All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
Everyone who lives in the world, all people on earth, watch when God raises up a banner on the mountains, and listen when he sounds a trumpet.
The writer is calling all people everywhere to pay attention when God gives his signal - like raising a flag or blowing a trumpet to announce something important.
📚 Historical Context
Isaiah 18 is part of a prophetic oracle in the book of Isaiah, written around the 8th century BC during the Assyrian Empire's expansion, which threatened nations like Judah and Cush (ancient Ethiopia). The verse calls all people to watch for God's signals, such as raising a banner on the mountains or blowing a trumpet, which were common ways to announce war, gatherings, or divine judgment in that era. This reflects the historical turbulence of the time, where empires clashed and prophets like Isaiah warned of God's sovereign involvement in world events.
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