his: i.e. Pharaoh's. Zoan. Now Zan. learn doctrine = accept instruction. Hanes. Called Tahapanes (Jeremiah 2:16 ). Now Tell Defenneh , about seventy miles from Cairo, the capital of a minor district. Succeeding Memphis as the capital before Abraham's time. Known to the Greeks as Hiracleopolis Magna. The name occurs only in Scripture. read more
Isaiah 30:4-7. For his princes were at Zoan— When his princes—to Hanes, Isaiah 30:5 they were, &c. Isa 30:6 as to the burden of the beasts southward, unto a land—from whence come the lioness and stout lion—ver. 7. Therefore have I called her, Rage to rest; or Pride [Rahab, a name of Egypt] be still. Vitringa. It is plain from these words of the prophet, that the ambassadors of the king Hosea, after they came into Egypt, should find every thing there unprepared, and averse to their wishes;... read more
4. his—Judah's (compare :-). at Zoan—are already arrived there on their errand to Pharaoh (see :-). came to Hanes—are come there. West of the Nile, in central Egypt: Egyptian Hnes; the Greek Heracleopolis: perhaps the Anysis of HERODOTUS (2.137); according to GROTIUS, Tahpanhes contracted ( :-); the seat of a reigning prince at the time, as was Zoan, hence the Jewish ambassadors go to both. read more
The folly of seeking help from Egypt 30:1-7 read more
Judah’s ambassadors had reached Egyptian governmental centers at Zoan (Gr. Tanis), in the northern Nile delta, and Hanes, farther south, and were evidently received warmly. read more
1-7. The Egyptian alliance is profitless. 8-11. The perversity of Judah, 12-17. and its disastrous consequences. 18-26. There is a glorious prospect for the repentant people. 27-33 But first Jehovah will destroy the Assyrian.1. Cover, etc.] seek pretence to conceal their designs (Isaiah 29:15). 4. Were.. came] RV ’are.. come’: the ambassadors of Judah go from place to place in Egypt seeking aid.Zoan (Gk. Tanis) and Hanes (Gk. Heracleopolis) were both cities in the Delta of the Nile. 5. Were... read more
(4) His princes were at Zoan . . .—Better, are, in the vivid use of the historic present of prophecy. Zoan, the Tanis of the Greeks, was one of the oldest of Egyptian cities. Hanes, identified with the Greek Heracleopolis, as lying in the delta of the Nile, would be among the first Egyptian cities which the embassy would reach. read more
True Imperialism Isaiah 30:2 Many of the changes that time brings are on the surface of life. There is a certain stability at the heart of things. The great laws of life change not. The selfsame sunlight that put an end to Jacob's conflict with the angel gilds our joys and guides our toils Today. So is it with these human hearts of ours. So is it with the great common sentiments and necessities. Motives that swayed men's lives when the world was young can be traced in modern life. Life changes... read more
CHAPTER XIIIPOLITICS AND FAITHABOUT 720 B.C.Isaiah 30:1-33THIS prophecy of Isaiah rises out of circumstances a little more developed than those in which chapter 29 was composed. Sennacherib is still engaged with Babylon, and it seems that it will yet be long before he marches his armies upon Syria. But Isaiah’s warning has at last roused the politicians of Judah from their carelessness. We need not suppose that they believed all that Isaiah predicted about the dire siege which Jerusalem should... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 30:1-33
The folly of relying on Egypt (30:1-33)All Isaiah’s warnings against an alliance with Egypt are in vain. As he learns that a group of Judean representatives is on its way to Egypt, he points out again how disastrous this alliance will prove to be. Judah’s reliance on Egypt is against God’s will and in the end will bring only disgrace upon Judah (30:1-5).Isaiah pictures the dangerous journey, as a caravan of donkeys and camels carry Judah’s payment through the dry southern region of Judah... read more