Isaiah 18:2 Meaning and Explanation
“That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, 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!”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ambassadors travel by sea to a scattered, strong nation whose land has been damaged by river flooding.
The Context of Isaiah 18:2
The passage describes the nation and its communication network across water routes.
What Does Isaiah 18:2 Mean?
The land described here sends messengers by water in papyrus boats—a detail matching Egyptian or Cushite practice. The recipients are called scattered and peeled (stripped), yet terrible from their beginning, suggesting a people historically scattered but formidable, with rivers having ravaged their territory.
This verse establishes that the nation Isaiah addresses possesses both weakness (scattered, damaged by rivers) and strength (terrible, formidable). Their land has been meted out and trodden down, implying division or conquest, yet they remain a force to reckon with in international affairs.
Isaiah 18:2 in the Original Language
peeled (קְלוּטָה, kelutah) — made bare or stripped, often of land ravaged or people exposed to judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 18:2
What does Isaiah 18:2 mean?
Ambassadors travel by sea to a scattered, strong nation whose land has been damaged by river flooding.
What is the context of Isaiah 18:2?
The passage describes the nation and its communication network across water routes.