Isaiah 21:11-12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

This prophecy concerning Dumah is very short, and withal dark and hard to be understood. Some think that Dumah is a part of Arabia, and that the inhabitants descended from Dumah the sixth son of Ishmael, as those of Kedar (Isa. 21:16, 17) from Ishmael's second son, Gen. 25:13, 14. Others, because Mount Seir is here mentioned, by Dumah understand Idumea, the country of the Edomites. Some of Israel's neighbours are certainly meant, and their distress is foretold, not only for warning to them to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 21:11

The burden of Dumah ,.... Whether this prophecy concerns the Edomites or Idumeans, or whether the Arabians, particularly the Dumean Arabians, is a question, since Dumah was a son of Ishmael, Genesis 25:14 and there was a place in Arabia called Dumatha F25 Vid. Hiller. Onomasticon Sacr. p. 797. ; and Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret it here of Dumah the son of Ishmael; but inasmuch as mention is made of Seir, a mountain, which belonged to the Edomites, Genesis 36:8 and a distinct... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 21:12

The watchman said, the morning cometh, and also the night ,.... Not only a morning, but a night; and as sure as the morning comes, so shall the night; there wilt be a constant succession of morning and night; as a morning of prosperity, so a night of adversity: the morning of the Gospel dispensation was coming on, or of Christ's coming in the flesh, which was attended with joy and cheerfulness; like the morning, it dispersed the shadows of the law, introduced light, which gradually and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 21:11

The burden of Dumah "The oracle concerning Dumah" - Pro דומה Dumah , Codex R. Meiri habet אדום Edom ; and so the Septuagint, Vid. Kimchi ad h. 50. Biblia Michaelis, Halae, 1720, not. ad 50. See also De Rossi. Bishop Lowth translates the prophecy thus: - 11. The Oracle Concerning Dumah. A voice crieth to me from Seir: Watchman, what from the night? Watchman, what from the night? 12. The watchman replieth: - The morning cometh, and also the night. If ye will inquire,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11

Dumah . There were at least two towns of this name; but neither of them is in the district of Seir. It is best, therefore, to regard " Dumah " here as representing Edom, or Iaumaea (so the LXX ; Jarchi, Rosenmüller, Kay , Cheyne, and others). He calleth to me ; rather, one calleth to me ; i.e. I seem to hear a call from Mount Seir, as of one making inquiry of me. There is no need to suppose that the inquiry was actually made. Mount Self, or the district south-south-east of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11

A momentous question. "Watchman, what of the night?" This is the question which ever occupies earnest minds. That the darkness of sin is here wise men note, without wasting metaphysical thought upon the how or why. Here is sin. On that all are agreed. Is there salvation too? I. PROPHETIC VISION . Isaiah sees. Far away on the world's horizon he beholds a rising light; and, in anticipation of that, he himself is permitted to reveal truths which shall brighten the darkness of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11

The watchman's response. "Dumah," meaning "silence," is probably a mystical prophetic name for Edom. It seems that Edom was at this time in a condition of humiliation and depression that is well represented by the nighttime. As the night passes, Edom calls to Isaiah, as the prophet-watchman, asking how much longer the darkness is to last. Isaiah cannot return a comfortable and satisfying answer; he can only say, "If this night of trouble passes, it will but give place to another." The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 21:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 21:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 21:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 21:11-12

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