RV 'Ah, the land of the rustling of wings,' probably alluding to the buzzing swarms of flies characteristic of ETHIOPIA (the land between the Upper Nile and the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf), but some see a reference to the disk with wings, which appears in ancient Egyptian paintings as a symbol of Ethi... [ Continue Reading ]
ETHIOPIA REASSURED Isaiah here addresses the Ethiopians, who, agitated at the advance of the Assyrians west-ward, were sending ambassadors to other states to organise resistance. He foretells the sudden overthrow of the Assyrians, as in Isaiah 10:28; Isaiah 14:24; Isaiah 17:12 and this prophecy sho... [ Continue Reading ]
VESSELS OF BULRUSHES] i.e. made of papyrus, such as are still in use on the Nile. Omit _saying_ and understand the exhortation Go ye, etc., as addressed by the prophet to the Ethiopian ambassadors, bidding them return home and prepare their nation, not for war, but to be spectators (Isaiah 18:3) of... [ Continue Reading ]
The v. vividly depicts the calmness of Jehovah in contrast to the unrest amongst the nations. LIKE.. HERBS] RM 'when there is clear heat in sunshine.'... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE BUD.. FLOWER] RV 'when the blossom is over and the flower becometh a ripening grape.' The Assyrian plans are maturing (under apparently favourable conditions, Isaiah 18:4), but just as they become ripe they are suddenly marred. The sudden overthrow of the Assyrians is similarly foretold, Is... [ Continue Reading ]
A PEOPLE SCATTERED] Correct the rendering as in Isaiah 18:2. On witnessing the deliverance, Ethiopia will render homage to Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]