Speak and say, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great monster that lies in the middle of his rivers, that has said, ‘My river is my own, and I have made it for myself.’
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. Dragon. Hebrew tannin, ( Bible.) whence thunnus may be derived, means any water monster, and seems here put for the crocodile, ( Calmet.) which Pharao signifies. Grot.—It was the symbol of Egypt, ( Calmet.) and adored by the people. Juv. 15:2.—Rivers; the different branches of the Nile, and the canals.—Myself. I owe my power to no other. Calmet.—“Apries is said to think that no god could deprive him of the kingdom, so well he seemed to have established it.” Herod. ii. 169.—So the ancient Pharao said; I know not the Lord. Exodus 5:2. He boasts of having conducted the waters of the Nile through the land. verse 9. Menochius.—This river was honoured as the greatest of the gods. Heliod. 9.—
Terra suis contenta bonis non indiga mercis
Aut Jovis; in solo tanta est fiducia Nilo. Lucan viii.