Isaiah 18:1

THE ORACLE ABOUT ETHIOPIA

We have avoided the use of the word "burden" in this title, because this prophecy is not a prophecy against Ethiopia, but about Ethiopia. This is called by ancient and present-day commentators alike "The most difficult chapter encountered thus far,"[1] and "One of the most obscure prophecies in Isaiah."[2]

This little chapter falls into two divisions, or stanzas of three verses each, followed by an epilogue of a single verse.[3] As we shall more completely explain below, this little gem gives absolute proof of the predictive nature of Isaiah's prophecy regarding the destruction of the army of Sennacherib.

Regarding the date of the chapter, in our conviction, all of Isaiah must be dated in the lifetime of Isaiah; but in regard to the date of this particular chapter within his lifetime, we have this from Kelley: "Ethiopia and Egypt in Isaiah are used almost synonymously; and this was because Egypt was ruled by Ethiopia by an Ethiopian dynasty (the 25th) from 715 until 603 B.C.; ...Bright dates the oracle at 714 B.C."[4] This is undoubtedly correct; because the messengers, or ambassadors, appearing in this passage came from Ethiopia, apparently for the purpose of enlisting Israel (under Hezekiah) in an alliance against Assyria. At this point in time, Samaria had already fallen in 722 B.C. It is most important to keep this date in mind, that is, the date of the oracle in 714, some twelve or thirteen years prior to Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem. Thus, whatever encouragement Isaiah extended to those Ethiopian ambassadors most certainly occurred before the event of Sennacherib's siege; and that encouragement, as we shall see, included the predicted slaughter of Sennacherib's army (Isaiah 18:5,6).

Kidner indicated that the Hebrew word for Ethiopia in this passage, and throughout Isaiah, actually means "Cush."[5] The word is used loosely to refer to countries as distant as the Tigris river; and the principal reason for certainty that modern Ethiopia is meant lies in the reference to a land of flies, and to the tall men with polished skins, clearly indicating the Ethiopians.

The rendering "Woe" in the KJV for Isaiah 18:1, resulted in the erroneous classification of this prophecy as "Burden of Ethiopia." Jamieson noted that, "The Hebrew word here does not express a threat, but is rather an appeal for attention."[6] God is not here speaking against Ethiopians, but to them, appealing for them to hear his prophecy against Assyria, pertaining especially to Sennacherib.

Isaiah 18:1-3

"Ah, the land of the rustling wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia; that sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of papyrus upon the waters, saying (this word is italicized in the ASV, indicating that it is not in the text) Go ye, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, to a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation that meteth out and treadeth down, whose land the rivers divide. All ye inhabitants of the world, and ye dwellers on the earth, when an ensign is lifted up on the mountains, see ye; and when the trumpet is blown, hear ye."

Here is an excellent analysis of what is described in these verses:

"About 725 B.C. Piankhi, the Ethiopian king of Egypt sent ambassadors to the king of Judah, Hezekiah; we can be certain that their purpose was to involve Judah in a coalition against the Assyrians. Isaiah warned Hezekiah against any such folly by providing God's answer to the ambassadors."[7]

It is also sure that such a coalition with Ethiopia would have been very attractive to one like Hezekiah. Note that the message beginning with the word "Go" is the message of Isaiah, not a message from the ambassadors. The erroneous injection of the interpolated "saying" into this passage is confusing and should be ignored. The terse message of these three verses to the ambassadors is, "Do not be anxious, just go home and watch and see what is going to happen." (Paraphrased).[8]

"The restling of wings ... the rivers of Ethiopia ..." "describe Ethiopia with special reference to the swarms of flies and the rivers, which are the Blue and White Nile."[9] The mention of the ambassadors coming "by sea" primarily refers to the Nile, which is called "sea" in Nahum 3:8, and in Isaiah 19:5.