The Plagues of Egypt Foretold Against Edom in Isaiah

Rabbi Eleazar ben Pedat says: Just as the Holy One, blessed be He, brought it upon the Egyptians, so is He destined to bring it upon this nation, as it is said, "As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be in anguish at the report of Tyre" (Isaiah 23:5). Rabbi Eleazar said: Every "Tyre" (Tzor) that is stated in Scripture, written defective, speaks of this wicked nation. Just as Egypt was smitten with blood, so too this wicked nation. "And its streams shall be turned into pitch" (Isaiah 34:9). Rabbi Tanchuma said: These are the Tiberis and the Ticinus, which are situated upon the edge of Rome. And it is written, "Night and day it shall not be quenched" (Isaiah 34:10). And why? Because they kept Israel from the Torah, in which they labored day and night; the fire that I bring upon them is never quenched. Rather, "Forever its smoke shall rise up" (Isaiah 34:10), because they burned My house, and the smoke would rise up from it. And they say, "A sound of tumult from the city" (Isaiah 66:6). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them: rather, "a voice from the Temple" (Isaiah 66:6). And He says: Remember what you did in the Temple, "the voice of the Lord rendering recompense to His enemies" (Isaiah 66:6) — in the World to Come, when He redeems Israel, as it is said, "The recompense of God, He Himself will come and save you" (Isaiah 35:4).