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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 18:1 Woe to the land of whirring wings, along the rivers of Cush,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/18-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/23_Isa_18_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 18:1 - A Message to Cush" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Woe to the land of whirring wings, along the rivers of Cush," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/17-14.htm" title="Isaiah 17:14">◄</a> Isaiah 18:1 <a href="/isaiah/18-2.htm" title="Isaiah 18:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Woe to the land of whirring wings along the rivers of Cush,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Listen, Ethiopia—land of fluttering sails that lies at the headwaters of the Nile,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Ah, land of whirring wings that is beyond the rivers of Cush,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to the land of whirring wings, along the rivers of Cush,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which <i>is</i> beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, Which <i>is</i> beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe, land of whirring wings Which lies beyond the rivers of Cush,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Alas, oh land of whirring wings Which lies beyond the rivers of Cush,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Alas, oh land of whirring wings Which lies beyond the rivers of Cush,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Alas, O land of whirring wings Which lies beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Woe (judgment is coming) to the land of whirring wings Which is beyond the rivers of Cush (Ethiopia),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to the land of buzzing insect wings beyond the rivers of Cush,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Ah! The land of buzzing insect wings beyond the rivers of Cush <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Ah, the land of the rustling of wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Downstream from Ethiopia lies the country of Egypt, swarming with insects. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Ah, the land of the rustling of wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How horrible it will be for the land of whirring wings which lies beyond the rivers of Sudan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Beyond the rivers of Ethiopia there is a land where the sound of wings is heard. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe to the land of whirring wings that is beyond the rivers of Cush, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to the land of whirring wings, along the rivers of Cush,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The land of buzzing wings is as good as dead, the one beyond the rivers of Cush, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Ah, the land of the rustling of wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Cush:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Ah, the land of the rustling of wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, land shadowed [with] wings, "" That [is] beyond the rivers of Cush,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Ho, land shadowed with wings, That is beyond the rivers of Cush,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wo to the land of the whizzing of wings, which is from beyond the rivers of Cush:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />WOE to the land, the winged cymbal, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Woe to the land, that winged cymbal, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Ah! Land of buzzing insects, beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Ah, land of whirring wings beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />WOE to the land of shadowing wings which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Woe to the land of the shadow of wings that is at the crossing of the rivers of Kush<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Ah, land of the buzzing of wings, Which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Woe to you, ye wings of the land of ships, beyond the rivers of Ethiopia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/18-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=3719" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/18.htm">A Message to Cush</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1945.htm" title="1945: hō·w (Interjection) -- Ah! alas! ha! A prolonged form of how; oh!">Woe</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’e·reṣ (N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">to the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/6767.htm" title="6767: ṣil·ṣal (N-msc) -- From tsalal reduplicated; a clatter, i.e. whirring; a cricket; also a harpoon, a cymbal.">of whirring</a> <a href="/hebrew/3671.htm" title="3671: kə·nā·p̄ā·yim (N-md) -- Wing, extremity. From kanaph; an edge or extremity; specifically a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle.">wings,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5676.htm" title="5676: mê·‘ê·ḇer (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Region across or beyond, side. From abar; properly, a region across; but used only adverbially on the opposite side.">along</a> <a href="/hebrew/5104.htm" title="5104: lə·na·hă·rê- (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- A stream, river. From nahar; a stream; figuratively, prosperity.">the rivers</a> <a href="/hebrew/3568.htm" title="3568: ḵūš (N-proper-fs) -- Probably of foreign origin; Cush, the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite.">of Cush,</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>which sends couriers by sea, in papyrus vessels on the waters. Go, swift messengers, to a people tall and smooth-skinned, to a people widely feared, to a powerful nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/3-10.htm">Zephaniah 3:10</a></span><br />From beyond the rivers of Cush My worshipers, My scattered people, will