Ethiopia and Egypt [were] her strength
That is, the strength, support, protection, and defence of No,
whether Alexandria, or Thebes, or Memphis: Egypt was, for these
cities were in it, and subject to it; or, if this was a free
city, as some think, yet in alliance with Egypt, and under its
protection; and in like connection it was with Ethiopia, that is,
Arabia, a country that lay near to it; and yet, though it was
strengthened by such powerful neighbours and allies, it was not
secure from the devastation of the enemy: and it [was]
infinite;
or there was "no end" F15; of its strength, or of the number
of its allies, or the forces they were able to bring in its
defence. The Ethiopians were very numerous, as may be learnt from
( 2
Chronicles 14:9 ) and so were the Egyptians, to whom some
interpreters strictly connect this sentence. In the times of
Amasis, as Mela F16 relates, there were twenty thousand
cities inhabited in it; and Josephus F17 says there were in it
seven hundred and fifty myriads of men; as Sethon, king of Egypt,
and Tirhakah, king of Ethiopia, were about this time the allies
of the Jews, in whom they trusted, no doubt they were confederate
together, and so both the strength of this city; see ( Isaiah 36:6 ) (
37:9 ) :
Put and Lubim, were thy helpers;
Put, or the Putim, were the people of the Moors, that dwelt in
Mauritania; and Lubim were the Lybians that bordered on Egypt,
and whose country is sometimes reckoned a part of it. The Jews
F18 say Lybia is Egypt; see ( Acts 2:10 ) these several
people were the confederates of No; and helped them, not only by
their commerce with them, but in time of war assisted them
against their enemies; and yet, though so strengthened by
alliances, were not safe and secure; and therefore Nineveh could
not depend upon such helps and helpers.