Vers. 1. Oh the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the riuer of Ethi∣opia.
I Cannot affirme of what people Isaiah speakes; although it be apparent enough that it was some coū∣try bordering vpon Ethiopia. Some refer it to the whole land of Egypt; but without any good probabilitie, seeing he makes a par∣ticular treatise thereof in the Chapter fol∣lowing: and therefore wee must vnderstand this as spoken to a people separate from the Egyptians. Many suppose that it should be the Troglod••tes; which yet seemes not very likely, because they had no familiaritie with other nations: for their speech (as the Cos∣mographers testifie, was rather a whistling or h••ssing, then any distinct sound of words. But as touching these here mentioned, it is plaine that they had both society and league with other nations. Yet is it vncertaine whe∣ther they conspired against the Iewes or no, or whether they ioyned with the Egyptiās to make war vpon the Assyrians. If they were the open aduersaries of the Iewes, then Isaiah de∣nounceth their punishment. But contrari∣wise, if they did feede the Iewes with deceit∣full promises, he shewes that they were to ex∣pect no succour from them; because they did nothing but entertaine time with their fri∣uolous messages. How euer it be, we may ga∣ther by that which he speakes of the nations neere adioyning, which he will name in this Chapter, in what place this people was sea∣ted; to wit, very neere vnto Egypt and Ethio∣pia. Vnlesse any had rather affirme, that it is meant of part of the sea coast of Ethiopia; be∣cause it will appeare by the 37. Chapter of this booke, that the Assyrians had warre with the King of Ethiopia. Now when it is said, that this land makes a shadow with wings, it ap∣peares that the sea was nigh vnto it; so as it became rich in regard of much nauigation. For small and poore regions cannot fre∣quent nor occupie in strange Countries. His meaning is then, that this people vsed to traf∣fique much by sea.