57 lines
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57 lines
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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PriorBook = 'Song of Songs';
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Title = 'The Book of the Prophet Isaiah';
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<p id="Chapter18" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 18
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<p id="Isa18_1"><a onclick="return mV('Isa',18,'1-7');">Isa 18:1-7</a>.
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<p>Isaiah announces the overthrow of Sennacherib's hosts and desires the Ethiopian ambassadors, now in Jerusalem, to bring word of it to their own nation; and he calls on the whole world to witness the event (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',18,3);">Isa 18:3</a>). As <a onclick="return mV('Isa',17,'12-14');">Isa 17:12-14</a> announced the presence of the foe, so <a onclick="return mV('Isa',18,'1-7');">Isa 18:1-7</a> foretells his overthrow.
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<p><b>1. Woe</b>—The heading in <i>English Version,</i> "God will destroy the Ethiopians," is a mistake arising from the wrong rendering "Woe," whereas the <i>Hebrew</i> does not express a threat, but is an <i>appeal</i> calling attention (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',55,1);">Isa 55:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',2,6);">Zec 2:6</a>): "Ho." He is not speaking <i>against</i> but <i>to</i> the Ethiopians, calling on them to hear his prophetical announcement as to the destruction of their enemies.
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<br><br><b>shadowing with wings</b>—rather, "land <i>of the winged bark</i>"; that is, "barks with wing-like sails, answering to vessels of bulrushes" in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',18,2);">Isa 18:2</a>; the word "rivers," in the parallelism, also favors it; so the <i>Septuagint</i> and <i>Chaldee</i> [EWALD]. "Land of the clanging sound of <i>wings,</i>" that is, armies, as in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',8,8);">Isa 8:8</a>; the rendering "bark," or "ship," is rather dubious [MAURER]. The armies referred to are those of Tirhakah, advancing to meet the Assyrians (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',37,9);">Isa 37:9</a>). In <i>English Version,</i> "shadowing" means <i>protecting</i>—stretching out its <i>wings</i> to defend a feeble people, namely, the <i>Hebrew</i>s [VITRINGA]. The Hebrew for "wings" is the same as for the idol <i>Cneph,</i> which was represented in temple sculptures with wings (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',91,4);">Psa 91:4</a>).
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<br><br><b>beyond</b>—Meroe, the island between the "rivers" Nile and Astaboras is meant, famed for its commerce, and perhaps the seat of the Ethiopian government, hence addressed here as representing the whole empire: remains of temples are still found, and the name of "Tirhakah" in the inscriptions. This island region was probably the chief part of Queen Candace's kingdom (<a onclick="return mV('Act',8,27);">Act 8:27</a>). For "beyond" others translate less literally "which borderest on."
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<br><br><b>Ethiopia</b>—literally, "Cush." HORSLEY is probably right that the <i>ultimate</i> and <i>fullest</i> reference of the prophecy is to the restoration of the Jews in the Holy Land through the instrumentality of some distant people skilled in navigation (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',18,2);">Isa 18:2</a> <a onclick="return mV('Isa',60,9);">Isa 60:9</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Isa',60,10);">10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',45,15);">Psa 45:15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',68,31);">68:31</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zep',3,10);">Zep 3:10</a>). Phoenician voyagers coasting along would speak of all Western <i>remote</i> lands as "beyond" the Nile's mouths. "Cush," too, has a wide sense, being applied not only to Ethiopia, but Arabia-Deserta and Felix, and along the Persian Gulf, as far as the Tigris (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',2,13);">Gen 2:13</a>).
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<p id="Isa18_2"><b>2. ambassadors</b>—messengers sent to Jerusalem at the time that negotiations passed between Tirhakah and Hezekiah against the expected attack of Sennacherib (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',37,9);">Isa 37:9</a>).
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<br><br><b>by...sea</b>—on the <i>Nile</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',19,5);">Isa 19:5</a>): as what follows proves.
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<br><br><b>vessels of bulrushes</b>—light canoes, formed of papyrus, daubed over with pitch: so the "ark" in which Moses was exposed (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',2,3);">Exd 2:3</a>).
