Isaiah 18 — Tyndale Study Notes
Isa.17.1-20.6
This section contains prophecies of judgment against Damascus, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The scene moves from the crisis of 734 BC (the alliance of Syria and Israel—see study note on 7:1-25) to the Assyrian crisis in 701 BC (see chs 36–37).
Isa.18.1
Ethiopia was at the southern extremity of the kingdom of Egypt. At the time, Egypt was ruled by the dynasty of the Ethiopian Piankhi.
Isa.18.3
Both the battle flag and ram’s horn were used to marshal and send signals to armies in battle (see Judg 3:27; 6:34; 2 Sam 2:28).
Isa.18.4
The Lord is untroubled by human activities; he watches quietly from his dwelling place and acts in his own time (see Ps 2:1-4).
Isa.18.5
your plans are ripening: Ethiopia had made every effort to form alliances to protect itself against Assyria, but its alliance with Judah would not help.
Isa.18.7
Conquered or weaker nations were often forced to pay tribute to a dominant king in the region (see 16:1; 2 Kgs 3:4-5). The Ethiopians would come bringing gifts to honor the Lord for his defeat of the Assyrians (see also 2 Chr 32:23).