Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.
Isaiah 19:9 belongs to a prophecy concerning Egypt. Those who work in fine flax and weave networks are linen and cotton manufactories, with the margin giving the sense as white works. They are confounded by the failure and drying up of the waters, for the loss of the life-giving waters brings distress to the people and their work. The same judgment on the waters includes the withering of reeds and flags and everything sown by the brooks and the mourning of fishers.
A great part of the chapter, including its historical subject, has already been fulfilled in Egypt. The passage foretells that Egypt would be invaded, conquered and spoiled, fall into the hands of strangers, become the basest of kingdoms, and renounce idolatry. The verse marks one stage of that subjugation in Egypt being subjected to the Macedonians under Alexander the Great, after invasion and subduing by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and subjection by the Persians under Cambyses, and before rule under the Ptolemies, Romans, Saracens, Mamelukes and Turks, leaving no native prince, with idols cut off, rivers drying, and the people reduced to poverty and servitude under foreigners. The prophecy refers to the preaching of the gospel in Egypt and Assyria in New Testament times. The verse describes the day of the Lord when the vials of wrath are poured out and the waters fail from the sea and the rivers are wasted and dried up.
Isaiah 19:9 belongs to a prophecy concerning Egypt. Those who work in fine flax and weave networks are linen and cotton manufactories, with the margin giving the sense as white works. They are confounded by the failure and drying up of the waters, for the loss of the life-giving waters brings distress to the people and their work. The same judgment on the waters includes the withering of reeds and flags and everything sown by the brooks and the mourning of fishers.
A great part of the chapter, including its historical subject, has already been fulfilled in Egypt. The passage foretells that Egypt would be invaded, conquered and spoiled, fall into the hands of strangers, become the basest of kingdoms, and renounce idolatry. The verse marks one stage of that subjugation in Egypt being subjected to the Macedonians under Alexander the Great, after invasion and subduing by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and subjection by the Persians under Cambyses, and before rule under the Ptolemies, Romans, Saracens, Mamelukes and Turks, leaving no native prince, with idols cut off, rivers drying, and the people reduced to poverty and servitude under foreigners. The prophecy refers to the preaching of the gospel in Egypt and Assyria in New Testament times. The verse describes the day of the Lord when the vials of wrath are poured out and the waters fail from the sea and the rivers are wasted and dried up.