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Isa_18:2 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!
Ver. 2. That sendeth ambassadors by the sea.] Heralds to defy the Assyrian, and to bid him battle, to their own ruin.
Even in the vessels of bulrushes.] Or, In paper barques well pitched. {a} These were much in use among the Ethiopians and Egyptians, both for expedition and also for safety against rocks, shallows, and falls of rivers.
Go, ye swift messengers.] Tirhaka’s words to his heralds. See 2Ki_19:9.
To a nation scattered and peeled,] i.e., To the Assyrians, whose great forces are at this time scattered up and down in several countries, and therefore with more ease and safety to be set upon. Thus the Ethiopian pleaseth himself in the conceit of an easy conquest, but was quickly confuted; the Jews who trusted unto him were disappointed, and Sennacherib more enraged against Jerusalem.
To a people terrible.] The mauls {hammers} of mankind; but I shall chastise them. Thus he triumpheth before the victory, having already devoured Assyria in his hopes.
A nation meted out and trodden down.] Or rather meeting out and treading down. Or shortly to be meted out to conculcation or destruction.
Whose land the rivers have spoiled.] Or, The floods - inundations of enemies - shall spoil; or, Whose land the rivers - the Ethiopians who live by the rivers {Isa_18:1} - do despise. For this chapter is not more short than dark, and diversely rendered and sensed.
{a} Iunceae fiscellae picatae. - Vide Plin., lib. vi. cap. 22.