Isaiah 21:8 kjv
And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:
Isaiah 21:8 nkjv
Then he cried, "A lion, my Lord! I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime; I have sat at my post every night.
Isaiah 21:8 niv
And the lookout shouted, "Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post.
Isaiah 21:8 esv
Then he who saw cried out: "Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord, continually by day, and at my post I am stationed whole nights.
Isaiah 21:8 nlt
Then the watchman called out,
"Day after day I have stood on the watchtower, my lord.
Night after night I have remained at my post.
Isaiah 21 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 21:8 | "Then he cried out, 'At my watch-post I stand, O Lord, continually by day, and at my post I keep my watch all night!'" | Isaiah 21:9 (direct quote) |
| Isaiah 21:9 | "Look, here comes a troop of horsemen, horsemen in pairs!' And he answered, 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon!'" | Isaiah 21:9 (continuation) |
| Jeremiah 51:8 | "Suddenly Babylon has fallen and shattered! Woe to her!" | Jeremiah 51:8 (parallel) |
| Revelation 14:8 | "Another angel, a second, followed, saying, 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great.'" | Rev 14:8 (fulfillment/echo) |
| Revelation 18:2 | "And he called out with a mighty voice, 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!'" | Rev 18:2 (fulfillment/echo) |
| Isaiah 47:1 | "Come down and sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon;" | Isaiah 47:1 (judgment on Babylon) |
| Jeremiah 50:2 | "'Declare among the nations and proclaim, set up flags and sound the trumpet; and declare, ‘Let Babylon be captured...'" | Jeremiah 50:2 (judgment decree) |
| Jeremiah 50:15-16 | "...Cry against her from all sides! She has surrendered; her foundations are fallen..." | Jeremiah 50:15-16 (details) |
| Habakkuk 2:8 | "Because you have plundered many nations, all who remain of the peoples shall plunder you..." | Habakkuk 2:8 (consequence) |
| Jeremiah 51:46 | "Let not your heart be alarmed, nor fear the report that is told in the land, for the devastation comes the one year..." | Jeremiah 51:46 (preparation) |
| Isaiah 13:1 | "The oracle concerning Babylon that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw." | Isaiah 13:1 (overall theme) |
| Psalm 37:35-36 | "I have seen a wicked man, violently strong, spreading like a native laurel tree, but he passed, and behold, he was no more..." | Psalm 37:35-36 (example of fall) |
| Isaiah 21:10 | "My threshed and winnowed daughter, what I have heard from the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, I tell you." | Isaiah 21:10 (God's declaration) |
| Revelation 17:5 | "And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF naḥā' and of the abominations of the earth." | Revelation 17:5 (identification) |
| John 16:33 | "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation." | John 16:33 (kingdom context) |
| Romans 8:37 | "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." | Romans 8:37 (victory theme) |
| 1 Corinthians 10:13 | "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful..." | 1 Corinthians 10:13 (endurance) |
| Luke 1:70 | "...as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old..." | Luke 1:70 (prophetic word) |
| Acts 2:17 | "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh...'" | Acts 2:17 (prophecy fulfillment) |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:3 | "And when they say, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them..." | 1 Thess 5:3 (sudden judgment) |
| 2 Peter 3:10 | "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief..." | 2 Peter 3:10 (timing of judgment) |
| Jeremiah 51:30 | "The mighty men of Babylon ceased to fight; they remained in their strongholds." | Jeremiah 51:30 (warfare end) |
Isaiah 21 verses
Isaiah 21 8 Meaning
This verse describes a divine announcement, through a prophet, of a watchman seeing a terrifying vision. The vision involves chariots and horsemen, indicating a military advance. The watchman then declares Babylon has fallen, signifying its utter destruction and the end of its power and influence.
Isaiah 21 8 Context
This verse is part of Isaiah chapter 21, which is a collection of oracles concerning various nations. Specifically, verses 1-10 address the oracle concerning the "Desert by the Sea," understood by many scholars as referring to Babylon or its impending doom. The preceding verses describe a devastating invasion coming against this land. The prophet acts as a watchman, tasked by God to observe and report. This watchman’s duty is to stand alert and proclaim what God reveals, particularly during times of crisis and judgment. The fall of Babylon here is presented as a fulfillment of God's prophetic judgment against this powerful empire, which historically oppressed Israel.
