Isaiah 18:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 18:1-7

Interpreters are very much at a loss where to find this land that lies beyond the rivers of Cush. Some take it to be Egypt, a maritime country, and full of rivers, and which courted Israel to depend upon them, but proved broken reeds; but against this it is strongly objected that the next chapter is distinguished from this by the title of the burden of Egypt. Others take it to be Ethiopia, and read it, which lies near, or about, the rivers of Ethiopia, not that in Africa, which lay south of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 18:1

Woe to the land shadowing with wings ,.... Or, "O land", as calling to it; so Aben Ezra and Kimchi. It is very difficult to determine what land is here meant: some think the land of Assyria is here designed, as Aben Ezra and others, and so it is a continuation of the prophecy concerning the destruction of the Assyrians, in the three last verses of the preceding chapter Isaiah 17:12 ; the stretching out of whose wings is mentioned, Isaiah 8:8 and thought to be referred to here; others are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 18:2

That sendeth ambassadors by the sea ,.... The Red Sea, which washed the coasts of Egypt and Ethiopia, and which were united into one kingdom under Sabacus, or So the Ethiopian, called king of Egypt, 2 Kings 17:4 and this kingdom, or rather the king of it, is here described as sending ambassadors by sea to foreign courts, to make leagues and alliances, and thereby strengthen himself against attempts made on him; though some understand it of one part of Ethiopia, on one side of the Red Sea,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 18:1

Wo to the land - ארץ הוי hoi arets ! This interjection should be translated ho! for it is properly a particle of calling: Ho, land! Attend! Give ear! Shadowing with wings "The winged cymbal" - כנפים צלצל tsiltsal kenaphayim . I adopt this as the most probable of the many interpretations that have been given of these words. It is Bochart's: see Phaleg, 4:2. The Egyptian sistrum is expressed by a periphrasis; the Hebrews had no name for it in their language, not having in use the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 18:2

In vessels of bulrushes "In vessels of papyrus" - This circumstance agrees perfectly well with Egypt. It is well known that the Egyptians commonly used on the Nile a light sort of ships, or boats, made of the reed papyrus. Ex ipso quidem papyro navigia texunt . Pliny, 42:11. Conseritur bibula Memphitis cymba papyro . Lucan, 4:136. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 18:1

Woe to the land ; rather, Ho for the land! (comp. Isaiah 17:12 ). Shadowing with wings ; literally, either the land of the shadow of wings or the land of the noise of wings , most probably the latter. Allusion is thought to be made to the swarms of buzzing flies, especially the tsetse, with which Ethiopia abounds. At the same time, these swarms are, perhaps, intended to be taken as emblems of the hosts of warriors which Ethiopia can send forth (comp. Isaiah 7:18 ). Beyond the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 18:1

Man's energy put in place of trust in God. This comes to view in a more precise translation of the passage. The King of Ethiopia, who was nominally also King of Egypt, alarmed by the near approach of the Assyrians, is aroused to the exhibition of great energy, and sends messengers in the light river-vessels to spread the news through the empire as rapidly as possible, and call the troops of all his dependent nations to his standard. Geikie translates, or paraphrases the passage thus: "O land... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 18:1-4

The contrast of Divine calm with human bustle, hurry, and excitement. When men take a matter in hand wherein they feel an interest, and set themselves either to carry out a certain design of their own, or to frustrate the designs of others, nothing is more remarkable than the "fuss" that they make about it. Heaven and earth are moved, so to speak, for the accomplishment of the desired end; the entire nation is excited, stirred, thrilled to its lowest depths; a universal eagerness prevails;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 18:1-6

The patience of power. The most striking and distinctive truth this chapter contains is that of the patience of Divine power, which permits evil to rise and to mature, and which, at the right moment, effectually intervenes. But there are other points beside this; they are— I. THE MISDIRECTION OF HUMAN INTELLIGENCE . Whatever may be the right translation and the true application of these verses, it is clear that reference is made to a warlike people—a people "terrible" to their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 18:1-7

THE HOMAGE OF ETHIOPIA TO JEHOVAH . Amid the general excitement caused by the advance of Assyria, Ethiopia also is stirred, and stirred to its furthest limits. The king sends messengers in beats upon the canals and rivers to summon his troops to his standard ( Isaiah 18:1 , Isaiah 18:2 ). The earth stands agaze to see the result of the approaching collision ( Isaiah 18:3 ); but God rests calmly in heaven while events are ripening ( Isaiah 18:4 , Isaiah 18:5 ). When... read more

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