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Isaiah 18:3
ESV All you inhabitants of the world, you who dwell on the earth, when a signal is raised on the mountains, look! When a trumpet is blown, hear!
NIV All you people of the world, you who live on the earth, when a banner is raised on the mountains, you will see it, and when a trumpet sounds, you will hear it.
NASB All you who inhabit the world, and live on earth, As soon as a flag is raised on the mountains, you will see it, And as soon as the trumpet is blown, you will hear it.
CSB All you inhabitants of the world and you who live on the earth, when a banner is raised on the mountains, look! When a ram's horn sounds, listen!
NLT All you people of the world, everyone who lives on the earth — when I raise my battle flag on the mountain, look! When I blow the ram’s horn, listen!
KJV 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.

What does Isaiah 18:3 mean?

Isaiah has described swift boats sending ambassadors, or messengers, to faraway people. The picture seems to be of the nations of Ethiopia and Egypt seeking to make alliances to undertake the threat of the powerful Assyrian Empire (Isaiah 18:1–2). Now he calls to everyone in the world. Every nation within reach of Assyria was concerned about the threat to their people and to their allies. Many kings felt the need to prepare for war.

The prophet says to all those nations to look for a signal "raised on the mountains." Trumpets and horns were common indicators of war. Banners or other large flags were also used. Isaiah's readers would be familiar with such signals. In this case, it will be the Lord sending the signal, calling all the nations to play their part when the time is right.

Isaiah will make the final point that the Lord God of Israel is still in control of the world; that power does not belong to the Assyrians. The Assyrians, while strong, do not have a fraction of the might of God. The Lord is the one managing the threat to all nations. He will call them into action at the key moment.
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