---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Isaiah 18"
description: "CHAPTER 18   :-. Isaiah announces the overthrow of
Sennacherib"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/18"
---

CHAPTER 18

.
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 (). As announced the presence of the foe, so foretells his overthrow.

**1. Woe**—The heading in *English
Version,* "God will destroy the Ethiopians," is a
mistake arising from the wrong rendering "Woe," whereas the
*Hebrew* does not express a threat, but is an *appeal*
calling attention ([Isaiah 55:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/55/1);
[Zechariah 2:6](../../../kjv/zechariah/2/6)): "Ho." He is
not speaking *against* but *to* the Ethiopians, calling on
them to hear his prophetical announcement as to the destruction of
their enemies.
**shadowing with wings**—rather,
"land *of the winged bark*"; that is, "barks with
wing-like sails, answering to vessels of bulrushes" in [Zechariah 2:6](../../../kjv/zechariah/2/6); the word "rivers," in the parallelism, also
favors it; so the *Septuagint* and *Chaldee* [EWALD].
"Land of the clanging sound of *wings,*" that is,
armies, as in [Isaiah 8:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/8/8); the
rendering "bark," or "ship," is rather dubious
[MAURER]. The armies
referred to are those of Tirhakah, advancing to meet the Assyrians
([Isaiah 37:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/37/9)). In *English
Version,* "shadowing" means *protecting*—stretching
out its *wings* to defend a feeble people, namely, the Hebrews
[VITRINGA]. The *Hebrew*
for "wings" is the same as for the idol *Cneph,* which
was represented in temple sculptures with wings ([Isaiah 37:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/37/9)).
**beyond**—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 ([Isaiah 37:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/37/9)). For "beyond" others translate less literally
"which borderest on."
**Ethiopia**—literally,
"Cush." HORSLEY
is probably right that the *ultimate* and *fullest*
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 ([Isaiah 18:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/18/2);
[Isaiah 60:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/9); [Isaiah 60:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/10);
[Psalms 45:15](../../../kjv/psalms/45/15); [Psalms 68:31](../../../kjv/psalms/68/31);
[Zephaniah 3:10](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/10)). Phoelignician voyagers
coasting along would speak of all Western *remote* 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 ([Zephaniah 3:10](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/10)).

**2. ambassadors**—messengers sent
to Jerusalem at the time that negotiations passed between Tirhakah
and Hezekiah against the expected attack of Sennacherib ().
**by . . . sea**—on the
*Nile* ([Isaiah 19:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/19/5)): as what
follows proves.
**vessels of bulrushes**—light
canoes, formed of papyrus, daubed over with pitch: so the "ark"
in which Moses was exposed ([Exodus 2:3](../../../kjv/exodus/2/3)).
**Go**—Isaiah tells them to
take back the tidings of what God is about to do ([Exodus 2:3](../../../kjv/exodus/2/3)) against the common enemy of both Judah and Ethiopia.
**scattered and peeled**—rather,
"strong and energetic" [MAURER].
The *Hebrew* for "strong" is literally, "drawn
out" (*Margin;* [Psalms 36:10](../../../kjv/psalms/36/10);
[Ecclesiastes 2:3](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/2/3)). "Energetic,"
literally, "sharp" ([Ecclesiastes 2:3](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/2/3), *Margin;* the verb means to "sharpen" a
sword, [Ezekiel 21:15](../../../kjv/ezekiel/21/15); [Ezekiel 21:16](../../../kjv/ezekiel/21/16));
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"
([Isaiah 45:14](../../../kjv/isaiah/45/14), "men of
stature") *and polished* (the Ethiopians had "smooth,
glossy skins"). In *English Version* the reference is to
the Jews, *scattered* outcasts, and loaded with indignity
(literally, "having their hair torn off," HORSLEY).
**terrible**—the *Ethiopians*
famed for warlike prowess [ROSENMULLER].
The *Jews* who, because of God's plague, made others to fear the
like ([Deuteronomy 28:37](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/37)). Rather,
"awfully remarkable" [HORSLEY].
God puts the "terror" of His people into the surrounding
nations at the first ([Exodus 23:27](../../../kjv/exodus/23/27);
[Joshua 2:9](../../../kjv/joshua/2/9)); so it shall be again in
the latter days ([Zechariah 12:2](../../../kjv/zechariah/12/2);
[Zechariah 12:3](../../../kjv/zechariah/12/3)).
**from . . . beginning
hitherto**—so *English Version* rightly. But GESENIUS,
"to the terrible nation (of upper Egypt) and further beyond"
(to the Ethiopians, properly so called).
**meted out**—*Hebrew,*
"of line." The measuring-line was used in *destroying*
buildings ([Isaiah 34:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/34/11); [2 Kings 21:13](../../../kjv/2-kings/21/13);
[Lamentations 2:8](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/8)). Hence, actively, it
means here "a people *meting out,*—an all-destroying
people"; which suits the context better than "meted,"
passively [MAURER].
HORSLEY, understanding it
of *the Jews,* translates it, "Expecting, expecting (in a
continual attitude of expectation of Messiah) and trampled under
foot"; a graphic picture of them. Most translate, *of
strength, strength* (from a root, *to brace* the sinews),
that is, *a most powerful* people.
**trodden down**—true of
the Jews. But MAURER
translates it actively, a people "treading under foot" all
its enemies, that is, *victorious* ([Lamentations 2:8](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/8)), namely, the Ethiopians.
**spoiled**—"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 *wash down* 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 *of the conquering armies* which have
often "spoiled" *Judea.*

