King James Version

What Does Isaiah 18:7 Mean?

Isaiah 18:7 in the King James Version says “In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people ter... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. scattered: or, outspread and polished

Isaiah 18:7 · KJV


Context

5

For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.

6

They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.

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. scattered: or, outspread and polished


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' After judgment comes worship—Ethiopia brings tribute to Jerusalem's temple. The same descriptions from verse 2 now characterize worshippers rather than diplomats. This eschatological vision sees Ethiopia acknowledging Yahweh's sovereignty, bringing gifts to Mount Zion. This fulfills promises that nations will worship Israel's God (Isaiah 2:2-3; 60:3-7; Psalm 68:31). Reformed eschatology sees partial historical fulfillment (Ethiopian eunuch's conversion, Acts 8:26-39) and complete fulfillment when all nations worship Christ (Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 7:9).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historically, some Ethiopians did convert to Judaism, including the Ethiopian dynasty claiming descent from Solomon and Sheba. The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 demonstrates early Christian penetration into Ethiopia. Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity remains one of the world's oldest continuous Christian communities (since 4th century CE). The prophecy's fulfillment demonstrates God's redemptive purposes transcend judgment—even nations experiencing divine discipline ultimately participate in worship. Archaeological evidence includes Ethiopian pilgrims to Jerusalem in various periods. The vision anticipates global worship beyond ethnic boundaries, prefiguring the multi-ethnic Church.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Ethiopia's transformation from diplomat to worshipper demonstrate redemptive judgment?
  2. What does this teach about God's ultimate purposes being salvation, not merely judgment?
  3. How did the Ethiopian eunuch's conversion (Acts 8) partially fulfill this prophecy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
בָּעֵת֩1 of 29

In that time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הַהִ֨יא2 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

יֽוּבַל3 of 29

be brought

H2986

properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp)

שַׁ֜י4 of 29

shall the present

H7862

a gift (as available)

יְהוָ֥ה5 of 29

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֖וֹת6 of 29

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

וּמֵעַ֥ם7 of 29

and from a people

H5971

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

מְמֻשָּׁ֣ךְ8 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.)

וּמוֹרָ֔ט9 of 29

and peeled

H4178

obstinate, i.e., independent

וּמֵעַ֥ם10 of 29

and from a people

H5971

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

נוֹרָ֖א11 of 29

terrible

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

מִן12 of 29
H4480

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

ה֣וּא13 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

וָהָ֑לְאָה14 of 29

from their beginning hitherto

H1973

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

גּ֣וֹי׀15 of 29

a nation

H1471

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

קַו16 of 29
H0
קָ֣ו17 of 29

meted out

H6978

stalwart

וּמְבוּסָ֗ה18 of 29

and trodden under foot

H4001

a trampling

אֲשֶׁ֨ר19 of 29
H834

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

בָּזְא֤וּ20 of 29

have spoiled

H958

probably to cleave

נְהָרִים֙21 of 29

the rivers

H5104

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

אַרְצ֔וֹ22 of 29

whose land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֶל23 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מְק֛וֹם24 of 29

to the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

שֵׁם25 of 29

of the name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָ֥ה26 of 29

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֖וֹת27 of 29

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הַר28 of 29

the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

צִיּֽוֹן׃29 of 29

Zion

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem


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 18:7 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 18:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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