Which sends ambassadors by the Nile: The first two lines of this verse describe the country in the previous verse. The Hebrew word rendered ambassadors refers to people sent out by a person in authority to represent that person. The text does not specify where these messengers were sent, but most commentators assume it was Jerusalem (see the introductory comments on this section [18.1-7]). By the Nile is literally “by the sea.” Most translations refer to the Nile River since the papyrus boats mentioned in the next line probably only sailed on rivers and not at sea. But we recommend saying “on the sea” or “by sea” (New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) since this is poetry, which does not require precise descriptive language.

In vessels of papyrus upon the waters: Papyrus is a lightweight and waterproof reed that grows along the Nile River. People can bundle many of these reeds together and make them into boats for sailing on water. The Hebrew word translated vessels is a general word for any kind of container. Here it refers to a boat or raft. Upon the waters is parallel to the phrase “by the sea.”

Go, you swift messengers: Here it is probably the prophet who orders messengers to go. The messengers could be the same as the ambassadors (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), or they could be different (so New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The text is silent about their identity as well as their destination. We expect this kind of vague speech in poetry. Because of it commentators and translations offer different interpretations here. For most it may mean: (1) the Cushite ambassadors are sent back home to Cush from Jerusalem (so Good News Translation), or (2) the Egyptian ambassadors are sent to Cush (so Contemporary English Version). There is no way that we can resolve this problem. See our models below and our recommendation in the introductory comments on this section [18.1-7]. The messengers are described as swift. This adjective was used in 5.26 to describe a nation coming “speedily” to attack Judah.

To a nation, tall and smooth: This is the first of four lines describing the people to whom the messengers are sent. The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered tall is uncertain. It comes from a verb meaning “to draw/drag [along].” Most translations agree on tall as the best rendering since something that is drawn out becomes long. The meaning of the Hebrew word for smooth is also uncertain. It comes from a verb meaning “to be smooth/bald/bare” or “to polish.” This gives two possible translations: “smooth-skinned” (Good News Translation) or “bronzed” (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible), which refers to a deep golden skin color. Although the messengers may be Nubians, there is no indication that the Hebrew word refers to dark skin color. Bible en français courant and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch speak of “gleaming skin.”

To a people feared near and far: This second descriptive line is literally “to a people feared from it and further onward.” The passive verb feared may be made active by rendering this line as “to a people whom others near and far all fear.” Contemporary English Version summarizes the meaning with “feared all over the world.” Bible en français courant has “to those people who are feared from here to the ends of the world.” Translators are free to choose an appropriate idiom in their language.

A nation mighty and conquering: This third descriptive line also has an exegetical problem. Mighty renders an unusual Hebrew word (qaw-qaw). Besides verse 7, this is the only place it occurs in biblical Hebrew. Because of a similar word in Arabic, commentators have suggested that qaw-qaw could refer to something very strong (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation). The alternative suggestion is that the unusual double form describes the sound of a language not understood by the Israelites, so it means “meaningless sounds.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh chooses this interpretation by rendering this line as “A nation of gibber and chatter.” New International Version has “an aggressive nation of strange speech.” Most versions accept that qaw-qaw means “strong.” The nation is also described as conquering (New International Version “aggressive”). The Hebrew is literally “treading down” or “trampling.” For the whole line Bible en français courant has “that powerful nation that tramples its enemies.”

Whose land the rivers divide is the final descriptive line. Its literal meaning is clear, but we do not know what country is in view. It could be Cush/Ethiopia or Egypt with the rivers referring to branches of the Nile River. It is mostly Cush, but translators should not make this explicit. See the introductory comments on this section [18.1-7].

Good News Translation rearranges the last half of this verse, without affecting its meaning substantially. For the translation of this verse we suggest a fairly literal rendering, one that leaves the interpretation open:

• It sends ambassadors by sea in reed boats on the waters.
Go, swift messengers, go to a nation of tall and smooth-skinned people,
to people who spread fear near and far,
to a nation powerful and all conquering,
whose land is cut by rivers.

• It sends messengers by sea, in boats made of reeds, floating/going on the water.
Go, you speedy messengers, to a nation tall and smooth-skinned,
to a people that others near and far are afraid of,
to a strong and conquering nation,
through whose land the rivers flow.

A footnote will be needed to indicate that the meaning of several terms in the Hebrew text is unclear.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .