King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, [and] anoint the shield.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They set the table, light the lamps, eat and drink - "Get going, princes! Oil the shields!"
Berean Standard Bible:
They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields!
American Standard Version:
They prepare the table, they set the watch, they eat, they drink: rise up, ye princes, anoint the shield.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Prepare{H6186} the table{H7979}, watch{H6822} in the watchtower{H6844}, eat{H398}, drink{H8354}: arise{H6965}, ye princes{H8269}, and anoint{H4886} the shield{H4043}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 51:57
- And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise [men], her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name [is] the LORD of hosts.
Jeremiah 51:39
- In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 51:11
- Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device [is] against Babylon, to destroy it; because it [is] the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
1 Corinthians 15:32
- If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
Daniel 5:1
- ¶ Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
Daniel 5:5
- In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Isaiah 13:2
- Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Isaiah 21:5
Isaiah 21:5 is part of a larger prophetic oracle found in Isaiah 21:1-10, which is set within the context of the Book of Isaiah, a collection of prophecies attributed to the prophet Isaiah, who lived in the 8th century BCE. This particular verse captures a vivid command to the people of Judah, likely during a time of impending threat from foreign invaders.
The verse itself, "Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, [and] anoint the shield," can be broken down into several imperatives that convey a sense of urgency and preparation for battle. The command to "prepare the table" and "eat, drink" may refer to a final meal before the chaos of war, suggesting a moment of respite and fortification before the impending conflict. The instruction to "watch in the watchtower" implies vigilance, as watchtowers were used to observe the surroundings for any signs of danger or enemy approach. Lastly, the call for the princes to "arise" and "anoint the shield" is a directive to the leaders and warriors to ready themselves for battle, with the anointing of the shield possibly symbolizing both a ceremonial act of consecration for war and a practical measure to maintain the shield's leather.
Historically, this verse may reflect the geopolitical tensions of the time, particularly the threat posed by the Assyrian Empire, which was known for its military prowess and expansionist campaigns. The oracle serves as a warning and a call to action, emphasizing the need for readiness, both spiritually and militarily, in the face of foreign aggression. It encapsulates themes of divine judgment, national security, and the imperative for leadership and courage in times of crisis. The verse also resonates with the broader motifs in Isaiah, which include the sovereignty of God over the nations, the call to trust in God's protection, and the consequences of turning away from God's guidance.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6186
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָרַךְ
Transliteration: ʻârak
Pronunciation: aw-rak'
Description: a primitive root; to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications); put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem, estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle), ordain, (lay, put, reckon up, set) (in) order, prepare, tax, value. - Strong's Number: H7979
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֻׁלְחָן
Transliteration: shulchân
Pronunciation: shool-khawn'
Description: from שָׁלַח; a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal; table. - Strong's Number: H6822
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָפָה
Transliteration: tsâphâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-faw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await; behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the) watch(-man). - Strong's Number: H6844
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָפִית
Transliteration: tsâphîyth
Pronunciation: tsaw-feeth'
Description: from צָפָה; a sentry; watchtower. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H8354
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁתָה
Transliteration: shâthâh
Pronunciation: shaw-thaw'
Description: a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively); [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of שָׁקָה.) - Strong's Number: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H8269
There are 368 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׂר
Transliteration: sar
Pronunciation: sar
Description: from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. - Strong's Number: H4886
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָשַׁח
Transliteration: mâshach
Pronunciation: maw-shakh'
Description: a primitive root; to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint; anoint, paint. - Strong's Number: H4043
There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָגֵן
Transliteration: mâgên
Pronunciation: maw-gane'
Description: also (in plural) feminine מְגִנָּה; from גָּנַן; a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile; [idiom] armed, buckler, defence, ruler, [phrase] scale, shield.