Isaiah 21 11

Isaiah 21:11 kjv

The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

Isaiah 21:11 nkjv

The burden against Dumah. He calls to me out of Seir, "Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?"

Isaiah 21:11 niv

A prophecy against Dumah: Someone calls to me from Seir, "Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?"

Isaiah 21:11 esv

The oracle concerning Dumah. One is calling to me from Seir, "Watchman, what time of the night? Watchman, what time of the night?"

Isaiah 21:11 nlt

This message came to me concerning Edom : Someone from Edom keeps calling to me,
"Watchman, how much longer until morning?
When will the night be over?"

Isaiah 21 verses

Isaiah 21 11 meaning

Isaiah 21:11 presents "the burden of Dumah," an enigmatic prophetic utterance directed toward Edom (represented by Seir). It depicts a desperate plea from someone in Seir calling out to a watchman, repeatedly asking, "Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?" This inquiry reflects profound anxiety, uncertainty, and a fervent desire for revelation or insight into the duration or outcome of a period of great darkness, trouble, or distress. It signifies a people awaiting signs of change, fearful of what the darkness holds, and longing for the break of dawn.

Isaiah 21 11 Context

Isaiah 21 forms part of a series of "burdens" (prophecies, oracles of judgment) against foreign nations, spanning chapters 13-23. These oracles were delivered by Isaiah primarily during a period of immense geopolitical upheaval, specifically the late 8th century BC, as the Assyrian Empire was dominant and rising, and Babylon was beginning its ascent. Chapter 21 itself contains three distinct burdens: the "Burden of the Desert of the Sea" (Babylon, 21:1-10), the "Burden of Dumah" (Edom, 21:11-12), and the "Burden of Arabia" (21:13-17). This arrangement highlights the interconnected fate of these nations and the widespread fear and uncertainty prevalent in the region as major powers clashed. The specific historical context for Dumah's plea could be during the Assyrian campaigns (e.g., Sennacherib's campaigns in the early 7th century BC) or in anticipation of Babylonian aggression. Edom (Seir), a perpetual rival and often an oppressor of Israel, would naturally be anxious about the shifting balance of power, fearing for its own security and survival. The brevity of this oracle for Edom, contrasting with the detailed one for Babylon, hints at its immediate and concise nature, likely a specific response to a desperate inquiry from Edomite emissaries.

Isaiah 21 11 Word analysis

• The burden (מַשָּׂא - massā’): This Hebrew term denotes a weighty prophetic utterance, often a message of doom or judgment against a nation. It implies the prophetic message is a heavy load to bear for the prophet, and often a heavy doom for the recipient. Its consistent use in Isaiah (ch. 13-23) signifies God's sovereign hand over all nations, not just Israel.
• of Dumah (דוּמָה - Dûmâ): "Dumah" literally means "silence" or "stillness" in Hebrew. This naming could be an ominous play on words, foreshadowing the desolation and silence that will come upon Edom as a result of divine judgment, even as its people urgently cry out for revelation now. Geographically, it referred to an Edomite or Arabian tribe/region, often associated with the desert areas where Edom was situated.
• He calleth (קֹרֵא - qōrē’): An active participle, "one calling" or "the one who calls." It suggests a persistent, urgent, and probably desperate individual or collective voice, conveying anxiety and an immediate need for answers. The anonymity of the "caller" suggests this is a representative voice of a fearful people.
• to me: Indicates the prophet Isaiah is the recipient of the call, acting as God's mouthpiece or watchman. This underscores the prophet's role as the channel of divine insight.
• out of Seir (שֵׂעִיר - Śēʿîr): The mountainous region synonymous with Edom, descendants of Esau. It highlights the identity of the inquirer, emphasizing the perennial rivalry and relationship between Israel and Edom, and Edom's distinct geographical and national identity.
• Watchman (שֹׁמֵר - šōmēr): A literal watchman stood guard, watching for danger or dawn. Spiritually, a watchman is a prophet, discerning spiritual realities, warning of impending judgment, or announcing God's purposes. The inquirer directs their plea to one presumed to possess insight and foresight.
• what of the night? (מַה-מִלַּיְלָה - mah-milaylâ): Literally, "What from the night?" or "What pertains to the night?" The "night" signifies a period of great trouble, uncertainty, darkness, fear, or divine judgment. The question is a desperate plea for information regarding the duration, nature, or outcome of this difficult period. It's an inquiry for news or revelation from the current oppressive circumstances.
• Watchman, what of the night?: The repetition emphasizes the intense urgency, deep anxiety, and relentless nature of the plea. It reveals a profound longing for any glimmer of hope or understanding amidst pervasive darkness and fear.

Isaiah 21 11 Bonus section

The interplay between "Dumah" (silence) and the desperate "calling" creates a poignant literary tension, perhaps implying that the very people named "Silence" will desperately cry out for an end to the silent, unseen troubles of the night. The inquiry to the "watchman" represents an almost universal human search for meaning and reassurance from a higher authority during times of crisis. Though the immediate reply in the following verse (not analyzed here, Isa 21:12) offers a cryptic "The morning comes, but also the night," it suggests that for those who are not truly watching for God, superficial relief will be fleeting, and deeper darkness will persist or return. This particular burden also serves as a subtle polemic against any Edomite reliance on false gods or their own supposed wisdom, showing that even they are driven to inquire of the God of Israel's prophet when true crisis hits.

Isaiah 21 11 Commentary

The burden of Dumah serves as a stark illustration of human desperation in times of extreme uncertainty. Edom, perpetually steeped in its own pride and often in conflict with God's people, turns to the prophet (Isaiah, God's watchman) in its moment of fear. The "night" symbolizes their profound distress—politically, militarily, or existentially—a period shrouded in danger and without clear vision. The urgent, repeated question "What of the night?" echoes a universal cry for understanding the trajectory of hardship, seeking any sign of relief or an end to the prevailing darkness. This concise oracle encapsulates Edom's profound fear during an age of empire and points to the innate human need to grasp their destiny, even turning to sources they typically oppose. The brevity and the enigmatic question highlight the anxiety itself rather than providing a direct, soothing answer in this verse, underscoring the weight and mystery of divine judgment.