Isaiah 18

Chap. XVIII. Ver. 1—7. Predictions, supposed to relate to Egypt and to Israel.—This prophecy is very obscure, and the history and people to which it refers, doubtful. It was probably designed to give the Jews, and perhaps the Egyptians, supposed to be intended, (verses 1, 2,) with whom many Jews resided, an intimation of God’s interposition in favour of Zion, and of his counsels in regard to the destruction of their common enemy, Sennacherib; that his vast arm, just as he thought his projects ripe, and ready to be crowned with success, should become a prey to the beasts of the field, and to the fowls of heaven; and that Egypt should be grateful to God for the deliverance vouchsafed her: (Compare ver. 7. with (2 Chronicles 32:23).) Bp. Lowth, (following Bochart,) instead of “the land shadowed with wings,” as in our version, renders it, “the land of the winged cymbal,” meaning the sistrum, a tinkling instrument, somewhat like the cymbal in its sound and object; but in its form more like a battledore, having thick lateral wires, running through from side to side, with an imagined similitude to wings. This instrument was used by the Egyptians in all their sacrifices to Isis. Their country is a long vale, extending to 750 miles; made level and smooth by the overflowing of the Nile. The prophecy is delivered to messengers that were probably sent by the Egyptians, either to bring tidings of penacnen, or to form an alliance with the Jews against Bp.

Horsley, however, is of opinion, that it refers to the Jews, at the period of their restoration, and the destruction of Antichrist. It is very true, that the Jews answer well to the character of “a nation scattered and peeled;” and that the standard upon the mountains, and the trumpet blown at the same time, well represent the promulgation of the gospel; but then “the vessels of bulrushes,” the land “meted out and trodden down,” will scarcely apply to any country beside that of Egypt. We must, however, conclude as we begun, with confessing our inability to give a clear elucidation of the chapter. Bp. Lowth himself says, “This is one of the most obscure prophecies in the whole book of Isaiah.”

(See notes.)

Notes on the verses

Chap. XVIII. Ver. 1. Wo, &c.—The Hebrew particle Ho, here used, is sometimes a note of exclamation, and at others, of lamentation, according to the context; and is therefore differently rendered, either “Wo, alas!” or “Ho! come on;” which seems to be its meaning here.—Shadowing with wings.—To shadow, is to protect, to screen; and though Egypt had originally been the chief enemy of the Jews, their kings often applied thither for protection. See (2 Kings 18:21). (Jeremiah 26:21).; xli. 17.; xlii. 19.—Ethiopia.—Heb., “Cush.” See note on (2 Kings 19:9). Whether these were the Eastern branches of the Nile, toward Arabia, or the parts of the Upper Nile, towards Ethiopia, says Bishop Lowth, “it is not easy to determine.”

Boothroyd understands it of Nubia. Ver. 2. Vessels of bulrushes.—Lowth, “of papyrus.” It is well known that the Egyptians formerly used, and still use, on the Nile, a light sort of boats, made of these reeds. See Orient. Lit. No. 914.—Go, ye swift messengers.—That is, travellers, or couriers, who, by means of the canals, could easily and speedily convey the news through Egypt.—To a nation scattered and peeled.—[(Or, outspread and polished; or, as Bishop Lowth renders, “stretched out in length and smoothed.” Egypt, which is situated between 24° and 32° N. lat., and 30° and 33° E. long.; being bounded on the south by Ethiopia, on the north by the Mediterranean, on the east by the mountains of Arabia, and on the west by those of Lybia, is one long vale, 750 miles in length, through the middle of which runs the Nile, in breadth from one to two or three days’ journey, and even at the widest part of the Delta, from Pelusium to Alexandria, not above 250 miles broad.)—Bagster.

By “smoothed,” Lowth means, levelled by the overflowing of the Nile. Boothroyd, “To a nation extended and fierce,” which he applies to the Nubians, who had, for some time, dominion over Egypt. Meted out, and trodden down.—See margin. This is supposed to allude to the measuring of Egypt, after the Nile had overflowed it; and to treading in the seed, by means of small cattle, particularly hogs. See Lowth.—Whose land the rivers have spoiled.—Lowth, “Nourished.” But when the waters rise above a certain height, the land is “spoiled,” and the harvest is destroyed. See note on (Genesis 41:2). See also Orient. Cust. No. 243. Ver. 4. [will take my rest.—Sennacherib invaded Egypt, and laid it nearly waste.

No-ammon (or Thebes) was destroyed, Nahum iii. 10. He besieged Pelusium, but was obliged to raise the siege by Tirhakah, king of Nubia, though he afterwards overthrew the Nubians. During these events, the Lord is represented as sitting still, and protecting his own land: and mitigating the violence of their afflictions, as the dew does the heat of harvest. Ver. 5. Afore (or before) the harvest.—This evidently refers to the grape harvest; i.e. the gathering of the vintage.—Sprigs.—Lowth, “Shoots.”