King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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!
Complete Jewish Bible:
they send ambassadors by sea, across the water in papyrus-reed boats! Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and bronzed, to a people feared far and near, to a strong and conquering nation whose land is divided by rivers!
Berean Standard Bible:
which sends couriers by sea, in papyrus vessels on the waters. Go, swift messengers, to a people tall and smooth-skinned, to a people widely feared, to a powerful nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers.
American Standard Version:
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!
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
That sendeth{H7971} ambassadors{H6735} by the sea{H3220}, even in vessels{H3627} of bulrushes{H1573} upon{H6440} the waters{H4325}, saying, Go{H3212}, ye swift{H7031} messengers{H4397}, to a nation{H1471} scattered{H4900} and peeled{H4178}, to a people{H5971} terrible{H3372} from their beginning hitherto{H1973}; a nation{H1471} meted out{H6978} and trodden down{H4001}, whose land{H776} the rivers{H5104} have spoiled{H958}!
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 10:8
- And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
Genesis 10:9
- He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
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.
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.
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 12:2
- 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,
2 Chronicles 12:4
- And he took the fenced cities which [pertained] to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Isaiah 18:2
Isaiah 18:2 is part of a prophecy in the Book of Isaiah, which is situated within the context of the prophet's oracles against the nations. This particular verse is believed to be directed towards Cush, an ancient region located in what is now Sudan and Ethiopia. The Cushites were known for their naval prowess, which is reflected in the description of ambassadors being sent "by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters." These vessels made of papyrus reeds were common in ancient Egypt and regions along the Nile, suggesting that the Cushites may have used similar watercraft for diplomatic or military expeditions.
The verse conveys a sense of urgency, commanding these "swift messengers" to travel to a nation that is described as "scattered and peeled," "terrible from their beginning hitherto," and "meted out and trodden down." This language indicates a people who have faced hardship and strife, possibly due to internal conflict or external invasion, and whose land has suffered from the ravages of war or natural disasters, as implied by "whose land the rivers have spoiled."
The historical context of this verse likely reflects the geopolitical dynamics of the 8th century BCE, during which various nations, including Israel, Judah, and their neighbors, were engaged in complex alliances, conflicts, and power shifts. The description of the nation in question could be interpreted as a once-formidable power now facing decline or distress.
In summary, Isaiah 18:2 paints a vivid picture of a powerful but troubled nation, using the imagery of naval expeditions to convey the urgency of the message being delivered by the prophet. It reflects the historical realities of ancient Near Eastern geopolitics and the prophetic tradition of issuing warnings and judgments against foreign nations, as well as Israel and Judah. The verse captures the themes of divine judgment, the transient nature of political power, and the broader eschatological concerns of the Book of Isaiah.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - Strong's Number: H6735
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צִיר
Transliteration: tsîyr
Pronunciation: tseer
Description: from צוּר; a hinge (as pressed in turning); also a throe (as a phys. or mental pressure); also a herald or erranddoer (as constrained by the principal); ambassador, hinge, messenger, pain, pang, sorrow. Compare צִיר. - Strong's Number: H3220
There are 339 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָם
Transliteration: yâm
Pronunciation: yawm
Description: 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 Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south; sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). - Strong's Number: H3627
There are 276 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּלִי
Transliteration: kᵉlîy
Pronunciation: kel-ee'
Description: from כָּלָה; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon); armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. - Strong's Number: H1573
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֹּמֶא
Transliteration: gômeʼ
Pronunciation: go'-meh
Description: from גָּמָא; properly, an absorbent, i.e. the bulrush (from its porosity); specifically the papyrus; (bul-) rush. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); 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.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H7031
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קַל
Transliteration: qal
Pronunciation: kal
Description: contracted from קָלַל; light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial); light, swift(-ly). - Strong's Number: H4397
There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֲלְאָךְ
Transliteration: mălʼâk
Pronunciation: mal-awk'
Description: from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger. - Strong's Number: H1471
There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹי
Transliteration: gôwy
Pronunciation: go'-ee
Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H4900
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָשַׁךְ
Transliteration: mâshak
Pronunciation: maw-shak'
Description: 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.); draw (along, out), continue, defer, extend, forbear, [idiom] give, handle, make (pro-, sound) long, [idiom] sow, scatter, stretch out. - Strong's Number: H4178
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוֹרָט
Transliteration: môwrâṭ
Pronunciation: mo-rawt'
Description: from יָרַט; obstinate, i.e. independent; peeled. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H3372
There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרֵא
Transliteration: yârêʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
Description: a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten; affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). - Strong's Number: H1973
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָלְאָה
Transliteration: hâlᵉʼâh
Pronunciation: haw-leh-aw'
Description: xlit hâlᵉâh corrected to hâlᵉʼâh; from the primitive form of the article (hal); to the distance, i.e. far away; also (of time) thus far; back, beyond, (hence,-) forward, hitherto, thence, forth, yonder. - Strong's Number: H6978
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קַו־קַו
Transliteration: qav-qav
Pronunciation: kav-kav'
Description: lemma קַו־קַי yod, corrected to קַו־קַו; from קַו (in the sense of a fastening); stalwart; [idiom] meted out. - Strong's Number: H4001
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְבוּסָה
Transliteration: mᵉbûwçâh
Pronunciation: meb-oo-saw'
Description: from בּוּס; a trampling; treading (trodden) down (under foot). - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H5104
There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָהָר
Transliteration: nâhâr
Pronunciation: naw-hawr'
Description: from נָהַר; a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity; flood, river. - Strong's Number: H958
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּזָא
Transliteration: bâzâʼ
Pronunciation: baw-zaw'
Description: a primitive root; probably to cleave; spoil.