Isaiah 21 17

Isaiah 21:17 kjv

And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.

Isaiah 21:17 nkjv

and the remainder of the number of archers, the mighty men of the people of Kedar, will be diminished; for the LORD God of Israel has spoken it."

Isaiah 21:17 niv

The survivors of the archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few." The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.

Isaiah 21:17 esv

And the remainder of the archers of the mighty men of the sons of Kedar will be few, for the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken."

Isaiah 21:17 nlt

Only a few of its courageous archers will survive. I, the LORD, the God of Israel, have spoken!"

Isaiah 21 verses

Isaiah 21 17 meaning

Isaiah 21:17 proclaims the severe diminution of the Kedarites' military strength, specifically their archers and mighty warriors. Their numbers will be drastically reduced, fulfilling a prophecy spoken by the LORD God of Israel. This signifies divine judgment and the absolute certainty that God's word, once declared, will come to pass, regardless of the perceived power or skill of any nation. It underscores the ultimate sovereignty of God over human and national might.

Isaiah 21 17 Context

Isaiah chapter 21 is part of a series of "oracles" or "burdens" against various nations, presented as divine judgments. Verses 13-17 specifically concern "the oracle concerning Arabia," with a particular focus on the tribes of Dedan and Kedar. These verses depict a prophecy detailing a harsh fate for these nomadic Arabian tribes within "one year, according to the years of a hired hand" (v.16), implying a swift and certain judgment. The chapter opens with an oracle against Babylon, then Edom, and finally Arabia. The prophecy against Kedar and Dedan speaks of their need for water and their fleeing condition (v.14-15), indicating displacement and hardship. Verse 17 concludes this oracle, marking the completion of the divine sentence, affirming that the mighty warriors, particularly the renowned archers of Kedar, would be significantly reduced in number. Historically, the Kedarites were prominent and powerful nomadic tribes in the Arabian Desert, descendants of Ishmael, known for their skill in archery and their rich trade. This prophecy therefore represents a direct challenge to their significant military and economic power, demonstrating God's sovereign control over seemingly impregnable desert nations.

Isaiah 21 17 Word analysis

• וּשְׁאָר (u-sh'ar) - "And the remainder" or "And the rest."
  • Significance: This word emphasizes that even what remains or survives from Kedar's former strength will still be subject to diminution. It suggests a process of reduction, leaving only a fragment that is then further diminished. It's not just a general destruction, but a systematic cutting down.
• מִסְפַּר (mispar) - "of the number."
  • Significance: Highlights quantity and calculable presence. It implies that the reduction will be numerically precise, known and ordained by God. This isn't random attrition but a specified reduction in their countable forces.
• קֶשֶׁת (qeshet) - "of archers" (literally "bow," metonymy for archers or their strength).
  • Significance: The bow was the primary weapon and symbol of power for nomadic desert peoples like Kedar. Their reputation rested on their skill with the bow. Diminishing "the bow" means undermining their most significant military asset and source of pride. Polemic: This directly counters any belief in the invincibility of Kedar's renowned archers.
• גִּבֹּורֵי (gibborē) - "mighty men" or "warriors."
  • Significance: These are the strong, courageous, elite fighters. The judgment targets not just ordinary soldiers, but their very best. It underscores the complete incapacitation of their human military prowess.
• בְנֵי קֵדָר (b'nei Qedar) - "children of Kedar."
  • Significance: Kedar was a well-known tribal confederation descended from Ishmael (Gen 25:13). Their identity and strength as a distinct people group are specified, making the prophecy concrete and undeniable for the original audience. It defines the specific target of the judgment.
• יִמְעָטוּ (yim'atu) - "shall be diminished" or "will become few."
  • Significance: This verb describes the act of becoming less, to dwindle, to be reduced in quantity or number. It implies a significant, measurable reduction from a prior larger state, highlighting a profound loss.
• כִּי (ki) - "for" or "because."
  • Significance: This conjunction introduces the foundational reason and absolute certainty of the prophecy's fulfillment. It links the outcome directly to God's spoken word, leaving no room for doubt.
• יהוה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (YHWH Elohei Yisra'el) - "the LORD God of Israel."
  • Significance: This full divine title is weighty. "YHWH" (the covenant name, emphasizing personal relationship and absolute existence) and "Elohim" (God, signifying creator and judge, transcendent power), combined with "of Israel" (linking Him to His chosen people and covenant), establish Him as the supreme, all-powerful, covenant-keeping God who holds dominion over all nations, not just Israel. His identity provides the ultimate guarantee for the prophecy. Polemic: Counters any polytheistic beliefs in local deities by asserting YHWH's universal authority.
• דִּבֵּר (dibber) - "has spoken it" or "has declared."
  • Significance: This verb indicates a definite, authoritative declaration. The perfect tense (past tense form) implies that the act of speaking is complete and established, and therefore, its outcome is already settled and inevitable from a divine perspective. It confirms the immutability of God's word.

Isaiah 21 17 Bonus section

The judgment on Kedar in Isaiah 21, though seemingly harsh, eventually provides a backdrop for later prophetic hopes in Isaiah. In Isaiah 60:7, Kedar is mentioned among those nations whose flocks will gather and "come up with acceptance on My altar," indicating a future reconciliation and worship of the LORD. This presents a fascinating tension between divine judgment (diminishing Kedar's earthly power) and ultimate redemption (Kedar coming to worship God). It suggests that God's sovereignty, as powerfully demonstrated in their downfall, ultimately serves a redemptive purpose, drawing even foreign nations to acknowledge Him. The precise time-frame ("one year, according to the years of a hired hand" in verse 16) reinforces the imminence and exactness of the prophecy for the original audience, assuring them of God's perfect timing and execution of His plans against all adversaries, solidifying His protective posture over Israel.

Isaiah 21 17 Commentary

Isaiah 21:17 delivers the powerful culmination of the oracle against Kedar, sealing its fate with an unmistakable declaration of divine judgment. The Kedarites, renowned for their martial prowess, particularly their skillful archers and formidable warriors, symbolized strength and self-sufficiency in the desert. Yet, this verse starkly asserts that even the remnant of their forces, specifically their celebrated archers and mighty men, would be profoundly diminished. This isn't a partial loss but a significant, measurable reduction of their military core, dismantling the very foundation of their power and prestige.

The absolute certainty of this event is rooted entirely in the divine source: "for the LORD God of Israel has spoken it." This formula serves as an unshakeable seal of authenticity and inevitability. The specific title, "the LORD God of Israel," emphasizes that the God of the covenant, the One true God, is not confined to the borders of His chosen people but exercises universal sovereignty over all nations and their affairs. His word is not mere utterance but a decree that ensures its own fulfillment. The past tense of "has spoken" underscores the completed and settled nature of the divine decree; what God has declared, in His mind, is already as good as done. This verse illustrates that human strength, military might, or tribal reputation—no matter how impressive—is ultimately no match for the omnipotent word of God. It serves as a reminder that all earthly powers operate under His sovereign control, and when His judgment is pronounced, it will inevitably come to pass.Practical example: When facing an insurmountable problem or a powerful adversary, recalling this verse can affirm that God's will and power are superior to any earthly opposition, reminding believers to trust in His declarations rather than human strength.