Isaiah 2:16 - Exposition

All the ships of Tarshish. "Ships of Tarshish" meant originally "ships built to sail to Tarshish;" but was used by the later writers for ships of a certain class or size ( 1 Kings 22:48 ; Psalms 48:7 ; Ezekiel 27:25 ). Tarshish was Tartessus, in Spain, and voyages thither were regarded as long and dangerous (Herod; 1.163). Consequently, the ships which were built for the Tartessian trade were of unusual size and strength. Uzziah had "built [ i.e. rebuilt] Elath," in the eastern arm of the Red Sea, early in his reign ( 2 Kings 14:22 ), and no doubt maintained a fleet there, as Jehoshaphat had done ( 1 Kings 22:48 ). Elath remained in the possession of the Jews till the reign of Ahaz, when it was taken by Rezin, and restored to Edom (see 'Speaker's Commentary' on 2 Kings 16:6 ). Upon all pleasant pictures ; Revised Version, all pleasant imagery . The exact word hero translated "pictures" does not occur elsewhere in the Old Testament; but a cognate word is not uncommon. From the passages in which this cognate word occurs (especially Le Isaiah 26:1 ; Numbers 33:52 ; Proverbs 25:11 ; Ezekiel 8:12 ), it is concluded that works of art, of some sort or other, are intended. More than this can scarcely be determined. Dr. Kay thinks the term to include "sculptures and fresco-paintings." Mr. Cheyne translates "all delightful works of imagery." The sentiment is that the judgment of God will fall on the most valued contents of palaces and grand houses, no less than upon the forests and the mountains, the fortified places, and the national navy. All wilt be involved in one sweeping destruction.