HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

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.