ישעיהו, פרק י״ט, פסוק י׳

The drying of the Nile River triggers a total collapse of Egypt's economy and infrastructure. As the lifeblood of the nation evaporates, the resulting crisis paralyzes the fishing industry, destroys water management systems, and leaves the working class in profound despair over their lost livelihoods.

The primary approach among commentators is that the disaster first strikes the physical infrastructure. The foundations of the dams, canals, and artificial pools built to store water and trap fish will simply crumble and become useless without the river's flow [רש"י, מצודות, אבן עזרא, שטיינזלץ]. Other perspectives suggest this ruin refers to fishing nets left entirely empty [רד"ק], or the once-abundant streams of water that will dry up completely [מלבי"ם]. A more metaphorical interpretation views these foundations as the pillars of Egyptian society—the honorable nobles and leaders—or alternatively, the nation's weavers and drink manufacturers [שד"ל].

Whether referring to physical structures or human beings, everything foundational to Egypt will be crushed and shattered [מצודת ציון, רד"ק, שטיינזלץ]. This devastation captures both the literal crumbling of the water systems and the overwhelming poverty and depression that will strike the workforce [מלבי"ם].

The disaster specifically targets those who manage the water. Many agree that the laborers who build dams to block the overflowing river and create artificial fish-breeding pools will be left with nothing to do [רש"י, רד"ק, אבן עזרא, מנחת שי]. Another approach understands these laborers simply as everyday wage earners. Viewed in this light, a stark contrast emerges within Egyptian society, highlighting that the catastrophe spares no one; it strikes the elite and the lowest hired worker alike. A third view suggests these workers are actually the producers of beer and liquor [שד"ל].

The artificial pools that once defined the landscape are understood in three distinct ways. They are seen as quiet, resting waters that stand still rather than flow [רש"י, מצודת ציון, מלבי"ם]. Alternatively, they are viewed as bodies of water teeming with aquatic life [אבן עזרא, רד"ק], or simply as reservoirs built to sustain human survival [שטיינזלץ]. However, a striking alternative interpretation shifts the imagery from physical bodies of water to a profound sense of emotional pain. In this view, the description expresses the deep sadness and grief of the laborers who have watched their only source of income disappear [רד"ק, מלבי"ם, שד"ל].