Isaiah 21 9

Isaiah 21:9 kjv

And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

Isaiah 21:9 nkjv

And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!" Then he answered and said, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground."

Isaiah 21:9 niv

Look, here comes a man in a chariot with a team of horses. And he gives back the answer: 'Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!'?"

Isaiah 21:9 esv

And behold, here come riders, horsemen in pairs!" And he answered, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground."

Isaiah 21:9 nlt

Now at last ? look!
Here comes a man in a chariot
with a pair of horses!"
Then the watchman said,
"Babylon is fallen, fallen!
All the idols of Babylon
lie broken on the ground!"

Isaiah 21 verses

Isaiah 21 9 Meaning

This verse prophesies the fall of Babylon. It declares that after Babylon is attacked and falls, a watchman sees the destruction and announces its impending doom. The response of the watchman reveals that the "mighty men" of Babylon have been defeated.

Isaiah 21 9 Context

Isaiah chapter 21 contains a series of prophecies concerning the judgment of several nations, including Babylon. This specific verse, Isaiah 21:9, falls within the "oracles" concerning Babylon, revealing a vision given to Isaiah by God. Historically, Babylon was a formidable empire that interacted with and often oppressed the people of Israel. This prophecy would have been highly significant to the original audience, offering hope of liberation from Babylonian dominance and a divine confirmation of justice against their oppressor. The verse itself presents a dialogue between a watchman and an announcer, depicting the aftermath of a military defeat.

Isaiah 21 9 Word Analysis

• Then (כֵּן - ken):

  • Meaning: Thus, so, therefore, then.
  • Significance: Connects the announcement to preceding events or pronouncements, indicating the consequence or fulfillment of what was stated before.

• he (הוּא - hu):

  • Meaning: He, it.
  • Significance: Refers to the watchman mentioned in the previous verse.

• saw (רָאָה - ra'ah):

  • Meaning: To see, behold, look at, perceive.
  • Significance: Implies not just physical sight but also a divinely given perception or revelation. It’s a prophetic seeing.

• a company (רֶ֣כֶב - rekeb) / a troop of horsemen (וּפָרָשִׁ֗ים - u-parashim) / a troop of horsemen (צֶ֤מֶד וּפָרָשִׁים֙ - tsemmed u-parashim):

  • Meaning:
    • רֶ֣כֶב (rekeb): Chariots, riders, cavalry.
    • פָרָשִׁ֗ים (parashim): Horsemen, riders.
    • צֶ֤מֶד (tsemmed): A pair, yoke, band, troop.
  • Significance: The Hebrew phrasing emphasizes cavalry, chariots, and troops of horsemen – the military might and key offensive power of ancient armies. The mention of "a pair and horsemen" might suggest the organized units or even individual pairings of riders and their horses as central to their fighting force. This highlights the collapse of their military strength.

• riding (רֹכֵב - rokeb):

  • Meaning: Riding, rider.
  • Significance: Directly speaks to the mounted warriors, the elite of the Babylonian army.

• a company (אִגְּדָת־ - 'iggedat-):

  • Meaning: A company, band, troops.
  • Significance: Indicates organized military units, signifying that significant forces are involved in the attack and its aftermath.

• came (בָּ֣א - ba'):

  • Meaning: Came, enter, arrive.
  • Significance: Marks the arrival of the divine judgment or the perpetrators of the judgment against Babylon.

• a troop (אֲגֻדָּ֥ה - 'aguddah):

  • Meaning: A band, troop, company, flock.
  • Significance: Similar to 'iggedat, further emphasizing the organized nature of the forces attacking or observing the fall.

• of camel riders (פַּרְדֵּ֣י־ גְמַלִּ֗ים - pardei-gemalim) / riders of camels (כִּרְכְּרֹ֥ות־ לָא֫וּשׁ - kirkerot-la'ush):

  • Meaning:
    • פַּרְדֵּ֣י (pardei): Possibly an intensive form or plural of rider, specifically skilled riders.
    • גְמַלִּ֗ים (gemalim): Camels.
    • כִּרְכְּרֹ֥ות (kirkerot): Chariots, wagons (or possibly referring to specific types of mounted transport like camel litters). Some translations render this as swift riders or cavalry.
    • לָא֫וּשׁ (la'ush): Possibly 'prey', 'plunder', or referencing the plunder taken. Or it might describe the speed of movement. The precise meaning is debated among scholars, but it consistently points to the effectiveness of the invaders.
  • Significance: The use of "camel riders" suggests a different, perhaps more nomadic or specialized force involved in the conquest or aftermath, adding variety to the attackers and highlighting the totality of the defeat by showing the subjugation of various military strengths. This may allude to specific groups within the Medo-Persian forces like Arab auxiliaries or Elamites who were known for their camel-mounted units.

• he answered (יַעֲנֶה֙ - ya'aneh):

  • Meaning: He answered, replied.
  • Significance: Denotes a communication from the watchman, a proclamation of the revealed situation.

• and said (וַיֹּ֥אמֶר - wa-yomer):

  • Meaning: And he said.
  • Significance: A standard narrative connector.

• If (אִם־ - 'im):

  • Meaning: If.
  • Significance: Introduces a conditional statement or a supposition that leads to the main declaration.

• he (הוּא - hu):

  • Meaning: He.
  • Significance: Refers to the watchman.

• sees (יִרְאֶ֣ה - yir'eh):

  • Meaning: Sees, beholds.
  • Significance: A repeated emphasis on vision and prophetic sight.

• a troop (אֲגֻדָּ֔ה - 'aguddah):

  • Meaning: A troop, band, company.
  • Significance: Repetition for emphasis on the components of the enemy's forces being observed.

• of horsemen (פָּרָשִׁ֖ים - parashim):

  • Meaning: Horsemen, riders.
  • Significance: Specifically mentioning horsemen indicates the observation of a disciplined and effective cavalry unit.

• in pairs (בִּשְׁנַ֣יִם - bishnayim):

  • Meaning: In twos, in pairs.
  • Significance: This could refer to paired riders, pairs of horses, or even specific tactics of cavalry. It suggests a well-organized and tactical engagement rather than a chaotic melee, but within that order, their defeat is confirmed.

• riders on camels (רֹכְבֵ֣י גְמַלִּ֗ים - rokhvei gemalim):

  • Meaning: Riders of camels.
  • Significance: Again, specifying camel riders reinforces the diverse nature of the invading force that has overcome Babylon's strength.

• a troop (אֲגֻדָּ֑ה - 'aguddah):

  • Meaning: A troop, band, company.
  • Significance: Further confirmation that a significant and composed force has overcome Babylon.

• of camel riders (אִגְּדַ֤ת־ גְמַלִּים֙ - 'iggedat-gemalim):

  • Meaning: Company of camel riders.
  • Significance: Underscores the comprehensive defeat of Babylon's defenses by various military elements.

• words-group by words-group analysis

  • "Then he saw a company of horsemen, troop upon troop": This phrase emphasizes the visual confirmation of a vast and organized enemy force entering the scene or the defeated city. It conveys the sheer scale and tactical arrangement of the victors.
  • "and answered, ‘He sees a troop of horsemen in pairs, riders on camels, a troop of camel riders.’": The watchman's detailed response confirms that the "company" of horsemen seen is indeed composed of specific, discernible units: pairs of horsemen and specialized camel cavalry. This detailed sighting signifies the total victory and the components of the force that achieved it. The redundancy in the latter part ("a troop of camel riders") reinforces the emphasis on this specific, yet significant, component of the conquering army.

Isaiah 21 9 Bonus Section

The specific mention of "camel riders" might allude to certain historical contingents within the Median or Persian armies, who often incorporated specialized units for various terrains and fighting styles. The Hebrew terms used for the horsemen and camel riders convey a sense of organized, effective military units, suggesting a sophisticated conquering force. The dialogue format between the watchman and the announcer mirrors similar prophetic visions found elsewhere in Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets, creating a dramatic narrative of judgment and deliverance. This imagery of different troop types, like horsemen and camel riders, underscores the comprehensive nature of Babylon's downfall. The precise number or configuration (e.g., "in pairs") might carry symbolic weight related to covenant or order within the invading force, or simply describe effective tactical formations.

Isaiah 21 9 Commentary

The verse vividly depicts the collapse of Babylonian military power through the eyes of a watchman. The detailed sightings of various cavalry units—horsemen in pairs and camel riders in troops—represent the thoroughness of Babylon's defeat. The watchman’s prophetic insight allows him to discern the composition of the victorious army. This foretells not just a military conquest but a complete overthrow of Babylon’s perceived invincibility. The verse serves as a direct announcement of Babylon’s fall and the dismantling of its once-feared military. It highlights that divine judgment impacts earthly powers by undermining their might and organization. The efficiency of the attacking forces, composed of diverse specialized units, signifies the completeness of the victory.