Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 30

2 Son of man, prophesie and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Howl ye , wo worth the day.

Inhabitants of Egypt, and who so are near enough in Friendship and Alliances to fall under the like calamities.

Ah the day! Oh sad and miserable times.

3 For the day is near , even the day of the LORD is near , a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen .

The time of such distresses, as never the like known by you.

It will begin in your overthrow in the Cyreniac, and Libyc deserts in very little time, next 'twill continue in your Civil war, and finally end in the Babylonish Conquest some two years, and you shall be miserably routed in the deserts of Libya, immediately after the Civil War for eleven years together shall waste you, and then Nebuchadnezzar's Forces will be upon you, so that, whereas there may be about 16 or 18 years between the Prophesie, and its fulfilling, here is 13 or 14 of them taken up with sorrows, and afflictions, fore-runners of the last.

Of the Lords sore displeasure against Egypt, and its Allies.

Within two years, as is said.

A dark day, so times of trouble are called, whereas prosperity is a day of light. Troubles like storms, violent storms are black.

Of the Egyptians to be wasted, and of the Babylonians to waste them, the day of the pride, cruelty, and revenges to the one, the day of falling, spoil, and destruction to the other.

4 And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Aethiopia , when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.

See chap. 29. ver. 8. let. p.

Next Neighbour, and Allie to Egypt, they shall tremble at so great danger, so near, and they uncertain whether 'twill come on them, but very certain to be ruin'd, if it does come, and as certain, that they have cause to suspect it will come on them.

When the Egyptians, under the eye of the Aethiopians shall fall in Battle, and at the taking of their Towns.

In miserable Captivity carry them to Babylon, by whole droves,

Their Government, Laws, Councellors, strong holds, which are to a Nation, as Foundations to a house, are destroyed.

Marginal references: Or, fear.

5 Aethiopia , and Libya , and Lydia , and all the mingled people, and Chub , and the men of the land that is in league , shall fall with them by the sword .

Heb. Cusch, which are commonly thought to be the Aethiopians in Africa, but some more inquisitive Geographers have found them originally, and chiefly in Arabia, which was either Subject, or Allie to Egypt in its prosperity; and these were as ver. 4. in a panick fear, least the Babylonian should pass the Sea, and take them in his way home.

Heb. Phut hence the Puteans or Phutaans, who afterwards were better known by Libyans, a part of whose Country was near to Egypt.

Lydians, not the Asiatick, but the Africans placed between some part of Cyrene, and Egypt.

The hired Souldiers from all parts, a confused mixture of Nations, such as the Libyans had got together; or all Arabia, so the word 2 Chr. 9.14. Isai. 13.20. or all that ravenous sort of people, that like Crows fly to slaughters, so Souldiers of Fortune follow the Wars, and the word Heb. is Crow, Lev. 11.15. Deut. 14.14. Ps. 147.9. as well as mixt.

Aethiopians beyond Egypt south, the Inhabitants of the inmost Libya ▪ which reached to the Nigritae Negro's; perhaps they may be the Nubians at this day, a Letter easily changed.

The Sons of the Land of the Covenant; some refer to the Iews Children of the Covenant, but this is forced, 'tis all the people of Egypts League; all the Allies of the Egyptian Kingdom.

With the Egyptians.

In War by the Sword of Babylon.

Marginal references: Heb. Phut.; Heb. children.

6 Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall, and the pride of her power shall come down : from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.

Either the Princes, Councellors, and Martial men in Egypt, or those abroad, that favour her▪ and help her.

The Glory of all her strength, of which she was proud.

Be trodden under foot.

From Magdalum in the North-East part of Egypt toward the Red Sea, to Syene in the most South-west part of Egypt. See chap. 29. ver. 10. let. a. b. c.

7 And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countreys that are desolate, and her Cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted.

All those before mentioned.

