Burden of the beasts of the south. Delitzsch thinks that the Egyptians are intended by the "beasts of the south"—the expression pointing primarily to the hippopotamus, which was an apt emblem of the slow-moving Egyptians.
But most commentators regard the "beasts" of this clause as equivalent to the "young asses and camels" mentioned towards the end of the verse. (On the sense of the word "burden," see the introductory paragraph to Isaiah 13:1-22.
) Into the land of trouble and anguish; rather, through a land. It is not Egypt that is spoken of, but the desert between Judaea and Egypt. The reminiscences of this desert were such that the Israelites always exaggerated its terrors and dangers (see Deuteronomy 8:15; Jeremiah 2:6).
From whence come the young and old lion; rather, the lioness and the lion. Lions can never have been numerous in the tract in question; but they may have haunted portions of it, when it was better watered than at present.
The viper and fiery flying serpent. Snakes of various kinds have always been abundant in the desert between Judaea and Egypt. Seine of them were believed anciently to have wings (Herod; 2:75; 3:107); but the fact is doubted.
Isaiah is not concerned with natural history, but with definitely marking out the locality through which the ambassadors would march. For this purpose it was best to describe it in terms drawn from the popular belief.
Their riches … their treasures. Ambassadors who came to request military aid, as a matter of course carried rich presents with them. Young asses … camels. The ordinary beasts of burden employed in the passage of the desert (Genesis 37:25; Genesis 42:26; Herod; Genesis 3:9, etc.
).