Isaiah 18 Study Notes

18:1-7 The statement about Cush is not called a pronouncement as the previous chapters have specified, but the opening word Woe signals a type of judgment speech (see notes at 1:4; 17:12). The land of Cush was south of Egypt, on the upper (southern) portion of the Nile River, roughly identical to modern Ethiopia.

18:1 The best explanation for the reputation of the region beyond the rivers of Cush as being a land of buzzing insect wings is that it was renowned for its bugs.

18:2 Cush sent envoys on reed vessels, typical of Egypt and Cush, down the Nile River toward Judah. Then follows a command to go to a nation described as having tall and smooth-skinned inhabitants who spoke a strange language and were feared. The best understanding of this is that the command is addressed to Judean envoys to go to Cush since the description describes that nation, rather than as a command to the Ethiopian messengers to return home. The verse describes hectic diplomatic activity.

18:3 In spite of human diplomatic efforts, a decisive moment will occur in the future when an army gathers for battle. The banner marks the rallying point (5:26; 11:10,12; 13:2), and the trumpet signals the start of war.

18:4 In contrast to the frenetic efforts of diplomacy, God was calmly in control.

18:5-6 God’s judgment is compared to pruning a grapevine before the grapes ripen. Those fallen in battle would be left to the wild animals.

18:7 The Ethiopians (Cushites), described as a tall and smooth-skinned people (v. 2), are pictured as bringing tribute. This is a sign of their submission to God’s temple on Zion after the judgment.