Isaiah21

Isaiah chapter 21 presents three distinct prophetic burdens. The first details a grievous vision concerning the fall of Babylon, declared by a watchman after diligent observation. Next, the burden of Dumah features a watchman's enigmatic reply about morning and night to an inquiry from Seir. Finally, the burden upon Arabia foretells the flight of Dedanim from war and the swift downfall of Kedar's glory within a year.
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The Burden Against Babylon

1
The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. ​
2
A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. ​
3
Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. ​
4
My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.
5
Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. ​

The Watchman's Report

6
For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
7
And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed: ​
8
And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:
9
And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. ​
10
O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you. ​

The Burden Against Dumah (Edom)

11
The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? ​
12
The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come. ​

The Burden Against Arabia

13
The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim. ​
14
The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
15
For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
16
For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: ​
17
And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.

Study Notes for Isaiah 21

Verse 1

The phrase 'desert of the sea' is highly symbolic, likely referring to the Mesopotamian plain where Babylon was located, which was flat like a desert but often flooded by the Euphrates (like a sea). The attack is compared to a swift, terrifying whirlwind from the south.

Verse 2

The 'treacherous dealer' and 'spoiler' refer to Babylon itself, which had oppressed many nations. God declares that He is raising up the Medes and Elamites (nations to the east) to besiege Babylon and bring relief to those who suffer under its tyranny.

Verse 3

Isaiah expresses profound, empathetic distress over the vision of judgment. This motif of the prophet suffering physical pain mirrors the gravity and horror of the divine decree.

Verse 5

This verse dramatically contrasts Babylonian complacency with impending doom. They are feasting ('Prepare the table, eat, drink') while the call to urgent defense ('anoint the shield') is being sounded, illustrating their false sense of security.

Verse 7

The vision of the chariots of 'asses' and 'camels' likely symbolizes the combined, diverse forces of the invading army, specifically the Medo-Persian coalition that eventually overthrew Babylon (539 BC).

Verse 9

The climactic declaration, 'Babylon is fallen, is fallen,' emphasizes the certainty and totality of the destruction. This specific phrase is referenced in the New Testament to describe the ultimate fall of evil systems (Revelation 14:8; 18:2).

Verse 10

Isaiah addresses his own people, Judah, referring to them as 'my threshing.' This indicates that the purpose of this prophecy was to reassure Israel that their suffering (their 'threshing') would end when God judged their oppressors.

Verse 11

Dumah is generally understood to be a reference to Edom, located in the region of Seir. The anxious, repetitive question, 'Watchman, what of the night?' reflects a people fearful of imminent attack or the long duration of their current distress.

Verse 12

The watchman's reply is enigmatic and challenging. It suggests that a brief period of relief ('morning') will be immediately followed by renewed trouble ('also the night'), or perhaps that judgment is cyclical. The final imperative advises them to repent and seek God if they want a clearer answer.

Verse 13

This oracle focuses on the nomadic tribes of Arabia, specifically Dedanim and Kedar. The prophecy depicts these tribes fleeing from an invasion, forced to lodge in the wilderness.

Verse 16

The phrase 'according to the years of an hireling' signifies a precise and unavoidable timeline, emphasizing that the judgment will occur exactly within a year. The 'glory of Kedar,' a powerful and wealthy Arab tribe, will be completely destroyed.

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