Verse 1
Isaiah 18:1-7. 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 (Isaiah 18:3). As Isaiah 17:12-14 announced the presence of the foe, so Isaiah 18:1-7 foretells his overthrow.
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; 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 Isaiah 18:2; 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; 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). 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 (Psalm 91:4).
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 (Acts 8:27). 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; Isaiah 60:9, Isaiah 60:10; Psalm 45:15; Psalm 68:31; Zephaniah 3:10). Phoenician 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 (Genesis 2:13).
Verse 2
ambassadors — messengers sent to Jerusalem at the time that negotiations passed between Tirhakah and Hezekiah against the expected attack of Sennacherib (Isaiah 37:9).
by … sea — on the Nile (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).
Go — Isaiah tells them to take back the tidings of what God is about to do (Isaiah 18:4) 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; Psalm 36:10; Ecclesiastes 2:3). “Energetic,” literally, “sharp” (Habakkuk 1:8, Margin; the verb means to “sharpen” a sword, Ezekiel 21:15, 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, “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). Rather, “awfully remarkable” [Horsley]. God puts the “terror” of His people into the surrounding nations at the first (Exodus 23:27; Joshua 2:9); so it shall be again in the latter days (Zechariah 12:2, 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; 2 Kings 21:13; 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 (Isaiah 14:25), 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.
Verse 3
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) 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 Isaiah 17:12, 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; Isaiah 37:9). 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 Gospel trumpet, which shall be sounded more loudly in the last days.
Verse 4
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; Ecclesiastes 8:11, 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; Job 37:21; 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 (Psalm 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; Isaiah 57:11, end of the verse, 2 Peter 3:3-10).
Verse 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; Revelation 14:15-20).
Verse 6
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” (Isaiah 18:4) 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.
Verse 7
people scattered and peeled — For the right rendering, see on Isaiah 18:2. 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; Psalm 68:31; Psalm 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 (Romans 15:16). 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 and 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.