Isaiah 21:1-17 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

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Bible Comments

In this chapter we have prophecies concerning Babylon, Dumah, and Arabia. With regard to Babylon, the prophet has seen the vision of the whirlwind sweeping against it, and so terrible is it that he is filled with horror. Babylon, all unconscious, is described as given over to carousal. The prophet at the command of Jehovah has been on the watch tower and has now seen the foe coming against Babylon. He makes this the occasion of warning to his own people.

Very brief but very forceful is the burden of Dumah. The prophet has heard some inquiring voice demanding the hour of the night. In briefest words he answers, declaring that he sees morning and night, and inviting further inquiry.

The burden of Arabia consists of a vision and interpretation. The vision is of a fugitive people. The interpretation is of judgment coming on the children of Kedar within a year.

Related Commentaries of Isaiah 21:1

Isaiah 21:1-17

1 The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

2 A grievousa vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

4 My heartb panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.

5 Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.

6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.

7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:

8 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:

9 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.

10 O my threshing, and the cornc of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.

11 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

13 The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.

14 The inhabitants of the land of Tema broughtd water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.

15 For they fled from the swords,e from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

16 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:

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