32:18 to the world below. The prophet describes the descent of Egypt into the underworld. The proud empire becomes just one more among the many states that preceded her (Assyria, v. 22; Elam, v. 24; Meshech and Tubal, v. 26; Edom, v. 29; Sidon and “the princes of the north,” v. 30). The underworld (“Sheol” or “the grave”) was commonly portrayed as a vast burial chamber where the dead had a shadowy and joyless existence. See note Is. 14:9–11; also Gen. 37:35; Job 3:17–19; 7:9; 10:20–22; 17:13–16; Ps. 88:5, 11; 115:17; Prov. 1:12; 9:18; Eccl. 9:10; Is. 5:14; 38:18; Hab. 2:5.