Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 19:18

18 In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan , and swear to the LORD of hosts ; one shall be called the city of destruction.

After that time, as this Phrase is used Isa. 4. 2. & 18. 7. and oft elsewhere. In the Times of the Gospel, which are oft noted in the Prophets by that very Expression.

A considerable number of their chief Cities, a certain number being put for an uncertain.

Profess the Jewish Religion, agree with them in the same Mind; which is fitly signified by speaking the same Language, because cut of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Thus the changing and purifying of a Peoples Lip, is used to signifie the change of their Hearts and Lives, Zeph. 3. 9. and praising God with one Mouth, to note their Unity or Consent in the Faith, Rom. 15. 6.

It is well observed by some Learned Interpreters, that he doth not say swear by the Lord, which is the most common Phrase, and which, being one eminent Part and Act of Worship, is put for the whole, but swear to the Lord; which Phrase is also used 2 Chron. 15▪ 14▪ Psal. 132. 2. Isa. 45. 23. and it implies the Dedication, or Oblation, and yielding up of a Person or Thing to the Lord, by a solemn Vow, or Covenant, or Oath, as appears by the Places now quoted. In like manner God is said to swear to a Man, Deut. 26. 15. and one Man to another, Gen. 21. 23. when they oblige themselves by Oath to do such or such a thing for them. And therefore what is called swearing to God, Isa. 45. 23. is rendred or expounded bowing the knee (which signifies the subjection of a mans self) to God, and confessing to God, Rom. 14. 11.

Not one of the five, for they are supposed to be saved in the foregoing Clause▪ but one City, or another City, the sixth City. As divers Cities shall be converted and saved, so some other Cities shall continue in their Impenitency, and be destroyed. Others render this Clause thus, One of them shall be called (or, shall be; for, to be called is oft put for to be) the city of the sun; or, as the Graecians call it, Heliopolis; which the Egyptians called On, Gen. 41. 45. which was a very eminent City, and a chief Seat of Idolatry, being a City of Priests, as Strabo reports; and therefore its Conversion to the Faith was more wonderful.

Marginal references: Heb. the lip.; [illegible: 1 word], of Heres, [illegible: 1 word], of the sun.