If we translate shadowing with wings, it may allude to the multitude of its vessels, whose sails may be represented under the notion of wings. The second verse seems to support this interpretation. Vessels of bulrushes, amg gome, or rather the flag papyrus, so much celebrated as the substance on which people wrote in ancient times, and from which our paper is denominated. The sails might have been made of this flag: but whole canoes were constructed from it. Mat sails are used to the present day in China. The Vulgate fully understood the meaning of the word, and has accordingly translated, in vasis papyri, "in vessels of papyrus." Reshi vesselis. - Old MS. Bib. This interpretation does not please Bp. Lowth, and for his dissent he gives the following reasons:- In opposition to other interpretations of these words which have prevailed, it may be briefly observed that lxlx tsiltsel is never used to signify shadow, nor is Pnk canaph applied to the sails of ships. If, therefore, the words are rightly interpreted the winged cymbal, meaning the sistrum, Egypt must be the country to which the prophecy is addressed. And upon this hypothesis the version and explanation must proceed. I farther suppose, that the prophecy was delivered before Sennacherib's return from his Egyptian expedition, which took up three years; and that it was designed to give to the Jews, and perhaps likewise to the Egyptians, an intimation of God's counsels in regard to the destruction of their great and powerful enemy.

Which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia "Which borders on the rivers of Cush"] What are the rivers of Cush? whether the eastern branches of the lower Nile, the boundary of Egypt towards Arabia, or the parts of the upper Nile towards Ethiopia, it is not easy to determine. The word rb[m meeber signifies either on this side or on the farther side: I have made use of the same kind of ambiguous expression in the translation.

This chapter is one of the most obscure in Scripture, though more of i probably was understood by those for whose use it was first intended than by us now. Swift messengers are sent by water to a nation marke by Providence, and measured out, trodden under foot. God's people ar trampled on; but whoever thinks to swallow them up, finds they are cas down, yet not deserted, not destroyed. All the dwellers on earth mus watch the motions of the Divine Providence, and wait upon the directions of the Divine will. God gives assurance to his prophet, an by him to be given to his people. Zion is his rest for ever, and he will look after it. He will suit to their case the comforts an refreshments he provides for them; they will be acceptable, becaus seasonable. He will reckon with his and their enemies; and as God' people are protected at all seasons of the year, so their enemies ar exposed at all seasons. A tribute of praise should be brought to God from all this. What is offered to God, must be offered in the way he has appointed; and we may expect him to meet us where he records his name. Thus shall the nations of the earth be convinced that Jehovah is the God, and Israel is his people, and shall unite in presentin spiritual sacrifices to his glory. Happy are those who take warning by his judgment on others, and hasten to join him and his people. Whateve land or people may be intended, we are here taught not to think tha God takes no care of his church, and has no respect to the affairs of men, because he permits the wicked to triumph for a season. He has wis reasons for so doing, which we cannot now understand, but which wil appear at the great day of his coming, when he will bring every wor into judgment, and reward every man according to his works __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew