Ver. 1. Woe to the land.] To Ethiopia, described here, (1.) By the shady mountains wherewith it is surrounded; (2.) By the rivers wherewith it is watered. Which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia.] Or, Which is along by the rivers, even Ethiopia, which also may be said to be “beyond the rivers,” i.e., beyond the seven streams of Nile in respect of Jerusalem. Strabo.
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. 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 2 Kings 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 (Isaiah 18:1) -do despise. For this chapter is not more short than dark, and diversely rendered and sensed. Iunceae fiscellae picatae. -Vide Plin., lib. vi. cap. 22.
Ver. 3. All the inhabitants of the world, see ye.] Or, Ye shall see when he lifteth up a banner on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, ye shall hear— i.e., ye shall shortly see the Assyrians returning from the conquest of the Ethiopian with glory and great joy; but what will the Lord do the while?
Ver. 4. I will take my rest, I will consider.] He will sit and bethink himself, as it were, how he may best bestow his poor people. The Assyrian shall go on with his great design for a while, and none shall interrupt him; but the Church meanwhile shall not be unprovided for. Like a clear heat upon herbs.] Or, After rain which makes herbs and plants suddenly to sprout and shoot up amain. God will not only look upon his people, but refresh them in troubles.
Ver. 5. For afore the harvest.] Or, Vintage. When the bud is perfect, &c.] When the Assyrian, fleshed with his former victory, maketh full account that all is his own, God shall make his hopes to hop headless. He shall slaughter his forces, [as Isaiah 18:6] branches and sprigs, great and small.
Ver. 6. They shall be left together.] They, that is, the Assyrians slain by the angel. [as Psalms 79:2 Isaiah 37:36] The fowls shall summer upon them.] Both birds and beasts of prey shall have enough to feed upon the whole year about.
Ver. 7. In that time.] When the Assyrians are thus slain. Shall the present be brought,] sc., By the Jews, who shall consecrate a considerable part of the spoils of the Assyrians, according to Numbers 31:28,47,50,54. Thankfulness for public deliverances is still due to the Most High: “Bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.” (Psalms 76:11)