Wesley Corpus

Chapter XXIX A prediction of the destruction of Pharaoh, for his treacherous dealing with Israel, ver. 1 - 7. A prediction of the desolation of Egypt, ver. 8 - 12. A promise of the restoration thereof in part, ver. 13 - 16. A prediction of Nebuchadrezzar's passing it, ver. 17 - 20. A promise of mercy to Israel, ver. 21. The tenth year - Of Jeconiah's captivity. The great dragon - The crocodile; our prophet, as well as Isaiah, compares the Egyptian king to that devouring serpent, or dragon. That lieth - Not only at rest, but waiting for prey. My river - My kingdom, power, riches, and forces, all the strength and glory of Egypt. Put hooks - The Allegory is continued. The fish - The people of Egypt. To stick - To adhere to their king. Leave thee - When thus brought out, I will leave thee. The wilderness - The deserts of Libya and Syene. All the fish - The whole army of the Egyptians. The open fields - There was this king and his army ruined. Gathered - These were not buried, but left in the wilderness, a prey to wild beasts, and birds. Rent - Didst them much mischief instead of benefiting them, as thou hast promised, Jer 37:7. Syene - Boundary between Ethiopia and Egypt; that is, all Egypt from north - east to south - west. Forty years - These forty years began about the thirtieth year of Jeconiah's captivity, and end with the seventieth year of the captivity, which was the first of Cyrus. Pathros - The southern part of Egypt, in which was the famous city Thebae, known for its hundred gates. Their habitation - The ancient habitation of their fathers. A base - A low, tributary, dependent kingdom. No more rule - Though in the times of the Ptolemeys, it was considerable, yet then, even then it did not rule the nations about her. Which - Which sinful reliance on the arm of flesh provoked God to call to mind their other iniquities. When - When they forgot God, and respected Egypt. They - The house of Israel. In the seven and twentieth year - Of Jeconiah's captivity, the year after the conquest of Tyre. Caused - The army, and commanders were weary of the siege, but the immovable resolution of the king kept them on.