The burden; either
1. The prophecy; which if oft called the burden; or rather
2. The burden of riches or treasures, as it is explained in the latter part of the verse. Of the beasts of the south; which is carried upon asses or camels, as it follows, into Egypt, which lay southward from Judea. Into the land of trouble and anguish; into Egypt and Ethiopia or Cush; for both are joined together in this matter, Isa 20, whole land seems to be called a land of trouble and anguish prophetically, because they should distress them, and not help them; as was said of the Assyrians in the like case, 2 Chronicles 28:20, some render it, by or through the land, &c., and understand it of the vast wilderness which lay between Judea and Egypt. But it was more proper and important to speak of the land to which these man and beasts went, than of that through which they were to pass; which it was needless so particularly to describe. Nor was the direct road from Judea to Egypt such a place as is here described. The young and old lion; which may be understood properly, because these and the following creatures did abound, and were very fierce and mischievous, in Egypt and Ethiopia; but withal, seems to design the craft and cruelty of that people, and the danger of their confederacy with them, and the harm which they should have from them. Fiery flying serpent: that there were flying serpents in those parts, is affirmed, not only in Scripture, bout also by Herodotus, Cicero, and Ammianus, and divers other authors. They; the Jews, designed by the same pronoun, they, Isa 30 5, will carry their riches; either,
1. To secure them; or rather,
2. To procure their assistance. Upon the shoulders of young asses; much used there for carrying burdens, as is evident from Genesis 32:15, Genesis 45:23, &c. Upon the bunches; upon the backs, which were strengthened with bunches, by a synecdoche.