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Isaiah 19:10

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 19:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the pillars [of Egypt] shall be broken in pieces; all they that work for hire [shall be] grieved in soul.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the pillars [of Egypt] shall be broken in pieces; all they that work for hire [shall be] grieved in soul.
Isaiah 19:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7The meadows by the Nile, by the brink of the Nile, and all the sown fields of the Nile, shall become dry, be driven away, and be no more.
8And the fishers shall lament, and all they that cast angle into the Nile shall mourn, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.
9Moreover they that work in combed flax, and they that weave white cloth, shall be confounded.
10And the pillars [of Egypt] shall be broken in pieces; all they that work for hire [shall be] grieved in soul.
11The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish; the counsel of the wisest counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?
12Where then are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now; and let them know what Jehovah of hosts hath purposed concerning Egypt.
13The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Memphis are deceived; they have caused Egypt to go astray, that are the corner-stone of her tribes.
← Isaiah 19:9Isaiah 19:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, &c.] Meaning either the persons that work in flax, or in making nets; who shall be disappointed in their views, expectations, and designs, in bringing them to a good market, since there will be no buyers. The word for “purposes” signifies foundations, as in (<191103>Psalm 11:3) and may design dams and banks, that are made to keep in the water, which shall be broken down, and be of no service to answer the end; but Kimchi observes, that the word in the Talmudic language signifies “nets”, as it doesf379; and this seems to be most agreeable to the context; and then the words may be rendered, “and its nets shall be broken”f380; shall lie and rot…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“in the purposes--rather, "the foundations," that is, "the nobles shall be broken" or brought low: so Isa 3:1; Psa 11:3; compare Isa 19:13, "The princes--the stay of the tribes. The Arabs call a prince "a pillar of the people" [MAURER]. "Their weaving-frames" [HORSLEY]. "Dykes" [BARNES]. all that make sluices, &c.--"makers of dams," made to confine the waters which overflow from the Nile in artificial fish-ponds [HORSLEY]. "Makers of gain," that is, the common people who have to earn their livelihood, as opposed to the "nobles" previously [MAURER].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And they shall be broken - There has been a great variety of opinion in regard to the interpretation of this verse, and much difficulty in the construction of the Hebrew words. The Vulgate renders it, ‘And its wet places shall fail; all who make ponds to take fish.’ The Septuagint, ‘And all who make beer (ζύθον zuthon) shall lament, and shall afflict their souls.’ This ζύθον zuthon was a sort of malt liquor made of fruits by fermentation, and was used in Egypt in the place of wine, since the grape did not flourish there. Jerome on this place says, that this was much used also in Dalmatia and Pannonia, and was commonly called “Sabaium.” The Chaldee renders this, ‘And the place where they…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thereof - Of Egypt, or of the Egyptians. They shall lose their hopes; for the fishes in them shall die for want of water. Isaiah 19:11”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“purposes: Heb. foundations make: Exo 7:19, Exo 8:5; Deu 11:10 for fish: or, of living things Isaiah 19:11”
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Related study paths

Read Isaiah 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification