Isaiah 21 16

Isaiah 21:16 kjv

For thus hath the LORD said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:

Isaiah 21:16 nkjv

For thus the LORD has said to me: "Within a year, according to the year of a hired man, all the glory of Kedar will fail;

Isaiah 21:16 niv

This is what the Lord says to me: "Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the splendor of Kedar will come to an end.

Isaiah 21:16 esv

For thus the Lord said to me, "Within a year, according to the years of a hired worker, all the glory of Kedar will come to an end.

Isaiah 21:16 nlt

The Lord said to me, "Within a year, counting each day, all the glory of Kedar will come to an end.

Isaiah 21 verses

Isaiah 21 16 meaning

Isaiah 21:16 is a definitive prophetic declaration from the Lord concerning the Arabian tribe of Kedar. It announces a precise and unextendable timeline, "within a year, according to the years of a hired hand," after which all the military strength, wealth, and prestige, which constituted the "glory" of Kedar, would be entirely diminished. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His precise fulfillment of prophetic pronouncements, setting a fixed end to human power and pride when it stands in opposition to His will.

Isaiah 21 16 Context

Isaiah 21 falls within a section of "Oracles concerning the Nations" (Isaiah 13-23). Chapter 21 itself is composed of three distinct prophecies: an oracle concerning Babylon (21:1-10), one concerning Dumah (Edom) (21:11-12), and the final one, "The Oracle Concerning Arabia" (21:13-17), which specifically addresses Kedar and the tribes of Dedan and Tema. This prophecy concerning Kedar (vv. 16-17) is a declaration of impending destruction of their power and prestige.

Historically, Kedar was a prominent and powerful Arabian tribal confederation, descendants of Ishmael, known for their skill in archery, extensive flocks of sheep and camels, and their tent-dwelling, nomadic lifestyle across the deserts east of Israel. They controlled important trade routes and were a formidable force in the region, often involved in conflicts with or paying tribute to major empires like Assyria. The prophecy is set during a time when Assyria was a dominant imperial power, and their campaigns frequently impacted these Arabian tribes. The message from the Lord to Isaiah served as a divine explanation and foretelling of events that would severely weaken or defeat Kedar within a precise, limited timeframe, confirming God's sovereign oversight of geopolitical developments.

Isaiah 21 16 Word analysis

• For thus has the Lord said to me: The Hebrew "Kî koh ʼāmar Adonāy ʼēlay" is a standard prophetic formula. "Kî" (for/because) introduces the reason for the preceding statements (in this case, the impending desolation mentioned in 21:13-15), confirming the divine origin of the oracle. "Koh ʼāmar Adonāy" (Thus says the Lord) asserts absolute divine authority, underscoring the certainty and unchangeableness of the pronouncement. The prophet Isaiah is merely the recipient and messenger of God's direct word, removing any doubt about the message's source.
• 'Within a year, The Hebrew "Bəʻôd šānāh" translates literally to "yet a year," indicating a specific and exact time period of one full year. This is not an approximation but a precise deadline. It denotes immediacy and certainty for the prophecy's fulfillment.
• according to the years of a hired hand, The Hebrew "Kəšinē śāḵîr" is a crucial explanatory phrase. A "śāḵîr" (hired hand/laborer) works for a precisely stipulated duration, typically a year (as per ancient Near Eastern custom and Mosaic law, e.g., Deut 15:18). At the end of that specific term, their service, and payment, conclude without extension. This analogy emphasizes that the appointed year is a strict and unchangeable limit; there will be no delay or deferment in the prophecy's fulfillment regarding Kedar. It underscores the definite finality of the declared period.
• all the glory The Hebrew "Kōl kəvôd." "Kōl" means "all," indicating totality. "Kəvôd" (glory/honor) here refers comprehensively to Kedar's wealth (especially its vast flocks and camels, key to desert economy), military might (their famed archers and warriors), prestige, reputation, and everything that constitutes their perceived power and splendor among other tribes and nations. This "glory" was the source of their strength and influence.
• of Kedar "Qēḏār" is a prominent Arab tribe, one of the sons of Ishmael (Gen 25:13). Their name, possibly meaning "dark" or "black," likely referenced their black tents made of goat hair (Song of Sol 1:5, Ps 120:5) or the complexion of their people. They were a significant, fierce nomadic group known for their archery (Isa 21:17, 42:11) and wealth from livestock and trade, residing in the desert regions east of Israel.
• will come to an end.' The Hebrew "Tikleh" (from "kālâh") means to be completed, consumed, utterly spent, finished, or perish. It implies a thorough cessation and collapse of their existing state of power and prestige, a complete loss of their "glory." It's not a temporary setback but an definitive ending to their dominant standing.

• "For thus has the Lord said to me...": This group of words powerfully introduces the prophetic message, stressing its divine origin and irrefutable authority. It situates Isaiah as a direct recipient of Yahweh's revelation, lending immense weight and certainty to the pronouncement that follows.
• "Within a year, according to the years of a hired hand...": This phrase establishes a timeline that is not only specific (one year) but also metaphorically enforced by a cultural reference that implies absolute precision and no extension. The comparison to a "hired hand" makes the period's fixed boundary unambiguous to the original audience, removing any possibility of ambiguity or deferral in the Lord's decree.
• "...all the glory of Kedar will come to an end.": This combination declares the comprehensive destruction of Kedar's power and eminence. "All" emphasizes the totality of the loss, affecting every aspect of their 'glory,' from economic wealth to military prowess. "Come to an end" signals a decisive, complete cessation of their dominant status, directly linking their impending ruin to the precise divine deadline.

Isaiah 21 16 Bonus section

The "Oracle concerning Arabia" (Isa 21:13-17) can be connected to the broader theme in Isaiah of God's universal sovereignty. While specific to Kedar, the prophecy contributes to Isaiah's consistent message that no nation, however strong or distant, is outside of Yahweh's reach or accountability. The meticulousness of the timeframe ("a year... of a hired hand") underscores a key aspect of biblical prophecy: not just that God will act, but that He acts with deliberate, precise timing. This contrasts sharply with the uncertainty of human events or the perceived strength of Kedar's self-reliance. The judgment on Kedar serves as a type for all nations that might presume upon their power or resources, illustrating that the only lasting security is found in God's eternal plans, not in temporal glory. The historical fulfillment through Assyrian military action demonstrates how God uses earthly powers, often unknowingly, as instruments to bring His word to pass.

Isaiah 21 16 Commentary

Isaiah 21:16 delivers a pointed prophecy of judgment against Kedar, a major Arabian tribal confederation. The pronouncement begins with the firm "thus says the Lord," asserting divine authorship and undeniable certainty. The prophecy sets an exact, unextendable deadline: "within a year, according to the years of a hired hand." This imagery, deeply rooted in the socio-economic practices of the ancient Near East where labor contracts were precise, conveys that this year is a fixed, final term. Beyond this stipulated time, Kedar's prominence—their "glory," encompassing their wealth, military strength, and reputation—will be utterly diminished. This prophecy serves as a stark reminder that even formidable human powers operate under the sovereign timeline and ultimate judgment of God, highlighting the transient nature of worldly splendor compared to the enduring word of the Almighty. The fulfillment of this prophecy likely occurred through Assyrian campaigns (e.g., Sargon II's campaigns around 715 BCE or later, against Arabian tribes), which effectively plundered Kedar's resources and broke their power, thereby manifesting God's precise word.