bring Me an offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-27.htm">Acts 8:27</a></span><br />So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/68-31.htm">Psalm 68:31</a></span><br />Envoys will arrive from Egypt; Cush will stretch out her hands to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/30-4.htm">Ezekiel 30:4-5</a></span><br />A sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the slain fall in Egypt, its wealth is taken away, and its foundations are torn down. / Cush, Put, and Lud, and all the various peoples, as well as Libya and the men of the covenant land, will fall with Egypt by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/46-9.htm">Jeremiah 46:9</a></span><br />Advance, O horses! Race furiously, O chariots! Let the warriors come forth—Cush and Put carrying their shields, men of Lydia drawing the bow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/14-9.htm">2 Chronicles 14:9</a></span><br />Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots, and they advanced as far as Mareshah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-11.htm">Isaiah 11:11</a></span><br />On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/20-3.htm">Isaiah 20:3-5</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, / so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. / Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-14.htm">Isaiah 45:14</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-6.htm">Genesis 10:6-7</a></span><br />The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. / The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/3-9.htm">Nahum 3:9</a></span><br />Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/11-43.htm">Daniel 11:43</a></span><br />He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt, and the Libyans and Cushites will also submit to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/29-10.htm">Ezekiel 29:10</a></span><br />therefore I am against you and against your rivers. I will turn the land of Egypt into a ruin, a desolate wasteland from Migdol to Syene, and as far as the border of Cush.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/19-1.htm">Isaiah 19:1</a></span><br />This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-3.htm">Isaiah 43:3</a></span><br />For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="hdg">the land</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/20-3.htm">Isaiah 20:3-6</a></b></br> And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years <i>for</i> a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-2.htm">Isaiah 30:2,3</a></b></br> That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Isaiah 31:1</a></b></br> Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because <i>they are</i> many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!</p><p class="hdg">shadowing</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ruth/2-12.htm">Ruth 2:12</a></b></br> The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/17-8.htm">Psalm 17:8</a></b></br> Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/36-7.htm">Psalm 36:7</a></b></br> How excellent <i>is</i> thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.</p><p class="hdg">which</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/19-9.htm">2 Kings 19:9</a></b></br> And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/30-4.htm">Ezekiel 30:4,5</a></b></br> And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zephaniah/2-12.htm">Zephaniah 2:12</a></b></br> Ye Ethiopians also, ye <i>shall be</i> slain by my sword.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/17-12.htm">Ah</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-12.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-11.htm">Cush</a> <a href="/psalms/87-4.htm">Ethiopia</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-12.htm">Ha</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Ho</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-6.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-18.htm">Rivers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-7.htm">Rustling</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Shadowing</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-8.htm">Side</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-12.htm">Sounding</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-12.htm">Wings</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-12.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/29-1.htm">Ah</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-16.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-3.htm">Cush</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-3.htm">Ethiopia</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-7.htm">Ha</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-1.htm">Ho</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-10.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/isaiah/18-2.htm">Rivers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-7.htm">Rustling</a> <a href="/ezekiel/31-3.htm">Shadowing</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-20.htm">Side</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-21.htm">Sounding</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-15.htm">Wings</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-16.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/18-1.htm">God, in care of his people, will destroy the Ethiopians</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/18-7.htm">An accession thereby shall be made to the church</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Woe to the land of whirring wings</b><br>The term "woe" is often used in prophetic literature to signal impending judgment or calamity. The "land of whirring wings" likely refers to a region known for its insects or possibly its military prowess, symbolized by the sound of wings. This could be indicative of a land with a bustling, active environment, possibly referring to the presence of locusts or other insects common in the region. The imagery of "whirring wings" might also suggest a sense of urgency or impending action. In a broader biblical context, "woe" is a call to repentance and a warning of divine judgment, as seen in other prophetic books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel.