In my post on Hezekiah and the Assyrian Crisis, I wrote that at the occasion of the Ashdod rebellion, when Egypt, Judah, and several Philistines cities conspired to revolt against Assyrian imperialism, the king of Egypt sent ambassadors to Hezekiah to invite him to join in their rebellion against Sargon, king of Assyria.

According to the prophet Isaiah, the messengers from Egypt came “in vessels of papyrus” (Isaiah 18:2). Egyptian papyrus was a plant which grew on the banks of the Nile, and from which the word “paper”originated.

Papyrus roots were used as firewood and for making various utensils, objects, and even paper. The papyrus plant was also used to make boxes, chests, and boats. In addition, papyrus was used in the manufacture of sails, mats, clothes, bedding, and ropes.

Click here to see a vessel of papyrus.

NOTE: The Original video attached to this post has been deleted by the original source.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary