
Text -- Isaiah 21:15-17 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
From the time of this prophecy: an exact year.

Wesley: Isa 21:16 - -- Their power, and riches, and all things wherein they used to glory. This was executed by the Assyrians.
Their power, and riches, and all things wherein they used to glory. This was executed by the Assyrians.
The fugitive Dedanites and other Arabs.

JFB: Isa 21:16 - -- A wandering tribe (Psa 120:5). North of Arabia-Petræa, and south of Arabia-Deserta; put for Arabia in general.
A wandering tribe (Psa 120:5). North of Arabia-Petræa, and south of Arabia-Deserta; put for Arabia in general.

JFB: Isa 21:17 - -- The remnant of Arab warriors, famous in the bow, left after the invasion, shall be small.
That by Sennacherib, in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah; Is...
The remnant of Arab warriors, famous in the bow, left after the invasion, shall be small.
That by Sennacherib, in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah; Isa 22:8-11, the preparations for defense and securing of water exactly answer to those in 2Ch 32:4-5, 2Ch 32:30. "Shebna," too (Isa 22:15), was scribe at this time (Isa 36:3) [MAURER]. The language of Isa 22:12-14, as to the infidelity and consequent utter ruin of the Jews, seems rather to foreshadow the destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in Zedekiah's reign, and cannot be restricted to Hezekiah's time [LOWTH].
Clarke -> Isa 21:17
Clarke: Isa 21:17 - -- The archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar "The mighty bowmen of the sons of Kedar"- Sagittariorum fortium , Vulg.; transposing the two wo...
The archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar "The mighty bowmen of the sons of Kedar"- Sagittariorum fortium , Vulg.; transposing the two words, and reading
For the Lord - hath spoken it "For Jehovah hath spoken it"- The prophetic Carmina of Marcius, foretelling the battle of Cannae, lib. 25:12, conclude with the same kind of solemn form: Nam mihi ita Jupiter fatus est ; "Thus hath Jupiter spoken to me."Observe that the word
Calvin: Isa 21:15 - -- 15.For they flee from the face of the swords 74 He means that the calamity will be dreadful, and that the Arabians will have good reason for betaking...
15.For they flee from the face of the swords 74 He means that the calamity will be dreadful, and that the Arabians will have good reason for betaking themselves to flight, because the enemies will pursue them with arms and with swords, so that they will have no other way of providing for their safety than by flight. The reason why he foretells this defeat is plain enough; for it was necessary that the Jews should obtain early information of that which should happen long after, that they might learn that the world is governed by the providence of God and not by chance, and likewise that they should be taught by the example of others to behold God as the judge of all nations, wherever they turned their eyes. We do not know, and history does not inform us, whether or not the Arabians were enemies of the Jews. However that may be, it is certain that these things are spoken for the consolation of the godly, that they may behold the justice of God towards all nations, and may acknowledge that his judgment-seat is at Jerusalem, from which he will pronounce judgment on the whole world.

Calvin: Isa 21:16 - -- 16.For thus hath the Lord said to me He adds that this defeat of the Arabians, of which he prophesied, is close at hand; which tended greatly to comf...
16.For thus hath the Lord said to me He adds that this defeat of the Arabians, of which he prophesied, is close at hand; which tended greatly to comfort the godly. We are naturally fiery, and do not willingly allow the object of our desire to be delayed; and the Lord takes into account our weakness in this respect, when he says that he hastens his work. He therefore declares that he prophesies of things which shall happen, not after many ages, but immediately, that the Jews may bear more patiently their afflictions, from which they know that they will be delivered in a short time.
Yet a year according to the years of the hireling Of the metaphor of “the year of the hireling,” which he adds for the purpose of stating the matter more fully, we have already spoken. 75 It means that the time will not be delayed. The same comparison is used by heathen authors, where they intend to describe a day appointed and desired; as appears from that passage in Horace, “The day appears long to those who must render an account of their work.” 76