<p><b>along the rivers of Cush</b><br>Cush is generally identified with the region south of Egypt, often associated with modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia. The "rivers of Cush" likely refer to the Nile and its tributaries, which were vital for the region's agriculture and trade. Historically, Cush was known for its wealth and military strength, often interacting with ancient Israel and Egypt. The mention of Cush in Isaiah's prophecy may indicate a message directed towards a powerful and distant nation, emphasizing the reach of God's sovereignty. In biblical history, Cushites are mentioned in various contexts, including the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in <a href="/acts/8.htm">Acts 8</a>, highlighting the spread of the gospel to all nations. The reference to Cush in Isaiah may also serve as a reminder of God's ultimate plan for all nations, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the redemptive work of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/c/cush.htm">Cush</a></b><br>An ancient region often associated with modern-day Sudan and parts of Ethiopia. In biblical times, Cush was known for its powerful and influential kingdom, often mentioned in the context of its interactions with Israel and other nations.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/w/whirring_wings.htm">Whirring Wings</a></b><br>This phrase is often interpreted as a reference to the buzzing or whirring sound of insects, possibly locusts, or the sound of swift boats or messengers. It symbolizes activity and movement, possibly indicating the bustling nature of the region or its military prowess.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rivers_of_cush.htm">Rivers of Cush</a></b><br>The Nile and its tributaries, which were vital for the sustenance and economy of the Cushite kingdom. These rivers were significant for trade and communication.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_sovereignty.htm">Understanding God's Sovereignty</a></b><br><a href="/isaiah/18.htm">Isaiah 18:1</a> reminds us of God's control over all nations, including those far from Israel. It encourages believers to trust in God's overarching plan for all peoples.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_nations_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Nations in God's Plan</a></b><br>The mention of Cush highlights that God's interest and involvement extend beyond Israel to all nations. This serves as a reminder of the global scope of God's redemptive work.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening_to_god's_warnings.htm">The Importance of Listening to God's Warnings</a></b><br>The "woe" pronounced is a call to heed God's warnings. It encourages believers to be attentive to God's messages and respond with obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_and_historical_context_in_scripture.htm">Cultural and Historical Context in Scripture</a></b><br>Understanding the historical and cultural background of Cush enriches our comprehension of the text and its implications for the original audience and for us today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/mission_and_evangelism.htm">Mission and Evangelism</a></b><br>The inclusion of Cush in biblical prophecy and account underscores the importance of reaching all nations with the Gospel, as seen in the New Testament's Great Commission.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/isaiah_18_1__what_is_'land_of_whirring_wings'.htm">Isaiah 18:1: How can the reference to a “land of whirring wings” be reconciled with any known geography or culture? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_ethiopia's_swift_boat_envoys.htm">Isaiah 18:2: What historical or archaeological evidence exists for Ethiopia sending envoys in swift boats, as the text suggests? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/isaiah_1_18__sins_scarlet_to_snow_rational.htm">In Isaiah 1:18, how are sins metaphorically transformed from scarlet to snow-white, and does this claim raise issues for a purely rational or scientific interpretation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_god's_hand_signify.htm">What does 'sins as scarlet' mean in Isaiah 1:18?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><span class= "bld">XVIII.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">Woe to the land shadowing with wings.</span>--A new kingdom, hitherto unnamed by Isaiah, comes now within his horizon. The movements of Tirhakah, king of Cush or Ethiopia, from the upper valley of the Nile, subduing Egypt, and prepared to enter into conflict with the great Assyrian king (<a href="/isaiah/37-9.htm" title="And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with you. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,">Isaiah 37:9</a>), had apparently excited the hopes of such of Hezekiah's counsellors as put their trust in an arm of flesh. To these Isaiah now turns with words of warning. The words "shadowing with wings" have been very variously interpreted as implying (1) the image of a mighty eagle stretching out its imperial wings (<a href="/context/ezekiel/17-1.htm" title="And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,">Ezekiel 17:1-8</a>); (2) the <span class= "ital">ur?us </span>or disk with outspread wings which appears in Egyptian paintings as the symbol of Ethiopian sovereignty; (3) the rendering <span class= "ital">resounding </span>being adopted instead of "shadowing," the swarms of the <span class= "ital">tse-tse </span>fly that have been the terror of all travellers in Abyssinia. Of these (2) has most to commend it, and receives confirmation from the inscription of Piankhi-Mer-Amon, translated by Canon Cook in <span class= "ital">Records of the Past </span>(2 p. 89), in which that king, an Ethiopian, who had conquered Egypt, appears with the <span class= "ital">ur?us </span>on his head, and the chiefs of the north and south cry out to him, "Grant us to be under thy shadow." (Comp. <a href="/context/isaiah/30-2.htm" title="That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!">Isaiah 30:2-3</a>.) The phrase, "beyond the river," points, as in <a href="/zephaniah/3-10.htm" title="From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring my offering.">Zephaniah 3:10</a>, to the region of the White and the Blue Nile, south of Meroe or <span class= "ital">Sennar, </span>and not far from the Lake Nyanza of modern explorers.