Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

I Cannot affirm of what people Isaiah speaks; although it be apparent enough that it was some coū try bordering upon Ethiopia. Some refer it to the whole land of Egypt; but without any good probability, seeing he makes a particular treatise thereof in the Chapter following: and therefore we must understand this as spoken to a people separate from the Egyptians. Many suppose that it should be the Troglodytes; which yet seems not very likely, because they had no familiarity with other nations: for their speech (as the Cosmographers testify, was rather a whistling or h•ssing, then any distinct sound of words. But as touching these here mentioned, it is plain that they had both society and league with other nations. Yet is it uncertain whether they conspired against the Jews or no, or whether they joined with the Egyptians to make war upon the Assyrians. If they were the open adversaries of the Jews, then Isaiah denounceth their punishment. But contrariwise, if they did feed the Jews with deceitful promises, he shows that they were to expect no succour from them; because they did nothing but entertain time with their frivolous messages. How ever it be, we may gather by that which he speaks of the nations near adjoining, which he will name in this Chapter, in what place this people was seated; to wit, very near unto Egypt and Ethiopia. Unless any had rather affirm, that it is meant of part of the sea coast of Ethiopia;¹ because it will appear by the 37. Chapter of this book, that the Assyrians had war with the King of Ethiopia. Now when it is said, that this land makes a shadow with wings, it appears that the sea was nigh unto it; so as it became rich in regard of much navigation. For small and poor regions cannot frequent nor occupy in strange Countries. His meaning is then, that this people used to traffic much by sea.