Calvin: Isa 21:17 - -- 17.And the residue of the archers He threatens that this slaughter will not be the end of their evils, because if there be any residue in Arabia, the...
17.And the residue of the archers He threatens that this slaughter will not be the end of their evils, because if there be any residue in Arabia, they will gradually decrease; as if he had said, “The Lord will not merely impoverish the Arabians by a single battle, but will pursue to the very utmost, till all hope of relief is taken away, and they are utterly exterminated.” Such is the vengeance which he executes against the ungodly, while he moderates the punishment which he inflicts on the godly, that they may not be entirely destroyed.
Of the mighty men He means warlike men and those who were fit to carry arms, and says, that although they escaped that slaughter, still they will be cut off at their own time. He formerly threatened similar chastisements against the Jews, but always accompanied by a promise which was fitted to alleviate their grief or at least to guard them against despair. It frequently happens that the children of God are afflicted as severely as the reprobate, or even with greater severity; but the hope of favor which is held out distinguishes them from the whole world. Again, when we learn that God visits on the wicked deadly vengeance, this is no reason why we should be immoderately grieved even at the heaviest punishments; but, on the contrary, we ought to draw from it this consolation, that he chastises them gently, and “does not give them over to death.” (Psa 118:18.)
The God of Israel hath spoken it The Prophet shews, as we have frequently remarked on former occasions, that we ought not only to acknowledge that these things happened by divine appointment, but that they were appointed by that God whom Israel adores. All men are sometimes constrained to rise to the acknowledgment of God, though they are disposed to believe in chance, because the thought that there is a God in heaven comes into their minds, whether they will or not, and that both in prosperity and in adversity; but then they imagine a Deity according to their own fancy, either in heaven or on earth. Since therefore irreligious men idly and foolishly imagine a God according to their own pleasure, the Prophet directs the Jews to that God whom they adore, that they may know the distinguished privilege which they enjoy in being placed under his guardianship and protection. Nor is it enough that we adore some God as governor of the world, but we must acknowledge the true God, who revealed himself to the fathers, and hath manifested himself to us in Christ. And this ought to be earnestly maintained, in opposition to the profane thoughts of many persons who contrive some strange and confused notion of a Deity, because they dare not openly deny God.
TSK: Isa 21:15 - -- from the swords : or, for fear of the swords, Heb. from the face of, Job 6:19, Job 6:20

TSK: Isa 21:16 - -- according : Isa 16:14; Job 7:1
Kedar : Isa 42:11, Isa 60:7; Gen 25:13; 1Ch 1:29; Psa 120:5; Son 1:5; Jer 49:28; Eze 27:21

TSK: Isa 21:17 - -- archers : Heb. bows
the mighty : Isa 10:18, Isa 10:19, Isa 17:4, Isa 17:5; Psa 107:39
for : Isa 1:20; Num 23:19; Jer 44:29; Zec 1:6; Mat 24:35

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Isa 21:15 - -- For they fled - The inhabitants of one part of the land. The grievousness of war - Hebrew, כבד kobed - "the weight, the heavine...
For they fled - The inhabitants of one part of the land.
The grievousness of war - Hebrew,

Barnes: Isa 21:16 - -- Within a year - What has been said before was figurative. Here the prophet speaks without a metaphor, and fixes the time when this should be ac...
Within a year - What has been said before was figurative. Here the prophet speaks without a metaphor, and fixes the time when this should be accomplished. It is not usual for the prophets to designate the exact "time"of the fulfillment of their prophecies in this manner.
According to the years of an hireling - Exactly; observing the precise time specified Job 7:1. See the phrase explained on Isa 16:14.
All the glory - The beauty, pride, strength, wealth, etc.
Of Kedar - Kedar was a son of Ishmael Gen 25:15. He was the father of the Kedareneans or "Cedrai,"mentioned by Pithy ("Nat. Hist."v. 11). They dwelt in the neighborhood of the Nabatheans, in Arabia Deserta. These people lived in tents, and were a wandering tribe, and it is not possible to fix the precise place of their habitation. They resided, it is supposed, in the south part of Arabia Deserts, and the north part of Arabia Petrea. The name ‘ Kedar’ seems to be used sometimes to denote Arabia in general, or Arabia Deserts particularly (see Psa 120:5; Son 1:5; Isa 42:11; Isa 60:7; Jer 2:10; Jer 49:28; Eze 26:21).
Shall fail - Shall be consumed, destroyed (

Barnes: Isa 21:17 - -- And the residue of the number - That is, those who shall be left in the invasion. Or perhaps it may be read, ‘ There shall be a renmant of...
And the residue of the number - That is, those who shall be left in the invasion. Or perhaps it may be read, ‘ There shall be a renmant of the number of bowmen; the mighty people of Kedar shall be diminished.’
Of archers - Hebrew, ‘ Of the bow;’ that is, of those who use bows in war. The bow was the common instrument in hunting and in war among the ancients.
Shall be diminished - Hebrew, ‘ Shall be made small;’ they shall be reduced to a very small number. We cannot indeed determine the precise historical event to which this refers, but the whole connection and circumstances seem to make it probable that it referred to the invasion by the Assyrian when he went up against Judah, or when he was on his way to Egypt.
Poole: Isa 21:16 - -- Within a year from the time of this prophecy.
According to the years of an hireling to wit, an exact year; for hirelings diligently observe and wai...
Within a year from the time of this prophecy.
According to the years of an hireling to wit, an exact year; for hirelings diligently observe and wait for the end of the year, when they are to receive their wages.
All the glory their power, and riches, and all things wherein they used to glory. This was executed by the Assyrians.

