Isaiah 18:2New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— Which sends envoys by the sea, Even in papyrus vessels on the surface of the waters. Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, To a people feared far and wide, A powerful and oppressive nation Whose land the rivers divide.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, [saying], Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— that sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of papyrus upon the waters, [saying], Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, to a people terrible from their beginning onward; a nation that meteth out and treadeth down, whose land the rivers divide!
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— that sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of papyrus upon the waters, [saying], Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, to a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation that meteth out and treadeth down, whose land the rivers divide!
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— That sendeth embassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, [saying], Go, ye swift messengers to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation measured by line and trodden down, whose land the rivers have laid waste.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— that sendest ambassadors over the sea, and in vessels of papyrus upon the waters, [saying,] Go, swift messengers, to a nation scattered and ravaged, to a people terrible from their existence and thenceforth; to a nation of continued waiting and of treading down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— That sendeth, by the sea, ambassadors, Even in vessels of paper-reed, upon the face of the waters,—Go, ye swift messengers, Unto a nation drawn out and polished, Unto a people terrible from their beginning and onwards,—A nation most mighty and subduing, Whose land rivers, have cut through.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— That is sending by sea ambassadors, Even with implements of reed on the face of the waters,—Go, ye light messengers, Unto a nation drawn out and peeled, Unto a people fearful from its beginning and onwards, A nation meeting out by line, and treading down, Whose land floods have spoiled.
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, and in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters. Go, ye swift angels, to a nation rent and torn in pieces: to a terrible people, after which there is no other: to a nation expecting and trodden underfoot, whose land the rivers have spoiled.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Sending ambassadours by the Sea, euen in vessels of reedes vpon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation that is scattered abroade, and spoyled, vnto a terrible people from their beginning euen hitherto: a nation by litle and litle, euen troden vnder foote, whose land the floods haue spoyled.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— That sendeth ambassadours by the sea, euen in vessels of bulrushes vpon the waters, [saying]; Goe yee swift messengers to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto, a nation meted out and troden downe; whose land the riuers haue spoiled.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— That sends ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of papyrus upon the waters, saying, Go, you swift messengers, to a nation who will be plundered and uprooted, to a nation whose strength was within it hitherto; to a people who will be dishonored and trodden down, whose land the rivers have ruined!
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— He sends messengers by the sea, and paper letters on the water: for swift messengers shall go to a lofty nation, and to a strange and harsh people. Who is beyond it? a nation not looked for, and trodden down.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, [saying], Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled! |
That sendeth
7971 {7971} Primeשָׁלַחshalach{shaw-lakh'}
A primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications).
z8802 <8802> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Participle Active (See H8814) Count - 5386
ambassadors
6735 {6735} Primeצִירtsiyr{tseer}
From H6696; a hinge (as pressed in turning); also a throe (as a physical or mental pressure); also a herald or errand doer (as constrained by the principal).
by the sea,
3220 {3220} Primeיָםyam{yawm}
From an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article) the Mediterranean; sometimes a large river, or an artificial basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south.
even in vessels
3627 {3627} Primeכְּלִיk@liy{kel-ee'}
From H3615; something prepared, that is, any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon).
of bulrushes
1573 {1573} Primeגֹּמֶאgome'{go'-meh}
From H1572; properly an absorbent, that is, the bulrush (from its porosity); specifically the papyrus.
upon
6440 {6440} Primeפָּנִיםpaniym{paw-neem'}
Plural (but always used as a singular) of an unused noun ( פָּנֶה paneh, {paw-neh'}; from H6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition ( before, etc.).
x5921 (5921) Complementעַל`al{al}
Properly the same as H5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural, often with prefix, or as conjugation with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications.
the waters,
4325 {4325} Primeמַיִםmayim{mah'-yim}
Dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively juice; by euphemism urine, semen.
[ saying], Go,
y3212 [3212] Standardיָלַךyalak{yaw-lak'}
A primitive root (compare H1980); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively to carry (in various senses).
z8798 <8798> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Imperative (See H8810) Count - 2847
x1980 (1980) Complementהָלַךְhalak{haw-lak'}
Akin to H3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively).
ye swift
7031 {7031} Primeקַלqal{kal}
Contracted from H7043; light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbially).
messengers,
4397 {4397} Primeמַלְאָךְmal'ak{mal-awk'}
From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, that is, an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher).
to
x413 (0413) Complementאֵל'el{ale}
(Used only in the shortened constructive form (the second form)); a primitive particle, properly denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, that is, near, with or among; often in general, to.
a nation
1471 {1471} Primeגּוֹיgowy{go'-ee}
Apparently from the same root as H1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.
scattered
4900 {4900} Primeמשׁךְmashak{maw-shak'}
A primitive root; to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.).
z8794 <8794> Grammar
Stem - Pual (See H8849) Mood - Participle (See H8813) Count - 194
and peeled,
4178 {4178} Primeמרטmowrat{mo-rawt'}
From H3399; obstinate, that is, independent.
z8794 <8794> Grammar
Stem - Pual (See H8849) Mood - Participle (See H8813) Count - 194
to
x413 (0413) Complementאֵל'el{ale}
(Used only in the shortened constructive form (the second form)); a primitive particle, properly denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, that is, near, with or among; often in general, to.
a people
5971 {5971} Primeעַם`am{am}
From H6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively a flock.
