Isaiah 21:2

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.

A grievous {H7186} vision {H2380} is declared {H5046} unto me; the treacherous dealer {H898} dealeth treacherously {H898}, and the spoiler {H7703} spoileth {H7703}. Go up {H5927}, O Elam {H5867}: besiege {H6696}, O Media {H4074}; all the sighing {H585} thereof have I made to cease {H7673}.

A dire vision has been shown to me: the betrayer betrays, and the spoiler spoils. 'Eilam, advance! Madai, lay siege! I will end all groaning.

A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”

A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous man dealeth treacherously, and the destroyer destroyeth. Go up, O Elam; besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

Isaiah 21:2 opens with the prophet Isaiah describing a profound and troubling revelation from God: "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." This verse is a powerful declaration of divine judgment and impending historical shifts.

Context

This verse is part of the "burden of the desert of the sea" (Isaiah 21:1), a prophetic oracle primarily directed against ancient Babylon. Isaiah's prophecies often include pronouncements against various nations, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all kingdoms, not just Israel. Historically, Babylon had risen to become a dominant and oppressive power, known for its brutal conquests and treachery. This prophecy looks forward to Babylon's eventual downfall, not by internal collapse, but by the rise of a new power: the Medo-Persian Empire. The mention of "Elam" and "Media" specifically points to the forces that would ultimately conquer Babylon, fulfilling this divine decree, as recorded in Daniel 5:30-31 when King Belshazzar's kingdom was given to the Medes and Persians.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse vividly portrays God's active involvement in human history, orchestrating the rise and fall of empires. It emphasizes that even powerful nations like Babylon are subject to His ultimate authority and judgment. This theme is echoed in Daniel 2:21, which states God "removeth kings, and setteth up kings."
  • Justice for the Oppressed: The "sighing thereof have I made to cease" highlights God's compassion for those who suffer under tyrannical rule. Babylon's treachery and spoiling had caused immense suffering, and God promises to bring an end to that oppression, bringing relief to the afflicted. This reflects God's consistent character as a deliverer, as seen in Exodus 3:7.
  • Prophetic Certainty: Isaiah's detailed prediction of Elam and Media's role in Babylon's overthrow, centuries before it happened, underscores the reliability and precision of biblical prophecy. It assures the audience that God's word will always come to pass.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "grievous vision" translates from the Hebrew word massa (מַשָּׂא), which often means "burden" or "oracle." It signifies a heavy, weighty message, indicating the seriousness and solemnity of the prophecy Isaiah received. The descriptions "treacherous dealer" (בֹּגֵד, boged) and "spoiler" (שׁוֹדֵד, shoded) are strong, evocative terms characterizing Babylon's brutal and deceitful nature towards other nations, justifying the impending divine retribution.

Practical Application

Isaiah 21:2 offers timeless truths for believers today. It reminds us that no earthly power, however mighty or oppressive, is beyond God's reach or judgment. For those facing injustice or oppression, this verse provides a profound source of hope: God sees, hears, and will ultimately act to bring justice and relief, fulfilling His promise to make "all the sighing thereof... cease." It also serves as a warning against pride, treachery, and the abuse of power, affirming that God holds all accountable for their actions and that His plan for justice will prevail.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 49:34

    ¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,

  • Isaiah 33:1

    ¶ Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou [wast] not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; [and] when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

  • Isaiah 24:16

    ¶ From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, [even] glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.

  • Psalms 60:3

    Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

  • Daniel 5:28

    PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

  • Revelation 13:10

    He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

  • Isaiah 13:17

    Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and [as for] gold, they shall not delight in it.

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