ISAIAS 18

CHAPTER XVIII.

Ver. 1.  Cymbal.  Or sistrum, commonly used in Egypt.  Sept. "ship sails." --- Ethiopia, or Chus, lying between the Nile (the branches of which are styled rivers) and the Red Sea.  He alludes to the kingdom of Tharaca.  4 K. xix. 8.  C.

Ver. 2.  Ambassadors.  Heb. "images," (Bochart) in honour of Adonis; (S. Cyr.) or rather Ezechias, or Tharaca send to demand troops.  C. --- Bulrushes.  Lit. "paper."  H. --- Formed of rushes which grow on the banks of the Nile.  Pliny vii. 56. and xiii. 11. --- Angels.  Or messengers. --- Pieces.  With factions after the death of Sabacon, or by the inroads of Sennacherib. --- Other.  He derides the vanity of the Egyptians.  C. --- Expecting the overflowing of the Nile.  H. --- Heb. "of line," (C.) with which they marked out each person's property, after the waters had subsided.  Strabo 17. --- Foot.  They worked their dough with their feet, and sent swine to trample on the seed, which required no more cultivation.  Herod. ii. 14. and 36. --- Spoiled.  The Nile made considerable alterations.

Ver. 4.  Place.  God rules all with ease. --- Harvest.  The allies shall comfort my people, (C.) or Sennacherib shall threaten ruin.  H. --- But I will frustrate his evil designs.  His army shall perish unexpectedly.  v. 5.  C. --- The Egyptians had sent messengers to assure the Israelites that they would come to assist them: but the prophet informs them of their own ruin.  W.

Ver. 6.  Them.  Their bodies shall lie unburied.

Ver. 7.  Sion.  Egypt shall send presents to the Lord.  2 Par. xxxii. 23.  C.