CHAP. XXIX. V. 1. This and the three following chapters contain predictions concerning Egypt, which were delivered at different times. ( Marg . Ref.)
and cut off man beast out of thee.
k 31:18. 32:4-6. 39:4-6,11- 20. Ps. 110:5,6. Jer. 8:2. 16: 4. 25:33.
* Heb. face of the field. 11 Sam. 17:44. Ps. 74:14. Jer. 7:33. 34:20. Rev. 19:17,18. m 28:22-24,26. Ex. 9:14. 14: 18.
n 2 Kings 18:21. Is. 20:5,6. 30:
3-5. 31:1-3. 36:6. Jer. 2: 36. Lam. 4:17.
ο 17:15-17. Jer. 37:5-11. p Ps. 118:8,9. 146:3,4. Prov. 25:19. Jer. 17-5,6.
q 19,20. 14:17. 30:4,5,10,11. Jer. 46:13,&c.
r 25:13. 32:10-13. Gen. 6:7. Ex. 12:12. Jer. 7:20. 32:43.
and as Herodotus informs us, he boasted 'that no 'god could deprive him of his kingdom.' Thisimpiety was as
in that absurd, as if the crocodile should made it for himself. ( Marg . Ref . g.-- Note , 28:2-5.) But the Lord was able to deal with this unruly monster, who lay fearless in his rivers, and set the universe at defiance: he meant to destroy him and his forces, as if he had dragged the crocodile forth with a hook, and all the fish of the river had stuck to his scales, and they had been all cast together upon a dry and desert place, to be devoured by the wild beasts and the birds of prey. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . h-1.)Bochart observes, that the word Pharaoh signifies a crocodile , in Arabic. -The Egyptians in process of time, wearied with the tyranny and cruelty of Hophra, revolted from him, and under Amasis they routed and destroyed his army, and all that adhered to him: at length, he too fell into the conqueror's hands, and was strangled by him; and thus Amasis succeeded to the throne, after Egypt had suffered most dreadful miseries by these intestine dissensions. ( Notes , 8–13. Is . 19:1-17. 20: Jer. 43:8-13. 44:29,30. 46:13-26.)- I will put hooks , & c . (4) Notes , 2 Kings 19:27,28.
Job 41:1-11.)
V. 6, 7. The events, fulfilling this and other prophecies, would be suited to convince the Egyptians that the God of Israel was the Lord of the whole earth. They would be thus punished because they had seduced the Israelites into a dependence on them, and then deceived them to their ruin. Both Israel and Judah had very sinfully formed alliances with the Egyptians; and, relying on them, had engaged in wars with the Assyrians and Chaldeans. But Egypt proved to them like "a staff of reed," which will not bear the weight of those who lean on it; but breaking pierces their hands or arms, and leaves them in pain to stagger or fall. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 2 Kings 18:20,21. Is . 20:5,6. 30:1-7. 31:1-3. Jer. 2:33
V. 2-5. (Notes, Is. 18: 19: 20:) Pharaohhophra, or Apries, king of Egypt, was here represented by a great dragon, or crocodile, lying in the midst of his rivers. ( Marg . Ref . f. -Notes, 32:2-6. Ps . 74:13-17. Is . 27:1. 51:9 -11.) The river Nile, and the streams and canals which communicated with it, rendered Egypt peculiarly prosperous and wealthy: and that river abounds with crocodiles; which are very voracious, and domineer over the other inhabitants of the river, as if they were the sole proprietors, and placed there to devour all the rest. Such was Pharaoh-hophra: he was a man of a very haughty, tyrannical, and cruel disposition; and having prospered for several years, he grew exceedingly arrogant; || -37, vv . 36,37. 37:1-10.)
9 And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD; because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it .
10 Behold, therefore, I am against thee, and against thy rivers, and " I will make the land of Egypt * utterly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene, even unto the border of Ethiopia.
11 No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years.
12 And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years: a and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
s 10-12. 30:7,13-17. Jer. 43: Heb. Seveneh. 10-13.
t 3. Prov. 16:18. 18:12. 29:23. 0 11. 30:12.
* Heb. wastes of waste.
† Or, from Migdol to Syene. 30:6-9. Ex. 14:2. Jer 44:1. 46:14.
x 30:10-13. 31:12. 32:13.33: 28. 36:28. Jer: 43:11,12.
y 2 Chr. 36:21. Is. 23:15,17. Jer. 25:11,12. 29:10. Dan. 9:2. z 30:7. Jer. 25:15-19. 27:6- 11.
a 30:23,26. Jer. 46:19.
V.8-13. The preceding figurative prediction related principally to the king of Egypt; what follows chiefly respected the nation: that foretold the ruin of Hophra and his party by civil wars; this relates to the desolations occasioned by the victorious arms of Nebuchadnezzar, some years after. It is probable, that the people had approved of the proud and imperious language of their king, and so were punished as accomplices in his crime. ( Marg . Ref . t.
