Isaiah 21 13

Isaiah 21:13 kjv

The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.

Isaiah 21:13 nkjv

The burden against Arabia. In the forest in Arabia you will lodge, O you traveling companies of Dedanites.

Isaiah 21:13 niv

A prophecy against Arabia: You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia,

Isaiah 21:13 esv

The oracle concerning Arabia. In the thickets in Arabia you will lodge, O caravans of Dedanites.

Isaiah 21:13 nlt

This message came to me concerning Arabia: O caravans from Dedan,
hide in the deserts of Arabia.

Isaiah 21 verses

Isaiah 21 13 Meaning

This verse declares a prophetic oracle concerning Dumah. It speaks of a command to a scout or watcher to proclaim that the night journey into the wilderness of Arabia will bring about the fate of the inhabitants of the Dedanites.

Isaiah 21 13 Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle in Isaiah 21 that addresses several nations. Specifically, chapter 21 contains three distinct oracles: one against the desert of the sea (likely Babylon), one against Dumah (Seir, the land of Edom), and one against the(",");. Dumah is identified with the territory of Edom, the descendants of Esau. This oracle follows prophecies concerning the desert of the sea and precedes a prophecy against the people of Dedan. The immediate context is the prophetic vision of a night journey where a watcher cries out concerning the coming judgment upon the people of Dedan, inhabitants of Dumah. Historically, the Edomites and Dedanites were often adversaries of Israel. This prophecy likely served as a warning or a pronouncement of judgment against them for their pride, hostility, and perhaps their participation with other nations against Judah.

Isaiah 21 13 Word analysis

• “The oracle concerning Dumah.”
  • Oracle: (Hebrew: מַשָּׂא, massa’). This term signifies a burden or pronouncement, often a prophetic declaration from God. It can imply a heavy message of judgment.
• “A voice is crying to me from Seir,”
  • Voice: (Hebrew: קוֹל, qol). Refers to a sound or a cry, here a prophetic proclamation.
  • Crying: (Hebrew: קוֹרֵא, qore). Indicates calling out or proclaiming.
  • Me: Refers to the prophet Isaiah, the recipient of the vision.
  • Seir: (Hebrew: שֵׂעִיר, Se'ir). The mountainous region inhabited by Esau and his descendants, Edom. This establishes the geographical and ethnic focus of the oracle.
• “Watcher, Watcher, what of the night?”
  • Watcher: (Hebrew: שׁוֹמֵר, shomer). Refers to a guard, sentinel, or lookout. In a prophetic context, it implies someone actively looking and waiting for events.
  • Watcher, Watcher: The repetition emphasizes the urgency and importance of the message, and the intense observation required. It suggests the prophet is calling out to himself or to other watchful beings, perhaps angels.
  • What of the night?: (Hebrew: מַה־מִן־הַלָּיְלָה, mah-min-halailah). This is a direct question posed by the watcher to another. It probes the duration or the state of the ongoing period of darkness, distress, or enemy occupation, inquiring about the progress of the "night" of judgment.
• “The Watcher says,”
  • Says: (Hebrew: אָמַר, amar). A simple verb of speaking.
• “The morning is coming, but also the night.”
  • Morning: (Hebrew: בֹּקֶר, boqer). Represents hope, relief, and the dawn of a new day, often after darkness.
  • Is coming: (Hebrew: בָּאָה, ba’ah). Indicates arrival or approach.
  • But also the night: This phrase signifies that the relief of the morning will be short-lived or that a subsequent period of darkness will follow. It implies a cycle of judgment and respite, or a prolonged struggle where judgment is still a present reality despite the hope. It might suggest that while divine deliverance is on its way, immediate destruction still affects the land.
• “If you inquire, inquire; come back again.”
  • Inquire: (Hebrew: שָׁאל, sha’al). To ask, to seek counsel or information.
  • Come back again: (Hebrew: שׁוּב, shuv). To return, to turn back. The repetition suggests persistence in seeking understanding, and a call to revisit or re-examine the situation. It's a double command, either to the inquirer to inquire again, or for the watcher to repeatedly seek knowledge.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• “Watcher, Watcher, what of the night?” This exchange highlights the dynamic nature of prophetic revelation. The prophet is presented as someone actively engaged in seeking understanding from a divine source or a heavenly watcher. The "night" is a common biblical metaphor for a period of divine judgment, oppression, or spiritual darkness. The question is about the progression of this judgment: is it ending, or is it continuing?
• “The morning is coming, but also the night.” This is a complex statement. It can imply that relief is indeed approaching for some (a new "morning"), but for the judged (Dedanites in this case), the "night" of destruction is still prevailing. It suggests a layered or simultaneous divine action. It could also foreshadow a future phase where both deliverance and judgment will be distinctly experienced by different groups, or in different timeframes. The coming of "morning" for the people of God often contrasts with the judgment faced by His enemies.
• “If you inquire, inquire; come back again.” This emphasizes the prophet's role as an intercessor or diligent seeker of truth. The repeated imperative to "inquire" and "come back again" underscores the persistence required to fully grasp God’s purposes, even in the face of difficult or paradoxical prophetic pronouncements. It can also be seen as a command to the nations involved to turn back to God and seek His face earnestly.

Isaiah 21 13 Bonus section

The oracle to Dumah is one of three "oracles" in Isaiah chapter 21. The preceding oracle against the desert of the sea is generally understood to be Babylon. The following oracle against the inhabitants of the Arab coast (Dedan) connects geographically and thematically to Dumah (Seir). This proximity links Edom’s judgment with that of surrounding nations who were in opposition to God’s people. The cyclical nature of judgment and relief depicted in "morning but also night" resonates with broader biblical themes where God's wrath is poured out, yet His mercy and ultimate plan for redemption also unfold. The concept of a "watcher" who relays divine messages is a recurring motif in prophecy, highlighting the importance of spiritual perception and communication.

Isaiah 21 13 Commentary

This prophecy to Dumah, identified with Edom, uses striking imagery of a watchman observing the progress of judgment. The duality of "morning" and "night" suggests that while ultimate hope exists, present destruction is severe. The people of Edom were marked by their ongoing animosity toward Israel, often acting as adversaries. This oracle confirms that God's judgment would fall upon them for their actions. The call to the watcher to inquire again emphasizes the prophet's diligent search for understanding God's plan, and the persistent nature of prophetic inquiry. It also conveys a divine perspective that involves both imminent judgment and eventual relief, though the specifics are often layered and complex.