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<br><br><b>Go</b>—Isaiah tells them to take back the tidings of what God is about to do (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',18,4);">Isa 18:4</a>) against the common enemy of both Judah and Ethiopia.
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<br><br><b>scattered and peeled</b>—rather, "strong and energetic" [MAURER]. The <i>Hebrew</i> for "strong" is literally, "drawn out" (<i>Margin;</i> <a onclick="return mV('Psa',36,10);">Psa 36:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Ecc',2,3);">Ecc 2:3</a>). "Energetic," literally, "sharp" (<a onclick="return mV('Hab',1,8);">Hab 1:8</a>, <i>Margin;</i> the verb means to "sharpen" a sword, <a onclick="return mV('Eze',21,15,16);">Eze 21:15-16</a>); also "polished." As HERODOTUS (3:20, 114) characterizes the Ethiopians as "the tallest and fairest of men," G. V. SMITH translates, "tall and comely"; literally, "extended" (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',45,14);">Isa 45:14</a>, "men of stature") <i>and polished</i> (the Ethiopians had "smooth, glossy skins"). In <i>English Version</i> the reference is to the Jews, <i>scattered</i> outcasts, and loaded with indignity (literally, "having their hair torn off," HORSLEY).
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<br><br><b>terrible</b>—the <i>Ethiopians</i> famed for warlike prowess [ROSENMULLER]. The <i>Jews</i> who, because of God's plague, made others to fear the like (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',28,37);">Deu 28:37</a>). Rather, "awfully remarkable" [HORSLEY]. God puts the "terror" of His people into the surrounding nations at the first (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',23,27);">Exd 23:27</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jos',2,9);">Jos 2:9</a>); so it shall be again in the latter days (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',12,2,3);">Zec 12:2-3</a>).
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<br><br><b>from...beginning hitherto</b>—so <i>English Version</i> rightly. But GESENIUS, "to the terrible nation (of upper Egypt) and further beyond" (to the Ethiopians, properly so called).
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<br><br><b>meted out</b>—<i>Hebrew,</i> "of line." The measuring-line was used in <i>destroying</i> buildings (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',34,11);">Isa 34:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ki',21,13);">2Ki 21:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,8);">Lam 2:8</a>). Hence, actively, it means here "a people <i>meting out,</i>—an all-destroying people"; which suits the context better than "meted," passively [MAURER]. HORSLEY, understanding it of <i>the Jews,</i> translates it, "Expecting, expecting (in a continual attitude of expectation of Messiah) and trampled under foot"; a graphic picture of them. Most translate, <i>of strength, strength</i> (from a root, <i>to brace</i> the sinews), that is, <i>a most powerful</i> people.
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<br><br><b>trodden down</b>—true of the Jews. But MAURER translates it actively, a people "treading under foot" all its enemies, that is, <i>victorious</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,25);">Isa 14:25</a>), namely, the Ethiopians.
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<br><br><b>spoiled</b>—"cut up." The Nile is formed by the junction of many streams in Abyssinia, the Atbara, the Astapus or Blue river (between which two rivers Meroe, the "Ethiopia" here meant, lies), and the Astaboras or White river; these streams <i>wash down</i> the soil along their banks in the "land" of Upper Egypt and deposit it on that of Lower Egypt. G. V. SMITH translates it, "Divide." HORSLEY takes it figuratively <i>of the conquering armies</i> which have often "spoiled" <i>Judea,</i>
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<p id="Isa18_3"><b>3. see ye...hear ye</b>—rather, "ye shall see ...shall hear." Call to the whole earth to <i>be witnesses</i> of what <i>Jehovah</i> ("He") is about to do. He will "lift up an ensign," calling the Assyrian motley hosts together (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',5,26);">Isa 5:26</a>) on "the mountains" round Jerusalem, to their own destruction. This (the eighteenth chapter) declares the coming overthrow of those armies whose presence is announced in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',17,12,13);">Isa 17:12-13</a>. The same motive, which led Hezekiah to seek aid from Egypt, led him to accept gladly the Ethiopian Tirhakah's aid (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',36,6);">Isa 36:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',37,9);">37:9</a>). Ethiopia, Egypt, and Judea were probably leagued together against the common enemy, 713 B.C. See notes on the twenty-second chapter, where a difference of tone (as referring to a different period) as to Ethiopia is observable. HORSLEY takes the "ensign" to be the cross, and the "trumpet" the <i>Gospel trumpet,</i> which shall be sounded more loudly in the last days.