See on Note , 2-5.)-The Lord caused Nebuchadnezzar to invade Egypt; and gave him such success, that he put a stop to the commerce of the people, and to their intercourse with their neighbors, nay to their agriculture and journeying; and even reduced the country to a desert "from the tower of Syene," or rather "from Migdol to Syene," "even to the borders of Ethiopia;" from the entrance into Egypt out of Asia, to Ethiopia; from one end of the land to the other. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . u.-30:6. marg .) History informs us that Nebuchadnezzar conquered Egypt, and carrying multitudes of prisoners thence, dispersed them in different parts of his dominions: and doubtless great numbers perished, or took shelter in other nations, at the same time. But we are not sufficiently informed of the transactions of those ages, to shew the exact fulfilment of this part of the prophecy, as has been done in other instances. It was, however, predicted, that the land would continue desolate, and the inhabitants dispersed, till forty years were expired.
The end of this term nearly coincided with that of the ruin of the Babylonish monarchy; and it is probable, that Cyrus permitted the captive Egyptians to return, and re-people their own land, as well as the captive Jews. (Marg. Ref . x-b.- Notes , Jer . 44:29,30. 46:26.) -The calamities that befel the Egyptians are 'passed over by Herodotus; because the Egyp'tian priests would not inform him of any thing 'that tended to the disgrace of their nation. Scaliger , quoted by Lowth .
thing
V. 14, 15. In a few years after the time that this prophecy was delivered, the Egyptians were reduced reduced by the Chaldeans, and Egypt has
14 And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a Il base kingdom.
15 It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more e rule over the nations.
16 And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which & bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
been governed by foreigners, and been tributary to other nations, from that time to the present day. It was during many ages one of the most renowned kingdoms in the world: but it had first oppressed, and then seduced and deceived, the people of God; and this sentence was therefore denounced against it. After the ruin of the Babylonish monarchy, it was subdued by the Persians, and though it frequently revolted they always recovered dominion over it. It afterwards fell under the power of the Macedonians; then it became subject to the Romans, and at length a province of that empire.
The Saracens next subdued it; then the Mamelucks; and lastly the Turks, to whom it remains in the most abject servitude at this day. Thus for above two thousand years, Egypt has continued "a base" and tributary "kingdom," not able to "exalt itself above the nations," as formerly; nor have the inhabitants, during all these ages, been permitted to live under princes of their own race.
So that, when at any time they have attempted to shake off the yoke, the short space, during which they aimed at independence, was as nothing to this long succession of ages: and even then, they were rather unsuccessfully struggling for liberty than actually enjoying it. This is a most astonishing accomplishment of a most singular prophecy: for who could have conceived, that so renowned and powerful a country should have been thus permanently subjected to foreigners? ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , 17:5,6,13,14, v . 14. Gen. 9:24,25.)
V. 16. The Egyptians being reduced into subjection, the Jews were never afterwards tempted to place any confidence in them, as they had before done. (See on Note , 6,7.)Their confidence in Egypt "brought their iniquity to remembrance:" either it provoked the Lord to call their sins to remembrance, that he might punish them; or when the Jews in after ages should look upon the abject state of Egypt, it would cause them to remember, and be ashamed of the sin committed by their ancestors, in depending on that people. ( Marg . Ref .)
571.
17 And it came to pass in the || shall take her multitude, and take her
B. C. ] seven and twentieth year, in the first month , in the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
18 Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled; yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:
19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GoD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he
V. 17-20. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre thirteen years before he took it.
During the siege his soldiers had endured great hardship; their heads had been made bald by constantly wearing their helmets, and their shoulders had been peeled by carrying materials to form the works; and the king must have been at incalculable expense in the undertaking: yet when the Tyrians found that their city must fall, they sent away their most valuable effects, either to the city on the island, or to their colonies; or else they destroyed them: so that the plunder of the city was not sufficient to defray the charges of the siege, or to recompense the labors of the army. ( Marg .
Ref . k.) But the Lord considered Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans as his servants, in executing his predicted vengeance on the Tyrians; and he purposed to give them a suitable recompense. He would therefore employ them in the conquest of Egypt; which, being weakened by civil wars, would be an easy prey, and abundantly enrich them with its spoil. This prophecy was a confirmation of the preceding, which had been delivered almost seventeen years before. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . )
V.21.
This may refer to the increasing influence and authority of Daniel, in the court of Nebuchadnezzar; and the more favorable disposition of that prince to the religion of the Jews, during the latter part of his life: or, to the deliverance of Jeconiah from prison, and the favor shewn him by Evil-merodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar; which was a token for good to the house of Israel, in that the family of David began again in some measure to pros per . ( Note , 2 Kings 25:27-30.) But some think that "that day" relates to the termination of the forty years of Egypt's 's desolations, when the captivity of the Jews would also cease.
We may suppose, that Ezekiel continued prophesying, when Daniel was in aut authority, and after Jeconiah's enlargement, with greater encouragement and effect than before: but this, as connected with the former part of the next chapter, seems to be the latest prophecy of his which has been transmitted to us. 'When thy prophecies are made good by the 'event, this shall add a new authority to what 'thou speakest. (24:27.)' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref . )
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Wherever we turn our attention, we discover evidences of the pride and folly of the human heart; and of the abhorrence with which God beholds those, who forget their dependence on him, and rob him of the glory due to his name.-Prosperous oppressors are, among
spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.
