Isaiah 18 - Introduction

A.M. 3290. B.C. 714.

The prophecy contained in this chapter, says Bishop Lowth, “is one of the most obscure in the whole book of Isaiah. The subject of it, the end and design of it, the people to whom it is addressed, the history to which it belongs, the person who sends the messengers, and the nation to whom the messengers are sent, are all obscure and doubtful.” Hence, as may be easily supposed, this prophecy has been very differently interpreted by learned men, with whose discordant opinions, however, we shall not trouble the reader, but rather shall lay before him that exposition which seems to be attended with the fewest difficulties, and therefore to be most probable. Vitringa, who has bestowed much labour upon it, considers it as being closely connected with the preceding prophecy concerning the destruction of the Assyrian army, of which he thinks it contains an enarration. According to him, we have a description of Egypt, Isaiah 18:1; Isaiah 18:2. A command to send messengers to them, as also to other nations, to inform them concerning this great work of divine justice to be effected on the Assyrian power, Isaiah 18:3. The glory that would hereby redound to God, Isaiah 18:7.