King James Version

What Does Isaiah 18:2 Mean?

Isaiah 18:2 in the King James Version says “That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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! scattered: or, outspread and polished meted: or, that meteth out and treadeth down: Heb. of line, line, and treading under foot have: or, despise

Isaiah 18:2 · KJV


Context

1

Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:

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! scattered: or, outspread and polished meted: or, that meteth out and treadeth down: Heb. of line, line, and treading under foot have: or, despise

3

All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.

4

For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. consider: or, regard my set dwelling upon: or, after rain


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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!' Ethiopia sends ambassadors in papyrus reed boats (Egyptian/Cushite watercraft) seeking alliances. The 'swift messengers' carry diplomatic overtures. But to whom? The descriptions—'scattered and peeled' (tall and smooth-skinned), 'terrible from their beginning' (feared), 'meted out and trodden down' (measured and trampled)—likely describe Ethiopia itself, creating interpretive complexity. God may be commanding messengers to go TO Ethiopia with His message, or describing Ethiopian messengers' frantic diplomacy. Either way, human diplomatic maneuvering proves futile compared to divine sovereignty.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Papyrus reed boats were distinctive Egyptian/Cushite watercraft, light and fast for river travel. Ethiopian diplomacy during this period actively sought anti-Assyrian coalitions throughout the Levant. The descriptions fit Ethiopian/Cushite people: tall stature, smooth skin, fearsome reputation as warriors, and the Nile's annual flooding ('rivers have spoiled') defining their land. Historically, Ethiopia's anti-Assyrian efforts failed—Assyria defeated Egypt and Ethiopia at Eltekeh (701 BCE) and later campaigns. Despite fierce reputation and diplomatic efforts, Ethiopia couldn't prevent Assyrian dominance. Only God's direct intervention (701 BCE deliverance of Jerusalem) accomplished what Ethiopian military power couldn't.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Ethiopian diplomatic activity teach about human efforts to secure safety apart from God?
  2. How do the descriptions emphasize Ethiopia's impressive yet insufficient human qualities?
  3. Why did Ethiopian military power fail while God's direct intervention succeeded?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
הַשֹּׁלֵ֨חַ1 of 29

That sendeth

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בַּיָּ֜ם2 of 29

by the sea

H3220

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 artif

צִירִ֗ים3 of 29

ambassadors

H6735

a throe (as a phys. or mental pressure)

וּבִכְלֵי4 of 29

even in vessels

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

גֹמֶא֮5 of 29

of bulrushes

H1573

properly, an absorbent, i.e., the bulrush (from its porosity); specifically the papyrus

עַל6 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵי7 of 29

upon

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מַיִם֒8 of 29

the waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

לְכ֣וּ׀9 of 29
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מַלְאָכִ֣ים10 of 29

messengers

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

קַלִּ֗ים11 of 29

ye swift

H7031

light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial)

אֶל12 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גּ֚וֹי13 of 29

a nation

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

מְמֻשָּׁ֣ךְ14 of 29

scattered

H4900

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.)

וּמוֹרָ֔ט15 of 29

and peeled

H4178

obstinate, i.e., independent

אֶל16 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַ֥ם17 of 29

to a people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

נוֹרָ֖א18 of 29

terrible

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

מִן19 of 29
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

ה֣וּא20 of 29
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וָהָ֑לְאָה21 of 29

from their beginning hitherto

H1973

to the distance, i.e., far away; also (of time) thus far

גּ֚וֹי22 of 29

a nation

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

קַו23 of 29
H0
קָ֣ו24 of 29

meted out

H6978

stalwart

וּמְבוּסָ֔ה25 of 29

and trodden down

H4001

a trampling

אֲשֶׁר26 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּזְא֥וּ27 of 29

have spoiled

H958

probably to cleave

נְהָרִ֖ים28 of 29

the rivers

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

אַרְצֽוֹ׃29 of 29

whose land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 18:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 18:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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