Isaiah 21 8 Word Analysis
וְהִנֵּה (wehinnēh): This Hebrew word is a combination of "wa" (וְ) meaning "and," and "hinnēh" (הִנֵּה), an exclamation of emphasis, meaning "behold," "look," or "here is." It functions to draw the listener's attention forcefully to what follows.
רֶכֶב (reḵeb): This word means "chariot" or "riders." In the context of ancient warfare, chariots were significant military assets, symbolizing power and force.
פָּרָשִׁים (pārāšîm): This is the plural of "pārāš," meaning "horseman" or "rider." It directly points to cavalry, a key component of military might.
רֹכְבֵי (rōḵebê): This is the construct form of the plural for "rōḵeb," meaning "rider." Used here with "already," it forms a possessive phrase, indicating possession or a characteristic.
צָמֶד (ṣāmeḏ): This Hebrew word means "yoke," "pair," or "couple." When used with "riders," it indicates riders mounted in pairs, possibly a reference to specific military formations or types of cavalry.
וַיַּעַן (wayya'an): This is the third-person masculine singular imperfect form of the verb "to answer." It signifies that the watchman is responding to his observation or the word of the LORD.
נָפֹל (nāp̄ōl): This is the infinitive absolute of the verb "to fall," often used for emphasis. It carries the weight of a completed and irreversible action.
בָּבֶל (bāḇel): This is the Hebrew name for Babylon, a significant imperial power in the ancient Near East known for its wealth, power, and often, its cruelty towards conquered nations, including Israel.
נָפְלָה (nāp̄lâ): This is the third-person feminine singular perfect form of the verb "to fall." It directly states that Babylon "has fallen."
בָּבֶל (bāḇel): Again, Babylon is named, emphasizing its demise.
הַגְּדוֹלָה (haggĕdôlâ): This is the definite article combined with the feminine adjective "gadol" meaning "great." It highlights Babylon's immense power and significance.
הוּשַׁמָּה (hûšammâ): This is the third-person feminine singular perfect form of the verb "to be made desolate" or "to be destroyed." It describes the state of utter ruin.
עָצוּ ('āṣû): This is the third-person masculine plural perfect form of the verb "to be strong" or "to be mighty." It indicates the cessation of its strength or might.
Words-Group Analysis
"Here comes a troop of horsemen, horsemen in pairs": This phrase vividly describes an approaching military force. The repetition of "horsemen" and the detail of "in pairs" conveys a sense of an organized, powerful, and overwhelming cavalry presence, signifying a dire threat.
"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has been shattered! destroyed!": This declaration is an absolute pronouncement of judgment. The repetition of "Fallen" and the additional descriptions of being "shattered" and "destroyed" emphasize the totality and finality of Babylon's downfall. The designation "the great" highlights that even this powerful empire is subject to divine judgment.
Isaiah 21 8 Bonus Section
The "watchman" motif is significant throughout Scripture, representing those appointed to observe, warn, and intercede. Prophets often served in this capacity (Ezekiel 3:17). The falling of Babylon in this passage echoes and foreshadows the ultimate judgment of symbolic "Babylon" described in the book of Revelation (chapters 17-18), which represents a system of worldly power, corruption, and opposition to God. The watchman's declaration reveals God's sovereign control over history and His ultimate victory over all human kingdoms and ideologies that stand against Him.
Isaiah 21 8 Commentary
This verse is a powerful prophecy announcing the imminent destruction of Babylon. The watchman, on duty, observes an overwhelming military force, symbolizing God's instruments of judgment. His response is not one of fear for himself but a direct declaration of Babylon's complete ruin. The repetition of "Fallen, fallen" stresses the certainty and totality of its demise. This prophecy extends beyond a single historical event to also encompass a symbolic fall of systems that oppose God and His people. The inclusion of "the great" emphasizes that even the most powerful earthly kingdoms are under God's sovereignty and are subject to His judgment. The finality conveyed in the phrase "She has been shattered! destroyed!" underscores the ultimate consequence for those who defy divine authority and oppress God's people.