Judgment upon Arabia
This section concerns the N. Arabian tribes. For the occasion see prefatory note on Isaiah 21:11; Isaiah 21:12.
13-17. Owing to the incursions of the As Syrians the Dedanite caravans must take to flight, and other Arabian tribes shall share their fate.
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.