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<p id="Isa18_4"><b>4. take...rest...consider</b>—I will <i>calmly look on</i> and not interpose, while all seems to promise success to the enemy; when figuratively, the sun's heat" and "the night dews" ripen their "harvest"; but "before" it reaches its maturity I will destroy it (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',18,5);">Isa 18:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Ecc',8,11,12);">Ecc 8:11-12</a>).
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<br><br><b>like a clear heat</b>—rather, "at the time of the clear (serene) heat" [MAURER].
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<br><br><b>upon herbs</b>—answering to "harvest" in the parallel clause. MAURER translates, "in the sunlight" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',31,26);">Job 31:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Job',37,21);">37:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hab',3,4);">Hab 3:4</a>).
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<br><br><b>like...dew</b>—rather, "at the time of the dew cloud." God's "silence" is mistaken by the ungodly for consent; His delay in taking vengeance for forgetfulness (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',50,21);">Psa 50:21</a>); so it shall be before the vengeance which in the last day shall usher in the restoration of the Jews (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',34,'1-8');">Isa 34:1-8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',57,11);">57:11</a>, end of the verse, <a onclick="return mV('2Pe',3,'3-10');">2Pe 3:3-10</a>).
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<p id="Isa18_5"><b>5. For</b>—rather, "But."
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<br><br><b>perfect</b>—perfected. When the enemy's plans are on the verge of completion.
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<br><br><b>sour grape...flower</b>—rather, "when the flower shall become the ripening grape" [MAURER].
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<br><br><b>sprigs</b>—the <i>shoots</i> with the grapes on them. God will not only disconcert their present plans, but prevent them forming any future ones. HORSLEY takes the "harvest" and vintage here as referring to purifying judgments which cause the excision of the ungodly from the earth, and the placing of the faithful in a state of peace <i>on the earth:</i> not the last judgment (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',15,2);">Jhn 15:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',14,'15-20');">Rev 14:15-20</a>).
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<p id="Isa18_6"><b>6. birds...beasts</b>—transition from the image "sprigs," "branches," to the thing meant: the Assyrian soldiers and leaders shall be the prey of birds and beasts, the whole year through, "winter" and "summer," so numerous shall be their carcasses. HORSLEY translates the <i>Hebrew</i> which is <i>singular:</i> "upon <i>it,</i>" not "upon them"; the "it" refers to God's "dwelling-place" (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',18,4);">Isa 18:4</a>) in the Holy Land, which Antichrist ("the bird of prey" with the "beasts," his rebel hosts) is to possess himself of, and where he is to perish.
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<p id="Isa18_7"><b>7. present...people scattered and peeled</b>—For the right rendering, see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Isa/Isa018.html#Isa18_2">Isa 18:2</a>. The repetition of epithets enhances the honor paid to Jehovah by <i>so mighty a nation.</i> The Ethiopians, wonderstruck at such an interposition of Jehovah in behalf of His people, shall send gifts to Jerusalem in His honor (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',16,1);">Isa 16:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',68,31);">Psa 68:31</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',72,10);">72:10</a>). Thus translate: "a present...<i>from</i> a people." Or translate, as <i>English Version;</i> "the present" will mean "the people" of Ethiopia converted to God (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',15,16);">Rom 15:16</a>). HORSLEY takes the people converted to Jehovah, as the Jews in the latter days.
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<br><br><b>place of the name</b>—where Jehovah peculiarly manifests His glory; <a onclick="return mV('Act',2,10);">Act 2:10</a> show how worshippers came up to Jerusalem from Egypt" and "Ethiopia." Frumentius, an Egyptian, in the fourth century, converted Abyssinia to Christianity; and a Christian church, under an <i>abuna</i> or bishop, still flourishes there. The full accomplishment is probably still future.
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