Isaiah Chapter 21 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Isaiah 21:1
A prophecy about the coastal desert: Like whirlwinds sweeping over the Negev, it comes from the desert, from a fearsome land.
The "Desert by the Sea" speaks of opposites and what is commonly called a mirage. A mirage is something that appears to be real but is not and, in nature, it is caused by the refraction of light by heated air. The most common example is of a sheet of water appearing to be in the desert. In this case, the phrase is being used to identify the nation of Babylon. The city appeared to be wonderful but, in fact, was full of death due to the rampant idolatry.
Isaiah 21:2
A dire vision has been shown to me: the betrayer betrays, and the spoiler spoils. 'Eilam, advance! Madai, lay siege! I will end all groaning.
Elam refers to Persia as they became a part of the Persian army. This verse corresponds to the visions of Daniel and the defeat of the Babylonians at the hands of the Medo-Persian empire which happened in 539 B.C. The Babylonians had appeared to be unbeatable in their fortress but their strength was proved to be a mirage when the fortress fell in a single night.
Isaiah 21:3–4
This is why my insides are racked with pain; I am seized by pangs, like a woman in labor; wrenched by what I hear, aghast at what I see. My mind reels, shuddering assails me. The twilight I longed for terrifies me.
We see that this vision of judgment is terrible as it physically shakes the prophet to his core. Isaiah had longed for God to judge Babylon but, when he saw how terrible it was, it really troubled him. That is a reminder to us that we, as Christians, look forward to the judgment and long to see the return of Messiah but it will be horrible for those that have rejected him.
Isaiah 21:5
They set the table, light the lamps, eat and drink — "Get going, princes! Oil the shields!"
This verse predicts the fact that the Babylonians would be having a giant party as their city was being compromised. At this party, they even took articles that they had captured in Jerusalem and desecrated them as they used them to get drunk. While they were having this party, the Medes entered the city and defeated them and Darius the Mede took over their kingdom (see Daniel 5). Instead of preparing for the battle that they knew was coming, the leaders of the Babylonians were involved in the party. God had used them as an instrument of judgment but they were now judged themselves.
Isaiah 21:6–7
For this is what Adonai said to me: "Go, post a watchman to report what he sees! If he sees the cavalry, horsemen in pairs, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be on alert, on full alert!"
God assures Isaiah that the Babylonians will fall just as he said. He went so far as to say that the people should post a watchman to keep an eye out for the news. This is a reminder to us as well that, when God says that something will happen, we can watch out because it will happen.
Isaiah 21:8–10
He calls out like a lion: "My lord, I stand on the watchtower all day long, I stay at my post all night." Then, as they appeared — the cavalry, horsemen in pairs — he spoke these words: "She has fallen! She has fallen — Bavel! All the carved images of her gods lie shattered on the ground." My people, who have been threshed, grain trodden down on my threshing-floor: I am telling you what I have heard from ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el.
Isaiah reassures the people of what God has shown him and the fact that those who were oppressing them would be judged. The same type of assurance is for us, as Christians, today and we see the same news that Babylon has fallen in Revelation 18.
Isaiah 21:11–12
A prophecy about Dumah: Someone is calling to me from Se'ir: "Watchman, how much longer is it night? Watchman, how much longer is it night?" The watchman answers: "Morning is coming, but also the night. If you want to ask, ask! Come back again!"
Dumah means silence and it is a symbolic word as it is Edom with the "E" removed and Seir means rough or hairy. This burden is for the descendants of Esau who lived in the area south of the Dead Sea. A watchman was responsible for watching out for danger and alerting a city and we see that Isaiah assumes this title. The people ask the watchman how much longer it will be dark and his reply is that light is coming for some but darkness for others. This is a reminder to us, as Christians, that the imminent return of Messiah will be a wonderful time for us but it will be a time of great darkness and trouble for others. Just as Isaiah assumed the role of watchman with its responsibility, we, too, have the role for the world today. We must warn the people that morning is coming for us but darkness is coming for those who do not know Yeshua Messiah.
Isaiah 21:13–15
A prophecy about Arabia: You caravans of D'danim will camp in the desert growth of Arabia. Bring water to the thirsty, you who live in Teima, greet the fugitives with food; because they are fleeing the sword, the drawn sword, the bent bow and the press of battle.
The Dedanites lived in the northern part of what is known as Saudi Arabia which was just south of Babylon. They used basic weapons such as the bow but were faced with swords and shields of the Assyrians.
Isaiah 21:16–17
For this is what Adonai has told me: "Within a year [and not a day more], as if a hired worker were keeping track of the time, the glory of Kedar will come to an end. Few of Kedar's valiant archers will be left." ADONAI the God of Isra'el has spoken.
Kedar was the home of nomadic tribes in the Arabian desert and Isaiah warns them that within one year they would be conquered. He says that few will survive and that it is decreed by God.