Isaiah 18

Isaiah 18:1

A new Sermon or Prophecie. But very obscure; and full of various interpretations.

Woe] Some sense this, as if it were a Compellation Ho.

Shadowing with wings] Meaning Egypt, say some: Ethiopia, say others.

beyond the rivers of Ethiopia] The rivers and streames of Nilus above in Ethiopia, South of Egypt; where Meroe a chief Island, say some. Others understand it of the rivers of Ethiopia, not above, but under Egypt. And they there do place Meroe, where they conceive the Queen Candace reigned.

Isaiah 18:2

That sendeth Ambassadors] Some say, The Ethiopians send them, and namely Tirhakah. Others, the Egyptians send them.

by the Sea] The Red-Sea.

Go ye swift] The words of Tirhakah, say some. Of the Egyptians, say others.

a Nation scattered] The Assyrians, say some; Tirhakah so provoking them to warre and battel. The Ethiopians, say others; the Egyptians thus warning them of their ruine approaching by the Assyrians. And a third sort would understand by this scattered, peeled, terrible Nation, the Israelites.

a Nation meted out, and trodden down] The Ethiopians were such, and so here to be entreated and used. But they that understand hereby the Assyrians; or the Israelites either, render the words a Nation meting out and treading down; arrogating so much to themselves, and acting accordingly.

the rivers have spoiled] The forces of the King of Assyria, say some, thus should spoile the land of the Ethiopians. The others understanding here the land of the Assyrians, conceive it here to be thus described by the rivers, and the abundance and violence of them, and their streams in it.

Isaiah 18:3

All ye inhabitants] Esay calls all the world to observe, how remarkable and conspicuous, Gods judgements and the execution of them by the Assyrians, should be upon the Ethiopians, say some: Gods judgements upon and against the Assyrians, say others. And accordingly they apply what is set down in the 4, 5, and 6. verses following; the one, for the Assyrian executing the judgement upon the Ethiopian: the other, for God executing his judgement upon the Assyrian; asserting to himself the defence and security of his owne people.

Isaiah 18:7

In that time] A prophecie of the Conversion of the Ethiopians to Christ, in the dayes of the Messias, Acts VIII. 27,—39. As most hold.

shall the present be brought] By the Ethiopians, a present of their spiritual services. Others expound it, a present of the prey of Sennacheribs armie, chap. XXXIII. 23. consecrated to Gods service, and in way of Thanksgiving to him. Jer. LI. 44.