Isaiah 19:3

“And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof, &c.] Meaning not the spirit of valour and courage, that is expressed before, but of wisdom, prudence, and understanding; the wisdom of Egypt, in which Moses is said to be brought up, (<440722>Acts 7:22) was famous all the world over; hither men of learning, as the ancient philosophers, Pythagoras, Plato, and others, travelled, to improve in knowledge, and gain a larger acquaintance with things human and divine; it was the mother and mistress of the liberal arts and sciences; but now what was before like a river full of water, was about to be “emptied”, and drained dry, as the wordf365 used signifies: and I will destroy the counsels…”

“spirit--wisdom, for which Egypt was famed (Isa 31:2; Kg1 4:30; Act 7:22); answering to "counsel" in the parallel clause. fail--literally, "be poured out," that is, be made void (Jer 19:7). They shall "seek" help from sources that can afford none, "charmers," &c. (Isa 8:19). charmers--literally, "those making a faint sound"; the soothsayers imitated the faint sound which was attributed to the spirits of the dead (see on Isa 8:19).”

“And the spirit of Egypt - (see Isaiah 19:1). They shall be exhausted with their long internal contentions and strifes; and seeing no prospect of deliverance, and anxious that the turmoils should end, they shall seek counsel and refuge in their gods and necromancers, but in vain. Shall fail - (נבקה nâbeqâh). Margin, ‘Be emptied.’ The word means, literally, “to pour out, empty, depopulate.” Here it means that they would become disheartened and discouraged. And I will destroy - Margin, as the Hebrew, ‘I will swallow up.’ So the word is used in Psalms 107:27, ‘All their wisdom is destroyed’ (Hebrew, ‘swallowed up. ‘) And they shall seek to the idols - According to Herodotus (ii. 152),…”

“The spirit - Their courage. Isaiah 19:4”

“19:3 Idols . . . spirits, mediums, and those who consult the spirits of the dead were called upon in an attempt to ward off impending destruction (see 8:19-22; 47:12-13).”

“the spirit: This is a prophecy of what took place in Egypt about twenty-two years after the destruction of Sennacherib's army; when, upon the death of Tirhakah (bc 688), not being able to settle about the succession, they continued for two years in a state of anarchy, confusion, and civil wars; which was followed by the tyranny of twelve princes, who, dividing the country among them, governed it for fifteen years; and at last, by the sole dominion of Psammiticus, which he held for fifty-four years. Isa 19:1, Isa 19:11-13, Isa 57:16; Sa1 25:37; Psa 76:12; Jer 46:15; Eze 21:7, Eze 22:14 fail: Heb. be emptied and I: Isa 14:27; Sa2 15:31, Sa2 17:14, Sa2 17:23; Ch2 25:16-20; Job 5:12, Job 5:13;…”