The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence [come] the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people [that] shall not profit [them].
Ver. 6. The burden,] i.e., The gifts and presents wherewith the Hebrews' beasts were laden to carry southward, to hire help from Egypt. A man's gift maketh room for him. Pro 18:11 Philip was wont to say, that he doubted not of taking any town or tower, if he could but thrust into it an ass laden with gold. But these Jewish ambassadors lost both their labour and their treasures, carried upon the shoulders of many young asses, and upon the bunches of camels, to a very great quantity. See what a present was sent to a poor prophet, even of every good thing of Damascus forty camels' burden, 2Ki 8:9 and guess by that what a deal of wealth went now to Egypt to procure help.
Into the land of trouble and anguish.] That great and terrible wilderness of Arabia, wherein were "fiery serpents and scorpions," Deu 8:15 and other fell creatures not a few. Through that "waste howling desert" Deu 32:10 that lay between Judea and Egypt, travelled these beasts with their burdens; but all was labour in vain, and cost cast away, because God was not of the counsel.