Isaiah 30:6

“The burden of the beasts of the south, &c.] Some think this begins a new prophecy, and this the name and inscription of it. The Septuagint version is, “the vision of the four footed beasts in the wilderness;” and Kimchi’s note is, “this prophecy, which he prophesied, that the beasts of the south should go out, meaning the beasts of the wilderness, and devour those that went to seek help from Egypt;” but it respects the same thing as before, as appears by what follows; namely, the messengers going down to Egypt, which lay south of Judea, as Jarchi and Kimchi, Ben Melech and Abarbinel, observe, with beasts carrying riches thither, either for safety, or to obtain help from them: into a land of…”

“burden--the prophecy as to, &c. [MAURER]; so the Septuagint, the fresh inscription here marks emphatically the prediction that follows. Or, rather, Isaiah sees in vision, the ambassador's beasts burdened with rich presents travelling southwards (namely, to Egypt, Dan 11:5-6), and exclaims, Oh, the burden of treasure on the beasts! &c. (Hos 8:9; Hos 12:1). land of trouble--the desert between Palestine and Egypt, destitute of water and abounding in dangerous animals (Deu 8:15; Jer 2:6). flying serpent-- (Isa 14:29), a species which springs like a dart from trees, on its prey. will carry--rather, present, "carry," namely, as presents to Egypt (Kg1 15:19). young asses--rather, "full-grown asses"…”

“The burden - The treasures, which were carried upon asses or camels, into Egypt, which lay southward from Judea. The land of trouble - Egypt, so called prophetically. From whence - This may be understood properly, but withal, seems to design the craft and cruelty of that people. They - The Jews. Their riches - To procure their assistance. Bunches - Upon the backs. Isaiah 30:7”

“30:6-7 This taunt was against those who were busy trying to please the Egyptians in order to get Egypt’s military support. 30:6 Caravans moved from Judah through the Negev and the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt to avoid the main coast road that was under Assyrian control. It was a dangerous region, filled with lions and poisonous snakes. People would risk their lives to make a worthless alliance. • Being weighed down with riches might refer to money being sent to Egypt to buy that nation’s help.”

“burden: Isa 46:1, Isa 46:2, Isa 57:9; Hos 8:9, Hos 8:10, Hos 12:1 beasts: Kg1 10:2; Mat 12:42 into the land: Or, as Bp. Lowth renders, "through a land of distress and difficulty:" the same deserts are here spoken of which the Israelites passed through. Isa 19:4; Exo 1:14, Exo 5:10-21; Deu 4:20, Deu 8:15, Deu 17:16; Jer 11:4 the viper: Num 21:6, Num 21:7; Deu 8:15; Jer 2:6 riches: Ch2 9:1, Ch2 16:2, Ch2 28:20-23 Isaiah 30:7”

“The prophet's address is hardly commenced, however, when a heading is introduced of the very same kind as we have already met with several times in the cycle of prophecies against the heathen nations. Gesenius, Hitzig, Umbreit, and Knobel, rid themselves of it by pronouncing it a gloss founded upon a misunderstanding. But nothing is more genuine in the whole book of Isaiah than the words massâ' bahămōth negebh . The heading is emblematical, like the four headings in chapters 21, 22. And the massâ' embraces Isa 30:6, Isa 30:7. Then follows the command to write it on a table by itself. The heading is an integral part of the smaller whole. Isaiah breaks off his address to communicate an…”