Revised Literal Translation
Isaiah 18:1
1Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
Isaiah 18:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
- New International Version (NIV)Woe to the land of whirring wings along the rivers of Cush,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Ah, land of whirring wings that is beyond the rivers of Cush,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, Which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,
Context of Isaiah 18:1
Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: 2That 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! 3All 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.
Read all of Isaiah 18Isaiah 18:1 word by word
ה֥וֹי אֶ֖רֶץ צִלְצַ֣ל כְּנָפָ֑יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר מֵעֵ֖בֶר לְנַֽהֲרֵי־כֽוּשׁ׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Isaiah 18:1
- Isaiah 20:3And Yhwh said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;
- Isaiah 30:2That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
- Isaiah 31:1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Yhwh!
- Ruth 2:12Yhwh recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of Yhwh God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
- Psalms 17:8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
- Psalms 36:7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
- Psalms 57:1Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
- Psalms 61:4I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
- Psalms 63:7Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
- Psalms 91:4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
- Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
- 2 Kings 19:9And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying,
- Ezekiel 30:4And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.
- Zephaniah 2:12Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.
- Zephaniah 3:10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
Commentaries on Isaiah 18:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Wo to the land - ארץ הוי hoi arets ! This interjection should be translated ho! for it is properly a particle of calling: Ho, land! Attend! Give ear! Shadowing with wings "The winged cymbal" - כנפים צלצל tsiltsal kenaphayim . I adopt this as the most probable of the many interpretations that have been given of these words. It is Bochart's: see Phaleg, 4:2. The Egyptian sistrum is expressed by a periphrasis; the Hebrews had no name for it in their…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Woe to the land - (הוי hôy ). This word, as has been already remarked (the note at Isaiah 17:12), may be a mere interjection or salutation, and would be appropriately rendered by Ho!‘ Or it may be a word denouncing judgment, or wrath, as it is often used in this prophecy (the note at Isaiah 5:8). Shadowing with wings - (כנפים צלצל tsı̂letsal kenāpāı̂ym ). This is one of the most difficult expressions in the whole chapter; and one to which as yet…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1God's care for his people; and the increase of the church. This chapter is one of the most obscure in Scripture, though more of it probably was understood by those for whose use it was first intended, than by us now. Swift messengers are sent by water to a nation marked by Providence, and measured out, trodden under foot. God's people are trampled on; but whoever thinks to swallow them up, finds they are cast down, yet not deserted, not destroyed. All the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Ethiopia was located to the south of Egypt. It marked the southern border of Egypt’s kingdom. At that time, Egypt was ruled by an Ethiopian dynasty (a family line of kings). One of its rulers was Piankhi, also known as Piye.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-7Is 18:1-7. Isaiah announces the overthrow of Sennacherib's hosts and desires the Ethiopian ambassadors, now in Jerusalem, to bring word of it to their own nation; and he calls on the whole world to witness the event (Is 18:3). As Is 17:12-14 announced the presence of the foe, so Is 18:1-7 foretells his overthrow. 1. Woe--The heading in English Version, "God will destroy the Ethiopians," is a mistake arising from the wrong rendering "Woe," whereas the…Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 18:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Revised Literal Translation — © 2018 Michael W. Jones, Sr. — GPL
Commentaries