Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 9:6

6 For lo, they are gone, because of destruction : Egypt shall gather them up , Memphis shall bury them , the pleasant places for their silver , nettles shall possess them : thornes shall be in their tabernacles.

Mark it well, and observe the event.

Some of the wary and timerous are already withdrawn from the desolation that cometh on their Countrey, and more will fly from the Assyrian invader, and 'tis very near, and very certain, exprest therefore in the perfect Tense.

In Egypt they hope to be quiet, and survive these Desolations, and to return into their own Land, but they shall die in Egypt, and Egyptians shall lay them out, and prepare them to their Grave. So this phrase, Ier. 8.2. and Ezek. 29.5.

Which elsewhere is called Noph, Isa. 19.13. a very greatly traded City in those dayes, and at this day also known by the name which speaks its greatness, Grand Cairo:

Many of the Ten Tribes flying their own wasted Country, did no doubt remove so far as Memphis, partly for safety, that they may be out of the Assyrians reach, but more principally for conveniency of a Trade, that they might at least get a livelyhood, if not grow rich on their Trade; there many of these Fugitives dyed, and perhaps by the Pestilence (which is a disease that frequently sweeps that City) multitudes of them might be swept away into their Graves in and about that City.

Their beautiful and strong Houses built for keeping their Wealth in.

They shall be ruin'd, and lie long in Rubbish, till Nettles grow up in them.

Or Briars, or whatever (one kind for all) worthless, and hurtful shrubs use to grow in perpetuated desolations.

in their dwelling places, their houses which here retain the Name of their antient Habitations when they dwelt in Tents.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter]eb. spell.; [illegible: 1 word], their [illegible: 1 span],; Heb. the [illegible: 1 word]; Isa. 32.13. [illegible: 1 word] 34.13. [illegible: 1 word]. 10.8.