:15; Jer 2:6).

flying serpent--

(Isa 14:29),

a species which springs like a dart from trees, on its prey.

will carry--rather, present, "carry," namely, as presents to Egypt

(1Ki 15:19).

young asses--rather, "full-grown asses" [MAURER].

7. "Egypt is vanity, and to no purpose will they help" [G. V. SMITH].

strength--Hebrew, Rabah, a designation for Egypt

(Isa 51:9; Ps 87:4),

implying her haughty fierceness; translate, "Therefore I call her Arrogance that sitteth still." She who boasted of the help she would give, when it came to the test, sat still

(Isa 36:6).

English Version agrees with

Isa 30:15; Isa 7:4.

8. table--a tablet

(Hab 2:2),

which should be set in public, containing the prophecy in a briefer form, to be read by all.

a book--namely, a parchment roll, containing the prophecy in full, for the use of distant posterity. Its truth will be seen hereafter when the event has come to pass. See on

Isa 8:1;

Isa 8:16.

for ever and ever--rather read, "For a testimony for ever" [Chaldee, JEROME, LOWTH]: "testimony is often joined to the notion of perpetuity

(De 31:19, 21, 26).