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.

ISAIAH 18:7KJV
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Isaiah 18:7 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 18:7 mean?

Isaiah 18:7 describes a future time when people from a distant, troubled nation—who have suffered and been scattered—will bring a gift to the LORD of hosts at Mount Zion, the place associated with God's name. This verse pictures a humbled nation offering tribute or honor to God in Jerusalem after a period of hardship.

Isaiah is speaking to or about a nation far from Israel, often thought to be Cush (ancient Ethiopia), describing them as scattered, "peeled" (meaning shaven or stripped), and having endured much. The verse closes a prophecy about God's dealings with this nation, showing that even those once far off and afflicted will one day recognize and honor the LORD in Jerusalem.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 18:7

  • present (שַׁי, shay): This word means a gift or tribute, often brought as an offering of respect or submission. Here, it emphasizes that the people are not coming empty-handed but are bringing something valuable to God.
  • scattered (מָשַׁךְ, mashakh): This word carries the idea of being drawn out or spread abroad, highlighting the people's separation and dispersion.
  • peeled (מוֹרָט, morat): This word can mean polished, shaven, or stripped, suggesting a people who have been humbled or marked by hardship.
  • spoiled (בָּזָה, bazah): This means to be plundered or devastated, showing that the land of these people has suffered from destruction, likely by invading forces or natural disasters.

Why Isaiah 18:7 matters

  • Isaiah 18:7 clarifies that God's reach and concern extend beyond Israel to distant nations, showing a vision of all peoples eventually honoring God.
  • The verse highlights that those who have suffered and been humbled are not forgotten but are included in God's future plans for worship and recognition at Mount Zion.
  • This verse ties together the themes of judgment and restoration in Isaiah 18, showing that God's ultimate goal is not just punishment but also reconciliation and worship from all nations.