The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 490

EXPOSITION we.s probably, at the time, In the hands OHAPTER XXX. of Tirkakah (2 Kings xix. 9); but Lower Vera. 1-7.-TaE ALLIANCE WITH EGYPT Egypt seems to have been ruled by various OPENLY REBUKED, In the preceding chapter princes, the chief of whom was Shabatolr, (ver. 15) the design of the Jewish rulers to and any one of these may have been regarded by Isaiah as a " Pharaoh." To trust in the seek the alliance of Egypt was covertly shadow of Egypt. Trust in the "shadow glanced at and condemned; now it is openly of God" was an expression very familiar to declared ond rebuked. The rulers ore the Jews (see Ps. xvii. 8; xxxvi. 7; lxiii. warned that no good can possibly come of it, 7 ; xei. 1 ; eh. xxv. 4; xxxii. 2). To "trust even in II worldly sense. The Egyptians in the shadow of Egypt" was to put Egypt will give no aid, or at any rate no eft'ectue.l in the place of God. Ver. 4. - His prinoes were at Zoan. aid. The sums expended in purchasing "Zoan" is undoubtedly Tanis, which is their friendship will be utterly thrown away. now "San," a heap of rnins in the Delta, Ver. 1.-Woe to the rebellious children where some interesting remains of the (comp. eh. i. 23; lxv. 2). The word trans- shepherd-kings have been discovered. It lated "rebellious" is used in Deut. rn. 18, was a. favourite capital of the monarchs 20 of the persistently disobedient son, who of the nineteentll dynasty, and seems to we.s to be brought before the elders and have been the scene of the struggle between stoned to death. That take counsel ; rather, Moses and the Pharaoh of the Exodns (Pa. that form plans, such as the plan now lxxviii. 12, 43). It then declined, but is formed to call in the a.id of Egypt. It must said to have been the birthplace of the first be borne in mind that, under the theocracy, king of the twenty-first dynasty. In the there was an authorized mode of consulting Ethiopian period it rose once more to some God, and receiving an answer fro;m him, importance, lllld was o.t one time the capital in any political emergency. That cover of a principality (see G. Smith's 'Asahnr- with a covering. The exact metaphor em- bani-po.l,' pp. 21, 26, 32). The "princes" ployed is uncertain. lllr. Cheyne renders, hero spoken of nre probably Hezekio.h's "that weave a web;" Dr. Kay, "that pour ambassadors. His ambassadors came to out e. molten image.'' The meaning, how- Hanes. "Hanes" has been genero.lly ever, in any case is, "that carry out 11 identified with the modem Esnes, a design," the clause being a mere voriant of village between Memphis and Thebes, the preceding one. The.t they may add which is thought to mark the site of Hera- sin to sin; i.e. " to add a fresh sin to e.11 cleopolis Magna. Bnt it ho.s been well their former sins.'' remarked that the Jewish envoys would Ver. 2.-That we.lk; or, a,·e on their way scarcely have proceeded so fo.r. Mr. R. S. (comp. oh. xxxi. 1). Either the Jewish Poole suggests, instead of Eanes, Tahpenes, ambaeso.dors ho.ve already started, or the or Daphnm (' Diet. of the Bible,' vol. i. p. anticipatory vision of the prophet sees them 753); but that name 1s somewhat remote as if starting. In the history (2 Kings from Hanes. Perhaps it would be beat to xviii. 18-37; eh. xxxvi. 1-22) it is not acknowledge that " Hanes" cannot at pre- expressly said that Hezekiah made applica- sent be identified. It was probably not tion to Egypt for aid ; but the reproaches very far from Tanis. of Rabshakeh (2 Kings xviii. 21, 24) would Ver. 5.-They were ell ashamed; rather, be pointless if he had not done so. Have all ara ashamed. The reference is not to not o.sked e.t my mouth. Ao they ought the ambassadors, who felt no shame in their to have done (see Numb. xxvii. 21; Judg. embassy, o.nd probably returned elated by i. 1 ; :xx. 18 ; 1 Sam. xxiii. :l ; 1 Kings the promis88 made them ; but to the sub- xxii. 7, etc.). To strengthen themselvea sequent feelings of the Jewish nation, when in the strength of Pharaoh, It is very un- it was discovered by sad experience tho.t no certain who is the "Pho.raoh" here in- reliance was to be placed on " the strength \l!nded. The supreme power over Egypt of Ph11moh.'' A people that oould not -profit 490 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAII. [on. ux. 1~88.