Isa 30:7 | KingComments | STEP | “The burden of the beasts of the Negev” concerns the beasts that live in the Negev wilderness ( ). Through this wild landscape they have to travel with their pack animals on their journey to Egypt. They have to do so because the ordinary paths are in the hands of the Assyrians. The desperate Judah is willing to undertake a dangerous journey and invest great treasures in search of help that will turn out to be vain. As dangerous and unreliable as the beasts are they may encounter along the way, “lioness and lion, viper and flying serpent”, as dangerous and unreliable the leaders of Egypt will prove to be. The treasures which they carry on donkeys and camels in order to secure the help of a land from which the LORD delivered them long ago, will not bring them the desired help. It will all turn out to be in vain with only loss ( ). The language here is faltering, literally it says: Egypt? Vain and empty, they help … “Rahab” is a poetic name for Egypt ( ; ). Originally it is a kind of monster ( ) – probably Behemoth is meant ( ) –, a figurative name for satan, a demonic power. The name Rahab means ‘arrogant’ and typifies the essence of satan. In spite of his pride, Egypt will remain silent in powerlessness and will not be able to extend a hand to help Judah. It is what we call ‘a paper tiger’. Literally you can translate: Rahab (the terrible monster)? She does nothing …

‏ Isaiah 30:7

Burden of the Beasts of the Negev

“The burden of the beasts of the Negev” concerns the beasts that live in the Negev wilderness (Isa 30:6). Through this wild landscape they have to travel with their pack animals on their journey to Egypt. They have to do so because the ordinary paths are in the hands of the Assyrians. The desperate Judah is willing to undertake a dangerous journey and invest great treasures in search of help that will turn out to be vain. As dangerous and unreliable as the beasts are they may encounter along the way, “lioness and lion, viper and flying serpent”, as dangerous and unreliable the leaders of Egypt will prove to be.

The treasures which they carry on donkeys and camels in order to secure the help of a land from which the LORD delivered them long ago, will not bring them the desired help. It will all turn out to be in vain with only loss (Isa 30:7). The language here is faltering, literally it says: Egypt? Vain and empty, they help …

“Rahab” is a poetic name for Egypt (Isa 51:9; Psa 87:4 ; Psa 89:10). Originally it is a kind of monster (Isa 27:1) – probably Behemoth is meant (Job 40:15-24) –, a figurative name for satan, a demonic power. The name Rahab means ‘arrogant’ and typifies the essence of satan. In spite of his pride, Egypt will remain silent in powerlessness and will not be able to extend a hand to help Judah. It is what we call ‘a paper tiger’. Literally you can translate: Rahab (the terrible monster)? She does nothing …