20 I have given him the land of Egypt for his t labor wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GoD.
21 In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and 1 will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know
that I am the LORD. * Heb. spoil her spoil, and prey her prey.
for, hire.
m 2 Kings 10:30. Is. 10:6,7. 45: 1-3. Jer. 25:9.
n 28:25,26. 1 Sam. 2:10. Ps.
92:10. 112:9. 132:17. 148:14. Is. 27:6. Jer. 23:5. Luke 1.69. ο 3:26. 24:27. 33:22. Ps. 51:15. Am. 3:7,8. Luke 21:15. Col. 4 : 3,4.
p 6,9,16.
the human species, as crocodiles in a river, or sea-monsters in the great waters: and whilst they prey without remorse on their inferiors, they should be regarded as the common enemies of mankind. Yet, they have commonly bewitched the greatest part of those, whom they have enslaved, into a stupid admiration of their power and success, and into a pertinacious adherence to them even to their own ruin!-When princes and their subjects unite in impiety and iniquity, the Lord often renders them reciprocally the occasions and instruments of each other's punishment.
For he is against, and will shew himself above, the most powerful and insolent workers of iniquity; and can easily subdue those who set all others, and even him, at defiance. He fights against those who injure his people, and still more against such as seduce them from their confidence in him and draw them into sin. And though they deserve to be deceived, wounded, and deserted by those in whom they have sinfully confided; yet their tempters and deceivers must expect the severest punishment.
The desolating judgments and the avenging sword, which the Lord has sent forth into all parts of the earth, and the inconceivable miseries and havoc that war has made in every age and nation, prove that the world is full of wickedness: and these lamentable scenes not only illustrate the justice of God; but they are the natural effect of man's pride, revenge, ambition, avarice, and callous selfishness: they prove him to be the child, and to bear the image, of the arch-apostate, "the murderer from the beginning;" and to possess the same nature with the first-born of fallen Adam, who murdered his righteous brother.
But it is a relief to the pious and humane mind to discern traces of the superintending providence of God, and of the truth of his word, in reviewing these dark transactions.
The hi history of nations, in their rise, rise, progress, and decline, is the best exposition of ancient prophecies: all events, in one way or other, fulfil the scriptures, and turn to the believer "for a testimony;" when he remembers, that "thus it was written and thus it must be." All things work together for the good of the church: even nations are reduced, to remove from the people of God the occasions of sin, and to promote their holiness: and in the midst of the most tremendous scenes of war and bloodshed, he is bringing forward those glorious times of truth, and righteousness, and peace, which he has promised shall succeed these convulsions.
Thus in the deepest scenes of our adversity he sows the seed of our future prosperity. The Lord "hath raised up for us a Horn of salva
THE word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
again
2 Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord God; a Howl ye, Woe worth the day!
3 For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near, a cloudy day; it shall bed the time of the heathen.
4 And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great * pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, fand they shall take away her multitude, & and her foundations shall be broken down.
5 Ethiopia, and † Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub,
a 21:12. Is. 13:6. 14:31. 15:2. 16:7. 23:1.6. 65:14. Jer. 4:8. 47:2. Joel 1:5,11. Zeph. 1:11. Zech. 11:2. Jam. 5:1. Rev. 13:10.
b 7:7,12. Ps. 37:13. Ob. 15. Zeph. 1:7,14. Matt. 24:33. Phil. 4:5. Jam. 5:9. Rev. 6:17. с 18. 32:7, 34:12. Ex. 14:20, 24. Is. 19:1. Joel 2:1,2. Am. 5:16-20.
25:15--29. Joel 3:11-14. 7.eph. 3:6,7. Zech. 14,3-19. Rev. 19:13-21.
e 29:8. Is. 19:2. Jer. 50:35-37. * Or, fear. 9. Ex. 15:14-16. Ps. 48:6,7. Is. 19:16,17. Rev. 18:9,10.
f 10, 29:12,19.
g Is. 16:7. Jer. 50:15. h Is. 18:1. 20:4, Jer. 46:9. Nah. 3 : 8,9.
Heb. Phut. 27:10.
d 29:12. Ps. 110:6. 149:7-9. Is. 24:21-23. 34:2, &c. Jer. i Jer. 25:20,24, 50:37.
tion in the house of his servant David;" and he will shortly raise up ministers, and open their mouths to proclaim his gospel throughout the earth. Like a rich and generous master, he will not let any man serve him for nothing: if he employ ambitious or covetous men as his executioners, he will recompense them accord- ing to the leading desires of their hearts: and verily every man shall have his reward. Hap- py then are they, who desire his favor, grace, and image, and seek their happiness in the spiritual blessings of his new covenant: they will delight in his service, and not covet any recompense, except his merciful acceptance; while the riches, honors, and pleasures which they have chosen, are ensured to them for ever and ever.
NOTES.