As much wasted, as any of them, that are most wasted,

Of Egypt equally wasted with other Cities, that have been sack't, as Ierusalem, Tyre, Sidon, Rabbath. &c.

Marginal references: chap. 2[illegible: 1 letter] ▪

8 And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers shall be destroyed .

All that Act, and all that suffer in this Tragedy, shall by the evidence of the things be enforced to own God's hand, and ascribe Justice, and Truth, and Glory to him.

That War, which like increasing fire, consumeth all.

The destruction of so many, and powerful aides shall prove, that 'twas God's hand did it.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 span]

9 In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Aethiopians afraid, and great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for lo it cometh.

The day of Gods severe, but just Judgments, and Egypts fatal Desolation.

Such, as having seen, and scaped the Sword, shall tell the dismal news.

By my permission, and providence they shall go, as if sent by me.

Ships, that either carried them over into Pentapolis crossing the River Nilus, or rather going down the River into the Mediterranean, and so to any part of those North parts of Africa, and others by Ship through the Red Sea to Arabia Faelix, which is that Aethiopia, which is here meant, though 'tis possible, in those dayes the African Aethiopia might, as once it did, extend quite to the mouth of the Red Sea, on whose shore their Ancestors must needs first land out of Arabia, whence the Habessines, who are our present Aethiopians, do own their descent. So Messengers by Ships might carry the news to both the Aethiopian, Asian, and African, by the Red Sea.

In much security they had hitherto lived, the most potent, and formidable Neighbour having been their Antient Allie, till the news of so mighty an Enemy at their very Doors.

Apprehensions of Danger, that puzzles their Wisdom, weakens their Courage, makes them in perplexity, both sick, and astonished.

Either like that, which, when their Host was drowned in the Red Sea, seiz'd all Egypt, or rather like this latter fear, which arose from the Mighty havock made by the Chaldaean.

A storm like that certainly cometh against you.

10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

The numerous Families, and Tribes.

To dwindle, and decrease.

By the Army, Power, and Conduct of Nebuchadnezzar.

11 He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain.

Nebuchadnezzar.

His own Subjects, not hired Souldiers.

This is the description of them. Hab. 1.7. a fierce, and cruel people, as Psal. 147.8, 9.

By the hand of God using means for that end, as before noted, chap. 29. ver. 4.

Readily, and with Resolution not to sheath them, till Egypt be filled with slain.

Marginal references: chap. 28.5.

12 And I will make the rivers dry , and sell the land into the hand of the wicked ; and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers : I the LORD have spoken it.

Either by some extraordinary drought, or rather, by means of that mighty Lake, that, which drew so much water from Nilus, that all their Canals were ever after shallow, and the Lake, as the Oracle foretold, helpt their Enemy, and hurt their Friends: or the Chaldaeans might divert them, and so their Fortified Towns would want one great defence.

God gave it, here he sells; the one is proper, the other a borrowed expression, indeed God seems to pay wages with it. chap. 29. ver. 19, 20. but hereby is intimated, that as Sellers deliver into the hand of the Buyer, so God would deliver Egypt into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar as surely, as if he had bought it, and we may conclude, the Chaldaean as a Buyer, will make the most of all he buyes.

Not of just, and compassionate, but of injurious, and merciless men.

Who leave nothing, they can carry away, eat up, or spoil.

'Tis the Decree, and Edict of Heaven, which can't be broken.

Marginal references: Isa. 19.9▪; Heb. [illegible: 1 word].; Heb. the f[illegible: 2 letters] ness thereof.

13 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the Idols , and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph ; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.

God did it by the Babylonians; those proud, and impious Nations did triumph over the Gods of the conquered, and out of contempt of them, burnt them, or broke them, as is well known, so Sennacherib threatned, 2 Chr. 32.19. Isaiah. 37.19, 24. against the true God, as he did to Idol Gods.

Dunghil Gods, as the words, fitter to be trod under foot, then to be deck't, and respected.

