Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

This is properly to be referred to the state of those times. It seems that this people had solicited the Egyptians, or Syrians, to vex the Jews: or else that the Assyrians used them to molest the Country of Judea; or, that they were companions of the Egyptians, joining hand in hand to beat back the Assyrians, lest they should wax too strong and mighty. We can affirm nothing but by way of conjecture, because all histories are silent in this behalf. Seeing then that we want witnesses in this case, we must use probable conjectures. It is very likely that these journeys were not taken in hand to go to some place near unto them, but far off. Whereas he calls them ships of rushes, we are not to think it strange; because it appears by ancient histories, that the Egyptians commonly used such vessels by sea, in regard that Nilus is so steep and dangerous to those that sail in it in some places, by reason of the height from whence the waters do violently fall; (which they call Catadupes) that it is impossible to bring ships of wood that way, without breaking & renting them upon the rocks. And therefore they are constrained to use little pliable vessels. And lest the water should enter in and drown them, the histories say, that these ships were lined with pitch in the insides of them.

THis is properly to bee referrred to the state of those times. It seemes that this people had solicited the Egyptians, or Syrians, to vexe the Iewes: or else that the Assyrians vsed them to molest the Country of Iudea; or, that they were companions of the Egyptians, ioyning hand in hand to beate backe the Assyrians, lest they should wax too strong and mightie. We can affirme nothing but by way of coniecture, because all histories are silent in this behalfe. Seeing then that we want witnesses in this case, we must vse probable coniectures. It is very likely that these iournies were not taken in hand to goe to some place neere vnto them, but farre off. Whereas hee calles them ships of rushes, wee are not to thinke it strange; because it appeares by ancient histories, that the Egyptians commonly vsed such vessels by sea, in regard that Nilus is so steepe and dangerous to those that saile in it in some places, by reason of the height from whence the waters doe violently fall; (which they call Catadupes) that it is impossible to bring ships of wood that way, without breaking & renting them vpon the rockes. And therefore they are constrained to vse little pliable vessels. And lest the water should enter in and drowne them, the histories say, that these ships were lined with pitch in the insides of them.