And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.
He shall spread forth his hands ... - Yahweh shall spread his hands to strike the foe on this side and on that, with as little effort as a swimmer spreads forth his arms to cleave a passage through the water (Calvin) (Zechariah 5:3). Lowth takes "he" as Moab, who, in danger of sinking, shall strain every nerve to save himself: but Yahweh (and "He") shall cause him to sink ('bring down the pride' of Moab). I prefer the English version (Isaiah 16:6).
Together with the spoils of their hands - literally, the craftily acquired spoils of his (Moab's) hands. Gesenius translates х 'aarªbowt (H698), from 'aarab (H693), to weave or contrive], 'with the stratagems of his hands.' Moab's pride, as well as the sudden gripe of his hands (namely, whereby he tries to save himself from drowning) (Lowth). Compare Balaam's prophecy as to the sceptre out of Israel about to smite Moab (Numbers 24:17). 'Together with the joints of his hands' - i:e., though Moab struggle against Yahweh hand and foot (Maurer). The image thus (which Cocceius and Kimchi approve) would be from a swimmer. But it is Yahweh who is compared to the swimmer striking right and left: not Moab. The English version seems best. God will bring down alike the pride of Moab's heart and the craftily gotten spoils of his hands. The craft and force by which his hands got spoils were the source of the pride of his heart. Both shall be brought down.