These nothings, as the word imports, whoever destroyed the Image, destroyed the God, for 'twas nothing but an Image.

Memphis now grand Cair, the chief City of the Country, the seat of their Kings first, of their Priests by consequence, and of all their several Gods too; But the Chaldeans destroyed the nest, and birds too.

Either an Egyptian born, or, independent, or over all Egypt, or that shall have the Power, Wealth, or Honour like a former brave Egyptian King.

Of consternation, and cowardise that should disable them for counsel, and action in their most urgent Affairs.

Marginal references: Jer. 43.12. [illegible: 1 word] 46.25. [illegible: 1 letter]ech. 13.2.

14 And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No .

See cap. 29. ver. 14. let. m.

It may be literally understood that Zoan, Tanis, for that is its name, should be burnt down to Ashes; or Metaphorically of War, and civil Dissensions.

A very great and populous City, scituate on one of the mouths of Nilus, and on the Sea, Nahum. 3.8. Now Alexandria stands, where that did, but 'twas greater in sin than in people, and it was visited with very great, and dreadful judgments. Nahum. 3.8, 9, 10, 11. which see.

Marginal references: Or, Tanis.

15 And I will pour my fury upon Sin , the strength of Egypt, and I will cut off the multitude of No ,

See chap. 21. ver. 31. let. d.

Either Sain, or more likely Pelusium, which was a Frontier, and secured the entrance of Egypt fromward the Desert of Sin, was the key of Egypt, and therefore alwaies well fortified, and strongly garrisoned, it was called Damiata.

One of the principal munitions of Egypt; for 'twas a good, and large Haven, and was strengthned with all needful Fortifications.

Or the Riches, and Tumultuous noise, which the multitudes thereof made.

If we read, as the Margin, 'tis plain, God does threaten Pel[illegible: 1 letter]sium after No is cut off; if we retain our own Translation, we must think of another City of that name, which God threatens with Sin: Now this may be Thebae Egyptiacae, or this City may be Hamon No called Diospolis, the City of Iupiter, possibly it may be the same mentioned already, and the threat repeated to confirm it.

Marginal references: Or, Pelusium.; [illegible: 1 word] when I have [illegible: 1 word] off.

16 And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain , and No shall be rent asunder , and Noph shall have distresses daily.

See ver. 14. let. o. and chap. 20. ver. 47. l. u. x. and v. 8. let. y.

Ver. 15. let. r.

See ver. 9. let. o.

See ver. 14. let. p. and ver. 15. let. x.

Her Walls, and Towers, and Fortresses battered, torn, and broken through by the continued violence of Engines, and by the assaults of the Souldiers.

See ver. 13. let. k.

Being the chief City where King and Councels sate, whence Orders should be given, whither all intelligences were brought, all should be so bad abroad, that nothing, but fears, and distresses fill their Ears, Mouths, and Hearts, beside the wants, that would increase dayly on them.

17 The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity .

'Tis probable these might be a select Army of valiant youths in one body, collected out of these two Cities, that resolved to break the Chaldaean Army, or fall in the Enterprise, or else that they did to the utmost, defend the Walls, and were put to the Sword when the City was taken by assault.

Bethshemesh, and Heliopolis an Idolatrous City, that Worshipt the Sun, and in which was a stately Temple built to the Sun; Its greatness was 150 Furlongs, 6 miles, and 3 quarters in compass, a very vain and sinful City, as its name Aven intimates.

Bubastus, and sometime called Haephestus, no inconsiderable place, and, I believe not far from Aven, it should seem to be some convenient pass, as I conjecture.

The Citizens, Cities put for Citizens.

Some of the first, it may be the very first, which put Memphis, at report of it into a sick fit, with great pain; this being the first fruits of the sad coming harvest.

Marginal references: Or, Heliopolis.; Or, Bubastum.

18 At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkned , when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her : as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.

