Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Cymbal. Or sistrum, commonly used in Egypt. Septuagint “ship sails.”—Ethiopia, or Chus, lying between the Nile (the branches of which are styled rivers) and the Red Sea. He alludes to the kingdom of Tharaca. 4 Kennicott. 19:8. Calmet.
Verse 2. Ambassadors. Hebrew “images,” (Bochart) in honour of Adonis; (Saint Cyril) or rather Ezechias, or Tharaca send to demand troops. Calmet.—Bulrushes. Lit. “paper.” Bible.—Formed of rushes which grow on the banks of the Nile. Pliny vii. 56. and xiii. 11.—Angels. Or messengers.—Pieces. With factions after the death of Sabacon, or by the inroads of Sennacherib.—Other. He derides the vanity of the Egyptians. Calmet.—Expecting the overflowing of the Nile. Bible.—Hebrew “of line,” ( Calmet.) with which they marked out each person’s property, after the waters had subsided. Strabo 17.—Foot. They worked their dough with their feet, and sent swine to trample on the seed, which required no more cultivation. Herod. ii. 14. and 36.—Spoiled. The Nile made considerable alterations.
Verse 4. Place. God rules all with ease.—Harvest. The allies shall comfort my people, ( Calmet.) or Sennacherib shall threaten ruin. Bible.—But I will frustrate his evil designs. His army shall perish unexpectedly. verse 5. Calmet.—The Egyptians had sent messengers to assure the Israelites that they would come to assist them: but the prophet informs them of their own ruin. Worthington.
Verse 6. Them. Their bodies shall lie unburied.
Verse 7. Sion. Egypt shall send presents to the Lord. 2 Chronicles 32:23. Calmet.