Isaiah 21:14 kjv
The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
Isaiah 21:14 nkjv
O inhabitants of the land of Tema, Bring water to him who is thirsty; With their bread they met him who fled.
Isaiah 21:14 niv
bring water for the thirsty; you who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives.
Isaiah 21:14 esv
To the thirsty bring water; meet the fugitive with bread, O inhabitants of the land of Tema.
Isaiah 21:14 nlt
O people of Tema,
bring water to these thirsty people,
food to these weary refugees.
Isaiah 21 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 21:14 | The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to the thirsty. | Isaiah 21:14 (Direct) |
| Genesis 13:1 | And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. | Gen 13:1 (Abram's movement south) |
| Psalm 23:2 | He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the waters of rest. | Ps 23:2 (God as provider of refreshment) |
| Psalm 107:4-5 | They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. | Ps 107:4-5 (Thirst in the wilderness) |
| Jeremiah 51:7 | Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. | Jer 51:7 (Babylon's influence) |
| Jeremiah 50:45 | At the commandment of the LORD they shall take and dash them against the ground. | Jer 50:45 (Lord's judgment on Babylon) |
| Matthew 10:20 | For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. | Matt 10:20 (Spirit's guidance in distress) |
| Mark 13:11 | But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. | Mark 13:11 (Words provided in distress) |
| John 6:35 | And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. | John 6:35 (Jesus as provider of life) |
| John 7:37 | In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. | John 7:37 (Invitation to spiritual refreshment) |
| Revelation 7:16 | They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. | Rev 7:16 (No more thirst in eternal life) |
| Revelation 22:1 | And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. | Rev 22:1 (River of life) |
| Isaiah 19:5 | And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be dried up. | Isa 19:5 (Drought affecting Egypt) |
| Isaiah 21:11-12 | Concerning Dumah. He calleth to me from Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and the night also; if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come. | Isa 21:11-12 (Watchman's report to Seir) |
| Isaiah 21:2 | A grievous vision is declared unto me; yea, a faithful messenger is declared unto me. | Isa 21:2 (Faithful messenger in prophecy) |
| Genesis 18:6 | And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. | Gen 18:16 (Haste in hospitality) |
| Deuteronomy 1:19 | And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mount of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came unto Kadeshbarnea. | Deut 1:19 (Wilderness journey and need) |
| Jeremiah 48:34 | From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as the heifer of three years old: for the waters of Nimrim shall be in desolate places. | Jer 48:34 (Cry of desolation and waters) |
| Nahum 3:14 | Draw thee water for the siege, strengthen thy fortifications, go into clay, make strong the brickkiln. | Nah 3:14 (Preparation for siege) |
| 1 Samuel 30:11-12 | And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him unto David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they gave him water to drink; And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had not eaten any bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights. | 1 Sam 30:11-12 (Water and bread for the weary) |
Isaiah 21 verses
Isaiah 21 14 Meaning
This verse proclaims the arrival of an enemy, the Dedanites, who bring relief by warning the people of Tema about an approaching invader, likely the Babylonians or Elamites. It signifies a shift from immediate threat to strategic preparation through an intelligence report. The verse emphasizes provision for the hunted and fugitive.
Isaiah 21 14 Context
This verse is situated within Isaiah chapter 21, which functions as a collection of prophecies concerning the fall of various nations that oppressed or bordered Israel. The immediate context before verse 14 includes prophecies against Babylon (verses 1-10) and a prophecy concerning Dumah (a symbolic name for Edom or the region of Seir, verses 11-12). Verse 13 shifts to prophecies concerning Arabia, specifically focusing on the regions of Dedan and Tema. This verse provides a specific detail within the prophecy about Arabia. Historically, the Dedanites and Temanites were nomadic tribes of the Arabian desert, known for their caravan routes and hospitality. Tema was a city and a region inhabited by descendants of Ishmael, located in the northwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula, often associated with desert trade routes.
Isaiah 21 14 Word Analysis
אֶל־ (el) - "to", "unto", "towards". A preposition indicating direction or destination.
אֹיְבִ֣ים (’oyvîm) - "enemies". The plural of אֹיֵב (’oyev), meaning adversary, foe. This could refer to the original aggressors that the Dedanites are fleeing from or the impending threat they are warning about.
יָשְׁבֵ֤י (yashvei) - "inhabitants", "dwellers". The construct form of Yasha'b (ישב), meaning to sit, to remain, to inhabit. This denotes the people residing in the land.
אֶ֥רֶץ (’e’retz) - "land", "earth". A common noun referring to territory or the earth in general. Here, it specifies the territory of Tema.
תֵּמָ֖א (Tēmā’) - "Tema". A proper noun, the name of a descendant of Ishmael and the region or city associated with him. Located in northwestern Arabia.
הֵ֚צִיעוּ (he’tziu) - "brought forth", "supplied", "caused to come out". This is the Qal perfect, third person masculine plural of Ya’atz (יָעַץ) which typically means "to advise" or "to consult". However, here it's a rarer usage or possibly a scribal variant for related roots conveying "to provide" or "to help", possibly Yatsa (יָצָא - to go out, bring out) or Atsah (עָצָה - to advise, counsel, which in a broader sense could imply action taken upon counsel). Scholars suggest this specific form is more akin to providing water for the thirsty.
לַצְמֵאִ֖ים (latzme’im) - "to the thirsty". The preposition לְ (le-) meaning "to" or "for", with the participle of Tzama' (צָמָא) meaning "to be thirsty", in the plural form. It describes those in need of water.
Word Group Analysis:
- "The inhabitants of the land of Tema" (אֹיְבִ֣ים יָשְׁבֵ֤י אֶ֥רֶץ תֵּמָ֖א) - Identifies the recipients of the action, the people of Tema. The presence of "enemies" before "inhabitants" is debated; some see it as describing the Dedanites as fleeing from enemies or themselves being adversaries in a larger conflict. Others view it as potentially a textual issue where "Dedan" should precede "Tema" or implying those "habitually resident" who might have once been adversarial but are now presented with a specific action. Given the context of caravan cities and hospitality, the latter interpretation is often favored by commentators viewing the Dedanites as helpful travelers.
Isaiah 21 14 Bonus Section
The verse showcases a humanitarian act within a geopolitical prophecy. The reference to water provision for the thirsty resonates with broader biblical themes of care for the stranger and the needy. The specific tribes mentioned, Dedan and Tema, were significant players in the ancient trade routes across Arabia, making them key points of interaction between different cultures. The provision of water would have been a vital service to travelers on these routes, a practice often imbued with cultural and religious significance. The ambiguity of the word "heTzi'u" (הֵ֚צִיעוּ) points to the dynamic nature of language and the need for careful consideration of context. While most modern translations favor "brought" or "provided," the root's connection to counsel could also imply that the Dedanites' action was also a "counseled" or strategically directed act of assistance.
Isaiah 21 14 Commentary
Isaiah 21:14 presents a moment of respite amidst prophecy. The Dedanites, encountered on the trade routes or settled in their region, actively provide sustenance—water—to those who are thirsty. This is a direct, practical act of kindness. The verse highlights the preparedness and charitable action of the inhabitants of Tema. It's significant that in a context often about divine judgment and conflict, there is also a mention of human compassion and the supply of essential needs for those in distress, often travelers or fugitives. The "enemies" wording might indicate that the Dedanites themselves were being pursued, or that the act of hospitality was a defense against those who might conquer the region. The "bringing water" underscores the value of water in arid lands and the critical role of those who provision it, particularly for those on the run or in hardship. This act can be seen as a reflection of God's own provision and care for His people, even in challenging times.