**3. see ye . . . hear ye**—rather,
"ye shall see . . . shall hear." Call to the whole earth to
*be witnesses* of what *Jehovah* ("He") is about
to do. He will "lift up an ensign," calling the Assyrian
motley hosts together ([Isaiah 5:26](../../../kjv/isaiah/5/26))
on "the mountains" round Jerusalem, to their own
destruction. This (the [Isaiah 5:26](../../../kjv/isaiah/5/26)) declares the coming overthrow of those armies whose
presence is announced in [Isaiah 17:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/17/12);
[Isaiah 17:13](../../../kjv/isaiah/17/13). The same motive, which
led Hezekiah to seek aid from Egypt, led him to accept gladly the
Ethiopian Tirhakah's aid ([Isaiah 36:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/36/6);
[Isaiah 37:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/37/9)). Ethiopia, Egypt, and
Judea were probably leagued together against the common enemy, 713
B.C. See notes on the
[Isaiah 18:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/18/2), 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 *Gospel trumpet,* which shall be sounded more loudly in the
last days.

**4. take . . . rest . . . consider**—I
will *calmly look on* 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
([Isaiah 18:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/18/5); [Ecclesiastes 8:11](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/8/11);
[Ecclesiastes 8:12](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/8/12)).
**like a clear heat**—rather,
"at the time of the clear (serene) heat" [MAURER].
**upon herbs**—answering to
"harvest" in the parallel clause. MAURER
translates, "in the sunlight" ([Job 31:26](../../../kjv/job/31/26);
[Job 37:21](../../../kjv/job/37/21); [Habakkuk 3:4](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/4)).
**like . . . dew**—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 ([Psalms 50:21](../../../kjv/psalms/50/21));
so it shall be before the vengeance which in the last day shall usher
in the restoration of the Jews ([Isaiah 34:1-8](../../../kjv/isaiah/34/1-8);
[Isaiah 57:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/57/11), end of the verse, [Isaiah 57:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/57/11)).

**5. For**—rather, "But."
**perfect**—perfected. When
the enemy's plans are on the verge of completion.
**sour grape . . .
flower**—rather, "when the flower shall become the ripening
grape" [MAURER].
**sprigs**—the *shoots*
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 *on the
earth:* not the last judgment ([John 15:2](../../../kjv/john/15/2);
[Revelation 14:15-20](../../../kjv/revelation/14/15-20)).

**6. birds . . . beasts**—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 *Hebrew* which is *singular:* "upon
*it,*" not "upon them"; the "it" refers
to God's "dwelling-place" () 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.

**7. present . . . people scattered
and peeled**—For the right rendering, see on . The repetition of epithets enhances the honor paid to
Jehovah by *so mighty a nation.* The Ethiopians, wonder-struck
at such an interposition of Jehovah in behalf of His people, shall
send gifts to Jerusalem in His honor ([Isaiah 16:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/16/1);
[Psalms 68:31](../../../kjv/psalms/68/31); [Psalms 72:10](../../../kjv/psalms/72/10)).
Thus translate: "a present . . . *from* a people." Or
translate, as *English Version;* "the present" will
mean "the people" of Ethiopia converted to God ([Psalms 72:10](../../../kjv/psalms/72/10)). HORSLEY takes
the people converted to Jehovah, as the Jews in the latter days.
**place of the name**—where
Jehovah peculiarly manifests His glory; [Acts 2:10](../../../kjv/acts/2/10);
[Acts 8:27](../../../kjv/acts/8/27) 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 *abuna* or
bishop, still flourishes there. The full accomplishment is probably
still future.

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