Isaiah 18:7
In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.
Original Language Analysis
בָּעֵת֩
In that time
H6256
בָּעֵת֩
In that time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
1 of 29
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַהִ֨יא
H1931
הַהִ֨יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 29
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יֽוּבַל
be brought
H2986
יֽוּבַל
be brought
Strong's:
H2986
Word #:
3 of 29
properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp)
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
6 of 29
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
וּמֵעַ֥ם
and from a people
H5971
וּמֵעַ֥ם
and from a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 29
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מְמֻשָּׁ֣ךְ
scattered
H4900
מְמֻשָּׁ֣ךְ
scattered
Strong's:
H4900
Word #:
8 of 29
to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)
וּמֵעַ֥ם
and from a people
H5971
וּמֵעַ֥ם
and from a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 29
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
נוֹרָ֖א
terrible
H3372
נוֹרָ֖א
terrible
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
11 of 29
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
12 of 29
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
13 of 29
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וָהָ֑לְאָה
from their beginning hitherto
H1973
וָהָ֑לְאָה
from their beginning hitherto
Strong's:
H1973
Word #:
14 of 29
to the distance, i.e., far away; also (of time) thus far
גּ֣וֹי׀
a nation
H1471
גּ֣וֹי׀
a nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
15 of 29
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נְהָרִים֙
the rivers
H5104
נְהָרִים֙
the rivers
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
21 of 29
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
מְק֛וֹם
to the place
H4725
מְק֛וֹם
to the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
24 of 29
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
שֵׁם
of the name
H8034
שֵׁם
of the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
25 of 29
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
26 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
27 of 29
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
Cross References
Zephaniah 3:10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.Isaiah 45:14Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.Isaiah 18:4For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.2 Chronicles 32:23And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.Isaiah 16:1Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.Micah 4:13Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.
Historical Context
Historically, some Ethiopians did convert to Judaism, including the Ethiopian dynasty claiming descent from Solomon and Sheba. The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 demonstrates early Christian penetration into Ethiopia. Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity remains one of the world's oldest continuous Christian communities (since 4th century CE). The prophecy's fulfillment demonstrates God's redemptive purposes transcend judgment—even nations experiencing divine discipline ultimately participate in worship. Archaeological evidence includes Ethiopian pilgrims to Jerusalem in various periods. The vision anticipates global worship beyond ethnic boundaries, prefiguring the multi-ethnic Church.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Ethiopia's transformation from diplomat to worshipper demonstrate redemptive judgment?
- What does this teach about God's ultimate purposes being salvation, not merely judgment?
- How did the Ethiopian eunuch's conversion (Acts 8) partially fulfill this prophecy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.' After judgment comes worship—Ethiopia brings tribute to Jerusalem's temple. The same descriptions from verse 2 now characterize worshippers rather than diplomats. This eschatological vision sees Ethiopia acknowledging Yahweh's sovereignty, bringing gifts to Mount Zion. This fulfills promises that nations will worship Israel's God (Isaiah 2:2-3; 60:3-7; Psalm 68:31). Reformed eschatology sees partial historical fulfillment (Ethiopian eunuch's conversion, Acts 8:26-39) and complete fulfillment when all nations worship Christ (Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 7:9).