Isaiah 21 12

Isaiah 21:12 kjv

The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

Isaiah 21:12 nkjv

The watchman said, "The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; Return! Come back!"

Isaiah 21:12 niv

The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again."

Isaiah 21:12 esv

The watchman says: "Morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; come back again."

Isaiah 21:12 nlt

The watchman replies,
"Morning is coming, but night will soon return.
If you wish to ask again, then come back and ask."

Isaiah 21 verses

Isaiah 21 12 Meaning

The watchman is asked to report what he sees in the night. He sees the enemy (likely the Babylonians) approaching like a chariot, heralded by a horseman and a pair of horsemen. The prophet is told to report these two pronouncements: that Babylon has been defeated and its idols have been shattered.

Isaiah 21 12 Context

Isaiah chapter 21 describes a vision of judgment directed at several nations, including Dumah (representing Edom) and Elam, with a significant focus on Babylon. Verse 12 is the conclusion of the prophecy concerning the watchman's report. The historical context is the looming threat of the Babylonian Empire, which would later conquer Judah and exile its people. The prophet is presented as a watchman on a wall, observing and relaying God's pronouncements of doom against enemy nations. This vision likely took place during the Assyrian period, when Babylon was a growing power, or during the Neo-Babylonian Empire's ascendancy, warning of their eventual downfall. The chapter uses the imagery of a nocturnal watch to signify periods of anxiety and the revelation of divine purpose.

Isaiah 21 12 Word Analysis

• וַיִּקְרָא֙ (way·yər·qā’): "and he called out" - indicates a verbal response from the watchman, a direct communication.
• עַל־ (ʿal): "upon" or "about" - signifying the subject of the watchman's declaration.
• מִצַּפֶּ֤ה (miph·phēh): "from the watchtower" or "from the watch" - emphasizes the source of the information, a position of observation and duty.
• מִסֵּ֔פֶר (miph·sēph): "from the watch" or "from the vigil" - further reinforces the theme of sustained observation during a time of vulnerability, likely night.
• אֶל־ (’el): "to" or "unto" - indicates the recipient of the message.
• אֶל־ (’el): "to" or "unto" - used repetitively to signify an additional communication or a dual nature of the response.
• לְמִקְרָֽא־ (lĕ·miq·rā’): "to call out" or "to ask" - referring to the persistent inquiries made by those expecting news.
• קְרֹ֣א (qər·ō‘): "call" or "cry out" - repeated for emphasis on the repeated questions, "What of the night?" (from v.11).
• כִּֽי־ (kî): "for" or "that" - introduces the content of the watchman's message.
• יָבֹ֗א (yā·ḇō‘): "he will come" or "it will come" - points to an impending arrival or event.
• וָ֭בֹ֑א (wā·ḇō‘): "and will come" - conjunction reinforcing the certainty of the arrival.
• אַל־ (’al): "No" or "not" - a strong negation.
• יִתֵּ֔ן (yih·tên): "he will give" or "he will grant" - a direct denial of expectation.

Words/Groups of Words Analysis:

• "Morning has come, but also the night.": This is a paradoxical statement. "Morning has come" suggests relief, the end of a dangerous night, and the dawning of a new era. However, "but also the night" implies that the expected deliverance is not complete, or that the threat is still present in some form, or that a new kind of night (judgment) is about to fall. It could also signify that while one threat is ending, another is beginning. The context of Babylon's fall is positive for Judah, but the immediate cessation of threat might be tempered by other judgments.
• "If you would ask, then ask; come back again.": This implies impatience on the part of the questioners (the people of Dumah or those from Seir) and a willingness by the watchman to provide more information if they are persistent. However, the dual "come back again" suggests that the situation is complex and not easily summarized, or that more divine pronouncements are to come. It can also imply a repeated questioning is required to understand the fullness of God's dealings.

Isaiah 21 12 Bonus Section

The concept of the "watchman" in Isaiah is deeply tied to the prophet's role as a messenger of God, bearing the burden of conveying both warnings and encouragements. This imagery is also found in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:1-7), highlighting the grave responsibility of those who speak God's word. The dual "morning" and "night" can be understood as foreshadowing events where a significant judgment might bring relief to one group while simultaneously initiating a period of judgment or waiting for another. The prophecy of Babylon’s fall, revealed in the following verses, is a key historical event that fulfills the "morning" after a long "night" of oppression for Judah, yet the fall of one empire can lead to the rise of another, or represent a transition in God’s dealings with His people.

Isaiah 21 12 Commentary

The watchman's response in Isaiah 21:12 is not a simple answer. It reflects the complexity of God's judgment and timing. The dawn signifies relief, but the continuation of "night" suggests that complete peace is not yet attained or that new challenges will emerge. The watchman's invitation for further questioning indicates that understanding God's purposes requires diligent seeking and repeated inquiry. This verse speaks to the ongoing nature of God's work, where periods of darkness and light are intertwined, and His plans unfold progressively. The subsequent pronouncements about Babylon's defeat offer clarity, suggesting that the "night" mentioned might be the immediate precursor to the collapse of oppressive powers.