terrible
3372 {3372} Primeיָרֵאyare'{yaw-ray'}
A primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten.
z8737 <8737> Grammar
Stem - Niphal (See H8833) Mood - Participle (See H8813) Count - 793
from
x4480 (4480) Complementמִןmin{min}
For H4482; properly a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses.
their beginning
x1931 (1931) Complementהוּאhuw'{hoo}
The second form is the feminine beyond the Pentateuch; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he ( she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are.
hitherto;
1973 {1973} Primeהָלְאָהhal@ah{haw-leh-aw'}
From the primitive form of the article; to the distance, that is, far away; also (of time) thus far.
a nation
1471 {1471} Primeגּוֹיgowy{go'-ee}
Apparently from the same root as H1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.
meted out
6957 {6957} Primeקַוqav{kav}
From H6960 (compare H6961); a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord.
y6978 [6978] Standardקַו־קַוqav-qav{kav-kav'}
From H6957 (in the sense of a fastening); stalwart.
and trodden down,
4001 {4001} Primeמְבוּסָהm@buwcah{meb-oo-saw'}
From H0947; a trampling.
whose
x834 (0834) Complementאֲשֶׁר'asher{ash-er'}
A primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as adverb and conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
land
776 {0776} Primeאֶרֶץ'erets{eh'-rets}
From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land).
the rivers
5104 {5104} Primeנָהָרnahar{naw-hawr'}
From H5102; a stream (including the sea; especially the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity.
have spoiled!
958 {0958} Primeבָּזָאbaza'{baw-zaw'}
A primitive root; probably to cleave.
z8804 <8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Perfect (See H8816) Count - 12562 |
Isaiah 18:2
_ _ 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; Psalms 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. |
Isaiah 18:2
Sendeth — That at this time are sending ambassadors, to strengthen themselves with alliances. Bulrushes — Both the Egyptians and Ethiopians, used boats of rushes or reeds, which were more convenient for them than those of wood, because they were both cheaper and swifter, and lighter for carriage from place to place. These seem to be the words of the prophet, who having pronounced a woe against the land hitherto described, here continues his speech, and gives a commission from God to these messengers, to go to this nation scattered, &c. Then he calls to all nations to be witnesses of the message sent, Isaiah 18:3, and then the message follows in the succeeding verses. Messengers — Whom I have appointed for this work, and tell them what I am about to do with them. Scattered — Not by banishment but in their habitations. Which agrees well to the Ethiopians, for the manner of their habitation, which is more scattered than that of other people. Peeled — Having their hair plucked off. This is metaphorically used in scripture, for some great calamity, whereby men are stripped of all their comforts. And this title may be given to them prophetically, to signify their approaching destruction. Terrible — Such were the Egyptians, and Ethiopians, as appears both from sacred and profane histories. Meted — Meted out as it were with lines to destruction. Trodden — By Divine sentence, and to be trodden down by their enemies. The rivers — Which may be understood of the Assyrians or Babylonians breaking in upon them like a river, and destroying their land and people. |
Isaiah 18:2
That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of (b) bulrushes upon the waters, [saying], (c) Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and stripped, to a (d) people terrible from their beginning to this time; a nation measured by line and trodden down, whose land the (e) rivers have laid waste!
(b) Which is those countries were great, so much so that they made ships from them for swiftness.
(c) This may be taken that they sent others to comfort the Jews and to promise them help against their enemies, and so the Lord threatened to take away their strength, that the Jews should not trust in it: or that they solicited the Egyptians and promised them aid to go against Judah.
(d) That is, the Jews who because of God's plague made all other nations afraid of the same, as God threatened in (Deuteronomy 28:37).
(e) Meaning the Assyrians, (Isaiah 8:7). |
- sendeth:
Isaiah 30:2-4 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! ... For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.
Ezekiel 30:9 In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for, lo, it cometh.
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- vessels:
- It is well known that the Egyptians commonly used on the Nile a light sort of ships or boats made of the papyrus. See note on
Exodus 2:3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid [it] in the flags by the river's brink.
.
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- to a nation:
Isaiah 18:7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.
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- scattered and peeled:
- or, outspread and polished, Or, as Bp. Lowth renders, "stretched out in length and smoothed." Egypt, which is situated between 24 degrees and 32 degrees n lat. and 30 degrees and 33 degrees e long., being bounded on the south by Ethiopia, on the north by the Mediterranean, on the east by the mountains of Arabia, and on the west by those of Lybia, is one long vale, 750 miles in length (through the middle of which runs the Nile), in breadth from one to two or three day's journey, and even at the widest part of the Delta, from Pelusium to Alexandria, not above 250 miles broad.
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- to a people:
Genesis 10:8-9 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. ... He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
2 Chronicles 12:2-4 And it came to pass, [that] in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD, ... And he took the fenced cities which [pertained] to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 14:9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.
2 Chronicles 16:8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.
, Heb
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- Meted out and trodden down:
- or, that meteth out and treadeth down, Heb. of line, line, and treading under foot, This is an allusion to the frequent necessity of having recourse to mensuration in Egypt, in order to determine their boundaries, after the inundation of the Nile had smoothed their land and effaced their landmarks; and to their method of throwing seed upon the mud, when the waters had subsided, and treading it in by turning their cattle into the fields.
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- have spoiled:
- or, despise,
Isaiah 19:5-7 And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up. ... The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no [more].
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