Isaiah 21:4 kjv
My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.
Isaiah 21:4 nkjv
My heart wavered, fearfulness frightened me; The night for which I longed He turned into fear for me.
Isaiah 21:4 niv
My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me.
Isaiah 21:4 esv
My heart staggers; horror has appalled me; the twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling.
Isaiah 21:4 nlt
My mind reels and my heart races.
I longed for evening to come,
but now I am terrified of the dark.
Isaiah 21 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 21:2 | "A harsh vision is told to me; the treacherous one deals treacherously, and the destroyer destroys." | Similar theme of harsh revelation |
| Jeremiah 23:1 | "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD." | Woe to those who harm God's people |
| Ezekiel 34:2 | "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel..." | Prophecy against corrupt shepherds |
| Nahum 1:15 | "Look! Upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace!" | Contrast: the coming of destruction vs. peace |
| Habakkuk 2:8 | "Because you have plundered many nations, all who remain of the peoples shall plunder you..." | The plundered become plunderers |
| Psalm 5:4 | "For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you." | God's aversion to wickedness |
| Psalm 11:5 | "The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates him who loves violence." | God's judgment on the wicked |
| Proverbs 2:22 | "But the wicked shall be cut off from the land, and the treacherous from it shall be rooted out." | Wickedness leads to destruction |
| Proverbs 17:11 | "Every wicked doer plots evil, and a wicked man hunts for treasure by deceit." | The nature of the wicked |
| Matthew 24:4 | "And Jesus answered them, 'See that no one deceives you.'" | Warning against deception |
| Luke 21:8 | "Jesus said, “Take care that you are not deceived, for many will come in my name..." | Warning against deception |
| Revelation 18:7 | "As she glorified herself and lived sensuously, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning..." | Judgment on corrupt systems |
| Revelation 2:2 | "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with evil..." | Testing and bearing evil |
| Revelation 13:7 | "Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them." | Saints being conquered |
| Psalm 55:15 | "May death stalk upon them; may they go down alive into Sheol..." | Judgment and death to the wicked |
| Amos 5:2 | "Fallen, fallen lies, the virgin Israel; no more will she rise..." | State of judgment |
| Amos 6:8 | "The Lord GOD has sworn by himself," declares the LORD, the God of hosts: “I loathe Jacob’s pride..." | God's hatred of pride and injustice |
| 2 Peter 2:3 | "By greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle..." | False teachers and greed |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:11 | "Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false..." | Strong delusion because of rejection of truth |
Isaiah 21 verses
Isaiah 21 4 Meaning
The verse speaks of a disturbing vision that causes fear and dread to the prophet. Iniquity (or wickedness) is revealed, and the spoiler (one who devastates or plunders) ascends, targeting the devastated enemy. This is a prophecy concerning the judgment of God against those who practice sin.
Isaiah 21 4 Context
Isaiah chapter 21 contains prophecies directed against Babylon. The surrounding verses describe the fall of Babylon and the devastation that will befall its people. Specifically, chapter 21 focuses on visions related to Elam and Media's attack on Babylon. This verse appears to describe the psychological impact of this impending judgment on the prophet. The vision itself is disturbing and causes deep personal distress and terror to Isaiah. It's a stark depiction of God's judgment coming upon a wicked nation, highlighting the thoroughness of the destruction and the distress it causes to those who foresee it.
Isaiah 21 4 Word Analysis
- עֵירוּם (ʿērûm): Nakedness, exposure, perhaps also a nakedness of spiritual vulnerability or being stripped bare.
- אֵימָה (ʾēymâ): Terror, dread, horror. This word emphasizes a profound and paralyzing fear.
- וָיִגַּד (wāyəgad): And it was told, or and it was revealed. This suggests a passive reception of the vision or information.
- אֵילַמָּה (ʾēyləmah): The word here might be a rare occurrence or a variation related to strength or, as context suggests, a specific name or place associated with this revelation of dread. Some interpretations connect it to "fear."
- נִפְרְצָה (niפרּɛthâ): Is breached, is broken through. Implies a sudden and violent incursion or shattering.
- בְּלִיַּעַל (bəliyyaʿal): Worthlessness, wicked, without a master/owner (can imply ungovernable, chaotic, or pertaining to ruin). It strongly denotes wickedness and destruction.
- יַפְרִצֶנּוּ (yapriṣennū): He breaks through it, or he shall break through it. This refers to the "spoiler" or the destructive force.
- וַיֵּצַר (wayyēṣar): And was formed, or was appointed, was drawn out. Can signify a determined plan or a structured approach.
- עָשׁוּק (ʿāshūq): Oppressed, wronged, plundered. Referring to those who are unjustly treated.
- וְהַשֹּׁדֵד (wəhaššōḏēḏ): And the spoiler, the destroyer. The agent of destruction.
- אֶל־בָּז (ʾel-bāz): To the spoil, for plunder. Indicates the objective or result of the spoiler's action.
Words Group Analysis
- "Vision of distress" (עֵירוּם אֵימָה): The combined words paint a picture of a vision that not only reveals but also inflicts dread, emphasizing the terror inherent in the revelation of God's judgment.
- "Treacherous deal treacherously" (implied by context): This speaks of an enemy engaged in deceit and betrayal.
- "the spoiler spoils, the plunderer plunders" (paraphrase): The repetition of the spoiler's action highlights the thoroughness and efficiency of the destruction to come, implying a decisive and complete conquering.
- "He has made his appointed end for the oppressors" (v. 10, contextually linked): This points to a divine ordination of destruction upon those who have practiced oppression. The phrase suggests God's preordained judgment.
Isaiah 21 4 Bonus Section
The profound sense of dread and disorientation experienced by the prophet ("terror took hold of me") is a recurring theme for biblical prophets when confronting visions of God's judgment (e.g., Jeremiah 1:17; Ezekiel 2:9-10). This visceral reaction emphasizes the immense weight and gravity of bearing God's word, especially when it concerns destruction. The term "spoiler" (שֹׁדֵד) is particularly strong, evoking complete devastation and the stripping away of all that is cherished. The parallelism of actions – the spoiler spoils, the plunderer plunders – shows a divine execution that is both thorough and unyielding against a wicked system. The mention of "wickedness" or "iniquity" as that which is revealed points to the root cause of God’s judgment, a response to ongoing sin.
Isaiah 21 4 Commentary
This verse describes a prophetic vision that overwhelms the prophet with terror. The essence of the vision is the revelation of wickedness (iniquity) and the emergence of a powerful force that devastates. The term "spoiler" (הַשֹּׁדֵד) and its action of plundering (אֶל־בָּז) highlight the destructive nature of the impending judgment. It’s a vision of utter ruin brought upon the wicked. The prophet's deep fear is a reaction to understanding God's wrath against sin and the effectiveness of His judgment. The message underscores that iniquity eventually leads to destruction, and God will use agents to execute His justice upon those who oppress and do wrong. The prophecy is a warning, but also a testament to God's sovereign control over history and His commitment to justice.