Isaiah 21:11-13 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

THE BURDEN OF DUMAH . This short "burden" is probably to be understood as uttered with reference to Edom, which the prophet prefers to call " Dumah ," i.e. " silence ," in reference to the desolation which he sees to be coming upon the country. Such a play upon words is very usual in the East. Isaiah has already given an instance of it in the name under which he has designated Heliopolis ( Isaiah 19:18 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

Half-hearted turning to God of no avail. There are many who, in the hour of distress, turn to God and his ministers with the question, " Watchman , what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?" They are anxious to be assured that the dark time of their trouble is well-nigh over, and light about to dawn upon their horizon. And they so far believe in God's ministers as to think that they can, better than others, give them an answer to their question. Accordingly, they importune their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

The watchman. I. THE CALL FROM SEIR . The Edomites are asking, "Will the light soon dawn? What hour is it?" Like the sick man tossing on his bed, they long for the first tidings that the night of tribulation is past. II. THE ENIGMATIC ANSWER . "Morning cometh, and also night." There were "wise men" in Edom, and probably the answer is couched in the style they loved. What does it mean? We can but conjecture. It may mean that the coming light of prosperity and joy is soon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

Taunt, retort, and overture. 1. We take this to be a bitter taunt on the part of the Idumaean. "Watchman," he says, "what of this long night of national calamity through which you are passing? Where is the God of David, of Josiah, and of Hezekiah? What about those promises of Divine deliverance which have been your trust," etc.? 2. Then we have the calm retort of the prophet. He says, "'The morning cometh.' You may see nothing but darkness; but to me , on my watch-tower, there are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:12

The morning cometh, and also the night . An oracular reply, but probably meaning read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:13

The burden upon Arabia ; rather, in Arabia . The phrase is varied from its usual form, probably because it is not Arabia generally, but only certain of the more northern tribes, on whom calamity is about to fall. In the forest … shall ye lodge . The word used is commonly translated "forest;" but Arabia has no forests, and the meaning hero must be "brushwood." Thorny bushes and shrubs are common in all parts of Arabia. The general meaning is that the caravans will have to leave the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:13-16

The tribes of Arabia. I. THE FATE OF THE DEDANITES . Their caravans must hide in the thorn-bushes away from the beaten track. These Dedanites belong to Edom ( Jeremiah 49:8 ; Ezekiel 25:13 ). They were merchants, and among others traded with wealthy Tyre ( Ezekiel 27:15 ). And probably the meaning is that when on their way from Tyre they would be compelled to camp in the desert, because of the wide spreading war from north to south. II. THE SYMPATHY OF THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:13-17

THE BURDEN OF ARABIA . Edom will have companions in misfortune among the Arab tribes upon her borders, Dedan, Tema, and Kedar. War will enter their territory, derange their commerce ( Isaiah 21:13 ), cause flight and privation ( Isaiah 21:14 , Isaiah 21:15 ), and within a year greatly diminish the number of their fighting men ( Isaiah 21:16 , Isaiah 21:17 ). The date of the prophecy is uncertain, but can scarcely be earlier than B.C. 715, when Sargon made an expedition into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:13-17

Our ills and their remedies. In this "burden" upon Arabia we may detect a picture or, at least, find a suggestion of— I. THE ILLS TO WHICH FLESH IS HEIR . 1. Being turned out of our course . The caravans of Dedan are obliged to forsake their track and find refuge in the forests or stony retreats of the desert ( Isaiah 21:13 ). Continually are we compelled to change our route as travelers along the road of life. We mark out our course and set out on our way, but... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 21:11

Analysis of Isaiah 21:11, Isaiah 21:12. - VISION 17. Dumah, or Idumea.This prophecy is very obscure. It comprises but two verses. When it was delivered, or on what occasion, or what was its design, it is not easy to determine. Its brevity has contributed much to its obscurity; nor, amidst the variety of interpretations which have been proposed, is it possible to ascertain with entire certainty the true explanation. Perhaps no portion of the Scriptures, of equal length, has been subjected to a... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:13-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:13-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:13-17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 21:11

Group of Brands