The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no [more].
The paper reeds {H6169} by the brooks {H2975}, by the mouth {H6310} of the brooks {H2975}, and every thing sown {H4218} by the brooks {H2975}, shall wither {H3001}, be driven away {H5086}, and be no more.
The river-plants on the banks of the Nile and everything sown near the Nile will dry up, blow away and be no more.
The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the fields sown along the Nile, will wither, blow away, and be no more.
The 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.
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Ezekiel 19:13
And now she [is] planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground. -
Isaiah 23:3
And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, [is] her revenue; and she is a mart of nations. -
Joel 1:17
The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered. -
Joel 1:18
How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. -
Jeremiah 14:4
Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads. -
Isaiah 32:20
Blessed [are] ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth [thither] the feet of the ox and the ass.
Context of Isaiah 19:7
Isaiah chapter 19 delivers a powerful prophetic message concerning ancient Egypt, detailing God's judgment upon the nation, followed by a future hope. This particular verse, Isaiah 19:7, focuses on the devastating economic consequences of divine intervention. Egypt's prosperity was inextricably linked to the Nile River, which nourished its fertile lands and supported its crucial industries, including the cultivation of papyrus reeds.
The prophecy describes a scenario where the very source of Egypt's wealth and stability—the Nile and its surrounding vegetation—would suffer severe decline. This imagery is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah 19 foretelling God's judgment upon Egypt, particularly through the drying up of the Nile River, leading to widespread chaos and economic collapse.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "paper reeds" translates from the Hebrew word `arowth` (עָרוֹת), which specifically refers to the papyrus plant. This plant was incredibly significant to Egyptian civilization, used for making paper, ropes, mats, and even light boats. Its mention here underscores the direct hit to Egypt's core industries and daily life. The "brooks" refer to the various channels and canals fed by the Nile, highlighting the widespread nature of the impending desolation.
The verbs "wither, be driven away, and be no more" emphasize a complete and irreversible destruction, not just a temporary setback. This strong language conveys the severity of the judgment and the thoroughness of the economic ruin.
Practical Application and Reflection
For a general audience, Isaiah 19:7 offers several timeless lessons: