1
Isa 18:1-7.
英文原文
Isa 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
(Isa 18:3).
As
Isa 17:12-14
announced the presence of the foe, so
Isa 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 Hebrew does not express a threat, but is an appeal calling attention
(Isa 55:1; Zec 2:6):
"Ho." He is not speaking against but to the Ethiopians, calling on them to hear his prophetical announcement as to the destruction of their enemies.
shadowing with wings--rather, "land of the winged bark"; that is, "barks with wing-like sails, answering to vessels of bulrushes" in
Isa 18:2;
the word "rivers," in the parallelism, also favors it; so the Septuagint and Chaldee [EWALD]. "Land of the clanging sound of wings," that is, armies, as in
Isa 8:8;
the rendering "bark," or "ship," is rather dubious [MAURER]. The armies referred to are those of Tirhakah, advancing to meet the Assyrians
(Isa 37:9).
In English Version, "shadowing" means protecting--stretching out its wings to defend a feeble people, namely, the Hebrews [VITRINGA]. The Hebrew for "wings" is the same as for the idol Cneph, which was represented in temple sculptures with wings
(Ps 91:4).
beyond--Meroe, the island between the "rivers" Nile and Astaboras is meant, famed for its commerce, and perhaps the seat of the Ethiopian government, hence addressed here as representing the whole empire: remains of temples are still found, and the name of "Tirhakah" in the inscriptions. This island region was probably the chief part of Queen Candace's kingdom
(Ac 8:27).
For "beyond" others translate less literally "which borderest on."
Ethiopia--literally, "Cush." HORSLEY is probably right that the ultimate and fullest reference of the prophecy is to the restoration of the Jews in the Holy Land through the instrumentality of some distant people skilled in navigation
(Isa 18:2; Isa 60:9, 10; Ps 45:15; 68:31; Zep 3:10).
Phœnician voyagers coasting along would speak of all Western remote lands as "beyond" the Nile's mouths. "Cush," too, has a wide sense, being applied not only to Ethiopia, but Arabia-Deserta and Felix, and along the Persian Gulf, as far as the Tigris
(Ge 2:13).
2
無標題
2. ambassadors——當提爾哈卡與希西家為抵禦預期中西拿基立的攻擊而進行談判之際，派往耶路撒冷的使者
(Isa 37:9).
by . . . sea——在尼羅河上
(Isa 19:5):
如以下經文所證。
vessels of bulrushes——以蒲草製成、外塗瀝青的輕巧獨木舟：摩西被放置的「箱子」也是如此
(Ex 2:3).
Go——以賽亞叫他們回去，帶回神即將對付
(Isa 18:4)
猶大與古實共同仇敵的消息。
scattered and peeled——不如譯作「強壯而精明」[MAURER]。希伯來文的「強壯」字面作「被拉長」（Margin；
Ps 36:10; Ec 2:3).
「精明」字面作「鋒利」
(Hab 1:8,
Margin; 該動詞意為「磨利」刀劍，
Eze 21:15, 16);
也作「光滑」。因 HERODOTUS（3:20, 114）形容古實人為「最高大俊美的男子」，G. V. SMITH 譯作「高大俊美」；字面作「伸展的」
(Isa 45:14,
「身量高大的人」)及光滑的（古實人有「光滑潤澤的皮膚」）。在英文譯本中，所指為猶太人——被驅散的流浪者，滿受屈辱（字面作「頭髮被扯去」，HORSLEY）。
terrible——以善戰聞名的古實人 [ROSENMULLER]。因神的災疫而使別人懼怕遭同樣待遇的猶太人
(De 28:37).
不如譯作「令人敬畏的可畏」[HORSLEY]。神起初將祂百姓的「威嚴」放在周圍列國中
(Ex 23:27; Jos 2:9);
末後的日子也必如此
(Zec 12:2, 3).
from . . . beginning hitherto——英文譯本如此譯為正確。但 GESENIUS 作「向可畏的（上埃及）民族，並更遠處」（即真正意義上的古實人）。
meted out——希伯來文作「準繩的」。準繩用於拆毀建築物
(Isa 34:11; 2Ki 21:13; La 2:8).
因此，主動意義上，此處意為「一個量度的民——一個毀滅一切的民」；這比被動意義的「被量度」更符合上下文 [MAURER]。HORSLEY 將之理解為猶太人，譯作「期待、期待（持續不斷地期盼彌賽亞的姿態）而被踐踏」；是他們生動的寫照。大多數人譯作力量、力量（源於詞根繃緊筋骨），即極強大的民。
trodden down——對猶太人而言為真。但 MAURER 取主動意義，譯作一個將一切仇敵「踐踏腳下」的民，即得勝的
(Isa 14:25),
即古實人。
spoiled——「切割」。尼羅河由阿比西尼亞許多河流匯聚而成——阿特巴拉河、阿斯塔普斯河（即青尼羅河，二者之間即為此處所指的麥羅埃「古實」），以及阿斯塔博拉斯河（即白尼羅河）；這些河流在上埃及的「地」上沿河岸沖刷土壤，並沉積於下埃及。G. V. SMITH 譯作「分割」。HORSLEY 取其比喻義，指征服的軍隊屢屢「劫掠」猶大。
英文原文
2. ambassadors--messengers sent to Jerusalem at the time that negotiations passed between Tirhakah and Hezekiah against the expected attack of Sennacherib
(Isa 37:9).
by . . . sea--on the Nile
(Isa 19:5):
as what follows proves.
vessels of bulrushes--light canoes, formed of papyrus, daubed over with pitch: so the "ark" in which Moses was exposed
(Ex 2:3).
Go--Isaiah tells them to take back the tidings of what God is about to do
(Isa 18:4)
against the common enemy of both Judah and Ethiopia.
scattered and peeled--rather, "strong and energetic" [MAURER]. The Hebrew for "strong" is literally, "drawn out" (Margin;
Ps 36:10; Ec 2:3).
"Energetic," literally, "sharp"
(Hab 1:8,
Margin; the verb means to "sharpen" a sword,
Eze 21:15, 16);
also "polished." As HERODOTUS (3:20, 114) characterizes the Ethiopians as "the tallest and fairest of men," G. V. SMITH translates, "tall and comely"; literally, "extended"
(Isa 45:14,
"men of stature") and polished (the Ethiopians had "smooth, glossy skins"). In English Version the reference is to the Jews, scattered outcasts, and loaded with indignity (literally, "having their hair torn off," HORSLEY).
terrible--the Ethiopians famed for warlike prowess [ROSENMULLER]. The Jews who, because of God's plague, made others to fear the like
(De 28:37).
Rather, "awfully remarkable" [HORSLEY]. God puts the "terror" of His people into the surrounding nations at the first
(Ex 23:27; Jos 2:9);
so it shall be again in the latter days
(Zec 12:2, 3).
from . . . beginning hitherto--so English Version rightly. But GESENIUS, "to the terrible nation (of upper Egypt) and further beyond" (to the Ethiopians, properly so called).
meted out--Hebrew, "of line." The measuring-line was used in destroying buildings
(Isa 34:11; 2Ki 21:13; La 2:8).
Hence, actively, it means here "a people meting out,--an all-destroying people"; which suits the context better than "meted," passively [MAURER]. HORSLEY, understanding it of the Jews, translates it, "Expecting, expecting (in a continual attitude of expectation of Messiah) and trampled under foot"; a graphic picture of them. Most translate, of strength, strength (from a root, to brace the sinews), that is, a most powerful people.
trodden down--true of the Jews. But MAURER translates it actively, a people "treading under foot" all its enemies, that is, victorious
(Isa 14:25),
namely, the Ethiopians.
spoiled--"cut up." The Nile is formed by the junction of many streams in Abyssinia, the Atbara, the Astapus or Blue river (between which two rivers Meroe, the "Ethiopia" here meant, lies), and the Astaboras or White river; these streams wash down the soil along their banks in the "land" of Upper Egypt and deposit it on that of Lower Egypt. G. V. SMITH translates it, "Divide." HORSLEY takes it figuratively of the conquering armies which have often "spoiled" Judea.
3
無標題
3. see ye . . . hear ye——不如作「你們將要看見……將要聽見」。這是呼籲全地作見證，看耶和華（「祂」）即將要行的事。祂必「豎起大旗」，招聚亞述混雜的軍隊
(Isa 5:26)
於耶路撒冷周圍的「諸山」之上，歸於他們自己的毀滅。本章（第十八章）宣告了那些軍隊即將傾覆，而其臨到已在
Isa 17:12, 13
中宣告。促使希西家求助於埃及的同一動機，也促使他欣然接受古實王特哈加的援助
(Isa 36:6; 37:9).
古實、埃及與猶大約在主前七一三年結盟對抗共同的敵人。參見第二十二章的註解，其中論及古實時，語調有所不同（因所指時期不同）。HORSLEY 認為「大旗」即十字架，「號筒」即福音的號筒，將在末後的日子更加響亮地吹響。
英文原文
3. see ye . . . hear ye--rather, "ye shall see . . . shall hear." Call to the whole earth to be witnesses of what Jehovah ("He") is about to do. He will "lift up an ensign," calling the Assyrian motley hosts together
(Isa 5:26)
on "the mountains" round Jerusalem, to their own destruction. This (the
eighteenth chapter)
declares the coming overthrow of those armies whose presence is announced in
Isa 17:12, 13.
The same motive, which led Hezekiah to seek aid from Egypt, led him to accept gladly the Ethiopian Tirhakah's aid
(Isa 36:6; 37:9).
Ethiopia, Egypt, and Judea were probably leagued together against the common enemy, 713 B.C. See notes on the
twenty-second chapter,
where a difference of tone (as referring to a different period) as to Ethiopia is observable. HORSLEY takes the "ensign" to be the cross, and the "trumpet" the Gospel trumpet, which shall be sounded more loudly in the last days.
4
無標題
4. take . . . rest . . . consider——我必靜觀而不介入，當一切看來都預示仇敵將要成功之時；比喻而言，當「日頭的炎熱」和「夜的露水」催熟他們的「莊稼」；卻在它成熟「之前」，我必將其毀滅
(Isa 18:5;
Ec 8:11, 12).
like a clear heat——不如作「在晴朗炎熱之時」[MAURER]。
upon herbs——對應平行句中的「莊稼」。MAURER 譯作「在日光中」
(Job 31:26; 37:21;
Hab 3:4).
like . . . dew——不如作「在雲露之時」。神的「緘默」被不敬虔之人誤作默許；祂報復的遲延被當作遺忘
(Ps 50:21);
末日前——那引入猶太人復興的報復之日——也必如此
(Isa 34:1-8; 57:11,
該節末，
2Pe 3:3-10).
英文原文
4. take . . . rest . . . consider--I will calmly look on and not interpose, while all seems to promise success to the enemy; when figuratively, "the sun's heat" and "the night dews" ripen their "harvest"; but "before" it reaches its maturity I will destroy it
(Isa 18:5; Ec 8:11, 12).
like a clear heat--rather, "at the time of the clear (serene) heat" [MAURER].
upon herbs--answering to "harvest" in the parallel clause. MAURER translates, "in the sunlight"
(Job 31:26; 37:21; Hab 3:4).
like . . . dew--rather, "at the time of the dew cloud." God's "silence" is mistaken by the ungodly for consent; His delay in taking vengeance for forgetfulness
(Ps 50:21);
so it shall be before the vengeance which in the last day shall usher in the restoration of the Jews
(Isa 34:1-8; 57:11,
end of the verse,
2Pe 3:3-10).
5
無標題
5. For——不如作「但」。
perfect——完成。當仇敵的計畫即將完成之際。
sour grape . . . flower——不如作「當花變為成熟的葡萄時」[MAURER]。
sprigs——帶著葡萄的嫩枝。神不僅要擾亂他們眼前的計畫，更要阻止他們將來再有任何謀算。HORSLEY 認為此處的「收割」和摘葡萄是指煉淨的審判——使不敬虔之人從地上被剪除，並使信實之人安居於地上的和平狀態中：不是最後的審判
(Joh 15:2;
Re 14:15-20).
英文原文
5. For--rather, "But."
perfect--perfected. When the enemy's plans are on the verge of completion.
sour grape . . . flower--rather, "when the flower shall become the ripening grape" [MAURER].
sprigs--the shoots with the grapes on them. God will not only disconcert their present plans, but prevent them forming any future ones. HORSLEY takes the "harvest" and vintage here as referring to purifying judgments which cause the excision of the ungodly from the earth, and the placing of the faithful in a state of peace on the earth: not the last judgment
(Joh 15:2; Re 14:15-20).
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無標題
6. birds . . . beasts——從「嫩枝」、「樹枝」的比喻過渡到所指之事：亞述軍兵和首領必成為飛鳥和走獸的食物，終年不息——「冬天」和「夏天」皆是——他們的屍首必多至如此。HORSLEY 將單數的希伯來文譯作：「在其上」，而非「在他們上」；「其」指神的「居所」
(Isa 18:4)
——即聖地，敵基督（「猛禽」連同「走獸」——他叛逆的軍隊）將要佔據，也將在那裏滅亡。
英文原文
6. birds . . . beasts--transition from the image "sprigs," "branches," to the thing meant: the Assyrian soldiers and leaders shall be the prey of birds and beasts, the whole year through, "winter" and "summer," so numerous shall be their carcasses. HORSLEY translates the Hebrew which is singular: "upon it," not "upon them"; the "it" refers to God's "dwelling-place"
(Isa 18:4)
in the Holy Land, which Antichrist ("the bird of prey" with the "beasts," his rebel hosts) is to possess himself of, and where he is to perish.
7
無標題
7. present . . . people scattered and peeled——正確譯法見
Isa 18:2
的註解。這些稱呼的重複，凸顯了如此強大的國家向耶和華所獻的尊榮。古實人因耶和華如此為祂百姓出面干預而驚嘆，必為尊榮祂而將禮物送到耶路撒冷
(Isa 16:1;
Ps 68:31;
Ps 72:10).
如此譯作：「一個禮物……來自一個民族」。或如英文譯本譯作：「這禮物」將指歸信神的古實百姓
(Ro 15:16).
HORSLEY 認為歸信耶和華的百姓是末後日子的猶太人。
place of the name——耶和華特別彰顯其榮耀之處；
Ac 2:10
和 8:27
顯示敬拜者如何從「埃及」和「古實」上耶路撒冷來。第四世紀時，埃及人 Frumentius 使阿比西尼亞歸信基督教；如今那裏仍有一個在 abuna（主教）之下的基督教會興盛。完全的應驗大概仍在未來。
英文原文
7. present . . . people scattered and peeled--For the right rendering, see on
Isa 18:2.
The repetition of epithets enhances the honor paid to Jehovah by so mighty a nation. The Ethiopians, wonder-struck at such an interposition of Jehovah in behalf of His people, shall send gifts to Jerusalem in His honor
(Isa 16:1; Ps 68:31; 72:10).
Thus translate: "a present . . . from a people." Or translate, as English Version; "the present" will mean "the people" of Ethiopia converted to God
(Ro 15:16).
HORSLEY takes the people converted to Jehovah, as the Jews in the latter days.
place of the name--where Jehovah peculiarly manifests His glory;
Ac 2:10 and 8:27
show how worshippers came up to Jerusalem from Egypt" and "Ethiopia." Frumentius, an Egyptian, in the fourth century, converted Abyssinia to Christianity; and a Christian church, under an abuna or bishop, still flourishes there. The full accomplishment is probably still future.
Isa 18:1-7.
以賽亞宣告西拿基立軍隊的覆滅，並請求此刻在耶路撒冷的古實（埃塞俄比亞）使節將此事回報本國；他又呼籲全世界來見證這事
(Isa 18:3).
正如
Isa 17:12-14
宣告了敵人的來到，
Isa 18:1-7
則預告了敵人的傾覆。
1. Woe——英文譯本的標題「神必毀滅古實人」是錯誤的，源於對「Woe」一詞的誤譯；希伯來文在此並非表達威脅，而是呼籲注意的招呼
(Isa 55:1; Zec 2:6):
「嗐」。他不是反對古實人說話，而是對他們說話，呼籲他們聆聽關於他們仇敵將被毀滅的預言。
shadowing with wings——不如譯作「有翅膀之船的土地」；即「有翼狀帆的船隻」，與
Isa 18:2
中的「蒲草船」相對應；平行結構中的「河」字也支持此說；七十士譯本與迦勒底譯本亦然 [EWALD]。「翅膀鏗鏘之聲的土地」，即軍隊，如
Isa 8:8;
但譯作「船」則頗為可疑 [MAURER]。所指的軍隊是提爾哈卡的軍隊，正前去迎戰亞述人
(Isa 37:9).
在英文譯本中，「shadowing」意為保護——展開翅膀護衛軟弱的百姓，即希伯來人 [VITRINGA]。「翅膀」的希伯來文與偶像 Cneph 相同，該偶像在廟宇雕刻中以有翅之形出現
(Ps 91:4).
beyond——指麥羅埃，即尼羅河與阿斯塔博拉斯河之間的島嶼，以商業聞名，可能是古實政權的所在地，故此處以此島代表整個帝國：至今仍有廟宇遺跡，銘文中也有「提爾哈卡」之名。這一島嶼地區大概就是干大基女王國度的主要部分
(Ac 8:27).
對於「beyond」，另有人較不按字面地譯作「與……接壤」。
Ethiopia——字面作「古實」。HORSLEY 大概是對的：本預言的終極與最豐滿的意義，是指猶太人將藉著某一善於航海的遙遠民族之助，在聖地復興
(Isa 18:2; Isa 60:9, 10; Ps 45:15; 68:31; Zep 3:10).
腓尼基航海者沿海航行時，會將尼羅河口以西的一切偏遠之地稱為「beyond（那邊）」。「古實」一詞含義甚廣，不僅指埃塞俄比亞，也用於阿拉伯沙漠、阿拉伯福地，以及波斯灣沿岸直至底格里斯河一帶
(Ge 2:13).