Isaiah 18:2

That sendeth ambassadours by the sea, euen in vessels of bulrushes vpon the waters, saying; Goe yee swift messengers to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto, a nation meted out and troden downe; whose land the riuers haue spoiled. Isaiah 18:2 (KJV)

Isaiah 18 is a prophecy concerning the nation of Cush, an ancient kingdom located in the region of present‑day Sudan and Ethiopia. In this chapter the Lord gives Isaiah a vision of Cush and its impending judgment. The opening phrase, “That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters,” depicts Cush sending envoys across the water in reed‑crafted boats. This image suggests an attempt to communicate with distant peoples or to forge alliances, highlighting the nation’s outreach beyond its borders.

The verse continues with a command to the messengers: “Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled.”

It is worth noting that some readers observe that the longer descriptive clauses—“scattered and peeled,” “terrible from their beginning hitherto,” and “meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled”—are not found in every early manuscript of the text and therefore should be handled with caution when quoted. Nonetheless, the King James Version includes these phrases, and they shape the overall impression of a nation under divine scrutiny.

The broader application of this passage invites believers to reflect on God’s sovereignty and justice. While the original audience was Cush, the themes of sending messengers, facing judgment, and the consequences of oppression speak to contemporary readers. Studying Isaiah 18:2 encourages us to consider how we respond to divine warning, to trust in God’s righteous judgment, and to live faithfully and responsibly in light of His overarching plan.