Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 19:1

"The burden of Egypt. Behold, Jehovah rideth upon a swift cloud, and cometh unto Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall tremble at his presence; and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it." — Isaiah 19:1 (ASV)

The burden of Egypt - This is the title of the prophecy. For the meaning of the word “burden,” see the note at Isaiah 13:1. The word ‘Egypt’ in the original is מצרים mı̂ts^erayı̂m; and it was so called after Mizraim the second son of Ham, and grandson of Noah.

Sometimes it is called Mazor (2 Kings 19:24; Isaiah 19:6; Isaiah 37:25; Micah 7:12); where, however, our English version has rendered the word as “besieged place or fortress.”

The ancient name of the country among the inhabitants themselves was “Chimi or Chami” (Χημυ Chēmu). The Egyptian word signified “black,” and the name was probably given from the black deposit made by the slime of the Nile.

‘Mizraim, or Misrim, the name given to Egypt in the Scriptures, is in the plural form, and is the Hebrew mode of expressing the “two regions of Egypt” (so commonly met with in the hieroglyphics), or the “two Misr,” a name still used by the Arabs, who call all Egypt, as well as Cairo, Musr or Misr’ (Wilkinson’s “Ancient Egyptians,” vol. i. p. 2).

The origin of the name ‘Egypt’ is unknown. Egyptus is said by some to have been an ancient king of this country.

Behold, the Lord - This is a bold introduction. Yahweh is seen advancing to Egypt for the purpose of confounding its idols and inflicting punishment. The leading idea which the prophet probably wishes to present is that national calamities—anarchy, commotion, revolution, as well as physical sufferings—are under the government and direction of Yahweh.

Rides upon a swift cloud - Yahweh is often represented thus as riding on a cloud, especially when he comes for purposes of vengeance or punishment:

And he rode upon a cherub and did fly,
Yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. (Psalms 18:10)

Who maketh the clouds his chariot,
Who walketh upon the wings of the wind. (Psalms 104:3)

‘I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven’ (Daniel 7:13). So the Saviour is represented as coming to judgment in the clouds of heaven (Matthew 24:30). Compare the sublime description in Habakkuk 3:3-10.

And the idols of Egypt - It is well known that Egypt was celebrated for its idolatry. They worshipped chiefly the heavenly bodies; but they also worshipped all kinds of animals, probably as living symbols of their gods. Shall be moved. That is, shall tremble, be agitated, alarmed; or shall be removed from their place and overthrown. The word will bear either construction. Vitringa inclines to the latter.

And the heart of Egypt - The strength; the courage; the rigor. We use the word “heart” in the same sense now, when we speak of a stout heart, a courageous heart, etc.

Shall melt - The word used here denotes “to dissolve” and is applied to the heart when its courage fails—probably from the sensation of weakness or fainting. The fact alluded to here was probably the disheartening circumstances that attended the civil commotions in Egypt, when the people felt themselves oppressed by cruel rulers. See the Analysis of the chapter.