Poole: Isa 21:17 - -- Archers bows and arrows were their: chief weapons, and they were expert in the use of them, both against beasts and men, as occasion required.
Archers bows and arrows were their: chief weapons, and they were expert in the use of them, both against beasts and men, as occasion required.
Haydock -> Isa 21:16
Haydock: Isa 21:16 - -- Hireling; counting precisely, chap. xvi. 14. (Calmet) ---
Cedar: Arabia, (Challoner) near to Edom. (Calmet)
Hireling; counting precisely, chap. xvi. 14. (Calmet) ---
Cedar: Arabia, (Challoner) near to Edom. (Calmet)
Gill: Isa 21:15 - -- For they fled from the swords,.... Of their enemy, whom they could not withstand; perhaps the Assyrian army:
from the drawn sword; just ready to be...
For they fled from the swords,.... Of their enemy, whom they could not withstand; perhaps the Assyrian army:
from the drawn sword; just ready to be sheathed in them:
and from the bent bow; just going to let the arrow fly at them:
and from the grievousness of war: too heavy for them to bear.

Gill: Isa 21:16 - -- For thus hath the Lord said unto me,.... The prophet; which confirms what is before said, as well as assures the accomplishment of what follows:
wi...
For thus hath the Lord said unto me,.... The prophet; which confirms what is before said, as well as assures the accomplishment of what follows:
within a year, according to the years of an hireling; that is, exactly and precisely, as soon as ever the year is come to an end; for the hireling, when his year is up, instantly demands dismissal from his service, or his wages, or both. The time is to be reckoned from the delivery of this prophecy; and so the calamity predicted was brought upon them by the Assyrians, perhaps under Sennacherib, when he invaded the cities of Judah, and might take Arabia in his way; less time is allowed than was the Moabites, who suffered by the same hand; see Isa 16:14,
and all the glory of Kedar shall fail; these were another sort of Arabians, as the Targum calls them: they descended from Kedar, a son of Ishmael, Gen 25:13 their "glory" were their multitude, their riches and substance, and which chiefly lay in their flocks; for the sake of which they moved from place to place for pasture, and dwelled in tents, which they carried with them, and pitched where it was most convenient for them; hence they were called Scenites; see Psa 120:5.

Gill: Isa 21:17 - -- And the residue of the number of archers,.... Or of "bow" g, for "bows": that is, of men that use the bow, or are expert at it, as the Kedarenes were,...
And the residue of the number of archers,.... Or of "bow" g, for "bows": that is, of men that use the bow, or are expert at it, as the Kedarenes were, both for taking wild beasts, and fighting with men, in which they followed their original ancestor Ishmael, Gen 21:20 the number of these archers it seems had been great, but would be lessened by the calamity threatened; and those that would escape that, and be preserved from it, should be lessened still, as follows:
the mighty men of the children of Kedar shall be diminished; their military men, the most expert at the use of the bow, and the most valiant and courageous; the few of those that were left, and did not fall by the sword of the Assyrians, should gradually diminish, and be fewer and fewer:
for the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it; who cannot lie, nor will repent, and whose word never fails, what he has said he will do, nor will he alter the thing that is gone out of his lips; and he is spoken of as the God of Israel, because it was to the Israelites that this was said, and for their sakes; either because these Arabians some way or other were injurious to them, or they had put some confidence in them. The Targum is,
"because by the word of the Lord God of Israel it is so decreed.''

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Isa 21:16 Heb “in still a year, like the years of a hired worker.” See the note at 16:14.

Geneva Bible: Isa 21:16 For thus hath the Lord said to me, Within a year, ( t ) according to the years of an ( u ) hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:
( t ) He ...

Geneva Bible: Isa 21:17 And the remainder of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of ( x ) Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Isa 21:1-17
TSK Synopsis: Isa 21:1-17 - --1 The prophet, bewailing the captivity of his people, sees in a vision the fall of Babylon by the Medes and Persians.11 Edom, scorning the prophet, is...
MHCC -> Isa 21:13-17
MHCC: Isa 21:13-17 - --The Arabians lived in tents, and kept cattle. A destroying army shall be brought upon them, and make them an easy prey. We know not what straits we ma...
Matthew Henry -> Isa 21:13-17
Matthew Henry: Isa 21:13-17 - -- Arabia was a large country, that lay eastward and southward of the land of Canaan. Much of it was possessed by the posterity of Abraham. The Dedani...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Isa 21:13-15; Isa 21:16-17
Keil-Delitzsch: Isa 21:13-15 - --
The heading בּערב משּׂא (the ע written according to the best codd. with a simple sheva ), when pointed as we have it, signifies, accord...

Keil-Delitzsch: Isa 21:16-17 - --
Thus does the approaching fate of Arabia present itself in picture before the prophet's eye, whilst it is more distinctly revealed in Isa 21:16, Isa...
Constable: Isa 7:1--39:8 - --III. Israel's crisis of faith chs. 7--39
This long section of the book deals with Israel's major decision in Isa...

Constable: Isa 13:1--35:10 - --B. God's sovereignty over the nations chs. 13-35
This major section of the book emphasizes the folly of ...

Constable: Isa 13:1--23:18 - --1. Divine judgments on the nations chs. 13-23
The recurrence of the Hebrew word massa', translat...

Constable: Isa 21:1--23:18 - --The second series of five oracles chs. 21-23
Compared to the first series of oracles aga...