A great, and goodly City of Egypt, Tachapanes, Tachpanes, Tahapanes, Tahpanes, Chanes, and Hanes, Isai. 30.4. are Name[illegible: 1 letter] given it, and this from a Queen of Egypt of that name in Solomon's time, 1 King. 11.19, 20. it stood not far from Sin or Pelusium, and by the Greeks a little softening the Name, call'd Daphne Pelusiaca. 'twas a Royal City, in it Pharaoh had a house, to it many Iews fled, when forbidden of the Lord by the Prophet Ieremy, chap. 44. 'twas one of the first Cities you come to out of the Desert of Sin, and was one of the keys of Egypt.

A night shall come upon it, and such a night of sorrow, as shall grow darker, and darker, till the day, i. e. their day be darkness, or else word for word, Darkness shall be the day, and may bear this sense, shall be more welcome, more useful, more desired, then the day, whose light would discover their flight, which the night concealed.

As into shivers.

The Scepters; for there was one of Pharaoh's houses, and probably, some Scepter, and other Regal Ornaments; or the Bars, which kept Enemies out, and secured the Citizens, and Country, such was this Frontier Town, or, when by giving this strong place into Nebuchadnezzars hand, I shall break the Kingdom of Egypt, that it no more oppress with yokes, i. e. burthens▪

The Beauty, and Goodliness, with which the strength of this City was set out in her Buildings, Towers, Forts.

Shall be buried in her own ruines.

Sorrow by the success of the Chaldaeans against her, compared often to a cloud.

Either Metaphorically, i. e. the Towns, and Villages about her, or literally, her Children, her Daughters only mentioned, because her Sons were destroyed, and slain.

Marginal references: Or, darkness[illegible: 1 letter] the day. Or, restrained.

20 And it came to pass in the eleventh year , in the first moneth , in the seventh day of the moneth, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Of Ieconiah's Captivity three Moneths, and two Days before Ier[illegible: 1 letter]salem was taken, Ier. 52.4.

The fourth day of our April.

21 Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.

I have often told thee, I would break, now I tell thee I have broken, partly by the victory of the Chaldaean over Pharaoh Necho, partly by the victory the Cyrenaeans got over Pharaoh Hophra, to raise the siege, from which attempt he fell with shame and loss, but more by Civil Wars.

Hophra or Apries.

And this wound is incurable, it shall never be bound up to be healed, his Arm shall never be strong and fit to encounter a potent Enemy, as once it was.

Marginal references: Jer. 46.1[illegible: 1 letter].

22 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms , the strong , and that which was broken : and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.

In the former verse God had broken the arm, in this he will break the Arms of Pharaoh, he will shew, he is still against Pharaoh, and will break him more, and more.

That part of his Kingdom which remains intire.

That, which was shattered before, That part of his Kingdom in Syria, taken from him from Euphrates, to the River of Egypt, that once was a strong arm, but now broken, and useless to him: And Egypt, whatever strength it now hath, shall be as weak, and useless too, thus all his power, and strength shall be destroyed.

23 And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countreys.

Vid. chap. 29. ver. 12. let. g. and chap. 20. ver. 23. let. o. where the same expressions are.

24 And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaohs arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.

Give the first strength, and continue it with new supplys, so that with strength from God, he shall proceed.

His strength shall have a weapon suited, and proportion'd to it, and what will be hard, where God's Sword and his strength are engaged to effect it?

Hophra.

Not only, as the stoutest must, when nature breaks, but cry out, and sigh, or howl not becoming a brave man.

King of Babylon.

Who hath given him his deadly wound, under which he roars, while he hath any strength, and groans, when his voice sails him. It speaks sore griefs, and deep sense of them; as Exod. 2.24. Iudg. 2.18. Iob 24.12.

25 But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down, and they shall know, that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.

These two forgoing verses are a repetition of God's threats against Pharaoh, and of his promises to assist Nebuchadnezzar in the War, and every thing plain in them.

26 And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countreys; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Vide ver. 23.