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-7.</span> - THE HOMAGE OF ETHIOPIA TO JEHOVAH. Amid the general excitement caused by the advance of Assyria, Ethiopia also is stirred, and stirred to its furthest limits. The king sends messengers in beats upon the canals and rivers to summon his troops to his standard (vers. 1, 2). The earth stands agaze to see the result of the approaching collision (ver. 3); but God rests calmly in heaven while events are ripening (vers. 4, 5). When the time comes he will strike the blow - Assyria will be given to the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field (ver. 6). Then Ethiopia will make an act of homage to Jehovah by the sending of a present to Jerusalem (ver. 7). The time seems to be that immediately preceding the great invasion of Sennacherib (about <span class="date">B.C. 700</span>), when Shabatok the Ethiopian was King of Egypt, and Tirhakah (Tahark) either Crown Prince under him, or more probably Lord Paramount of Egypt over him, and reigning at Napata. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Woe to the land</span>; rather, <span class="accented">Ho</span> <span class="accented">for the land!</span> (comp. <a href="/isaiah/17-12.htm">Isaiah 17:12</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Shadowing with wings</span>; literally, either <span class="accented">the land of the shadow of wings</span> or <span class="accented">the land of the noise of wings</span>, most probably the latter. Allusion is thought to be made to the swarms of buzzing flies, especially the tsetse, with which Ethiopia abounds. At the same time, these swarms are, perhaps, intended to be taken as emblems of the hosts of warriors which Ethiopia can send forth (comp. <a href="/isaiah/7-18.htm">Isaiah 7:18</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Beyond the rivers of Ethiopia</span>. The prophet cannot be supposed to have had more than a vague knowledge of African geography. He seems, however, robe aware that Ethiopia is a land of many rivers (see Baker's 'Nile Tributaries'), and he assumes that the dominion of the Ethiopian kings extends even beyond these rivers to the south of them. His object is, as Mr. Cheyne says, "to emphasize the greatness of Ethiopia." It may be questioned, however, whether the dominion of the Ethiopian kings of the time extended so far as he supposed. The seat of their power was Napata, now <span class="accented">Gebel Berkal</span>, in the great bend of the Nile between lat. 18° and 19° N.; and its southern limit was probably Khar-toum and the line of the Blue Nile (see Rawlinson's 'History of Ancient Egypt,' vol. 2. p. 436). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/18-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Woe</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֥וֹי</span> <span class="translit">(hō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1945.htm">Strong's 1945: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ah! alas! ha!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the land</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֖רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of whirring</span><br /><span class="heb">צִלְצַ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(ṣil·ṣal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6767.htm">Strong's 6767: </a> </span><span class="str2">A clatter, whirring, a cricket, a harpoon, a cymbal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wings,</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּנָפָ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(kə·nā·p̄ā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3671.htm">Strong's 3671: </a> </span><span class="str2">An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">along</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעֵ֖בֶר</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘ê·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5676.htm">Strong's 5676: </a> </span><span class="str2">A region across, on the opposite side</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the rivers</span><br /><span class="heb">לְנַֽהֲרֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·na·hă·rê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5104.htm">Strong's 5104: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stream, prosperity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Cush,</span><br /><span class="heb">כֽוּשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḵūš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3568.htm">Strong's 3568: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son of Ham, also his descendants, also a land in the southern Nile Valley</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/18-1.htm">Isaiah 18:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/18-1.htm">Isaiah 18:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/18-1.htm">Isaiah 18:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/18-1.htm">Isaiah 18:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/18-1.htm">Isaiah 18:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/18-1.htm">Isaiah 18:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/18-1.htm">Isaiah 18:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/18-1.htm">Isaiah 18:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/18-1.htm">Isaiah 18:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/18-1.htm">Isaiah 18:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/18-1.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 18:1 Ah the land of the rustling (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/17-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 17:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 17:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/18-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 18:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 18:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>