21:1 the wilderness of the sea Unlike earlier oracles against specific nations, this heading is ambiguous and mysterious. The “wilderness of the sea” could refer to a body of water or a vast desert. It may describe the watery wilderness created by the marshes of the Tigris and Euphrates delta where they enter the Persian Gulf. The image of the vision coming like a wind across the wilderness to the prophet may have influenced the imagery used for the heading.

the Negev A dry region of Palestine south of the hill country of Judah. The territory formed a natural southern boundary for Judah.

21:2 A hard revelation This oracle comes as a prophetic vision. The Hebrew term here denotes the vision is hard or grievous.

the treacherous deals treacherously May simply point to the complicated political situation of entangled alliances and switched allegiances. This Hebrew phrase rhymes with the following phrase, providing another example of poetic wordplay in Isaiah.

Go up, Elam It is unknown who Elam and Media are besieging. Elam and Media were part of the Persian Empire that conquered Babylon in 539 bc. However, it is unclear why the prophet would be upset over their besieging Babylon.

lay siege, Media See 13:17, which foreshadows Yahweh’s purpose for the Medes to conquer Babylon.

21:3 my loins are filled with anguish It is unclear why the prophet reacts with such anguish and dismay to the fall of Babylon (v. 9). His vision may be so vivid, and the exposure to human suffering so great, that he is overwhelmed.

21:5 Set out the table in order Unaware that disaster is almost upon them, the Babylonians continue eating and drinking. When Persia invades, they conquer an unprepared and unsuspecting Babylon.

Rise up, commanders Isaiah appeals to the complacent leaders to prepare for battle.

21:6 set a watchman in position Portrays the prophet as a watchman, warning the people of the judgment to come (compare Hab 2:1; Ezek 3:17).

21:7 riders of donkeys, riders of camels The variety of animals—horses, donkeys, and camels—may indicate a mass flight from the conquered region.

21:9 Babylon has fallen The seat of Mesopotamian culture and influence is destroyed. In later literature, Babylon symbolizes all wicked worldly power opposed to God (e.g., Rev 14:8; 18:2).

the images of her gods Mesopotamian religion heavily influenced the polytheistic worldview of the ancient Near East. Yahweh has destroyed the earthly and divine power of Babylon.

21:10 My downtrodden people and the son of my threshing floor May be addressing Judah who, oppressed by Assyria, hears of the downfall of another potential ally.

what I have heard from Yahweh of The prophet reports exactly what was given to him as a message from God.

21:11 The oracle of Dumah The Hebrew term dumah (“silence”) refers to the silence of the underworld in Psa 115:17. The parallel reference here to Seir indicates the name is either a corruption of Edom or a wordplay on the name Edom and the eerie nighttime stillness of the oracle’s content.

Oracles Against the Nations Table

to me The prophet is in the role of the watchman. See note on Isa 21:6.

Watchman, what of the night? Emphasizes Edom’s desperation to know when the darkness of judgment might pass.

21:12 Morning comes, and also the night The cryptic answer offers no comfort. Judgment may ease for a time, but is not yet over.

21:13 caravans of Dedanites The inhabitants of Arabia (including Dedanites and Ishmaelites) were primarily known to the rest of the Middle East by their reputation as traders (see Ezek 27:20; Gen 37:25). Dedanites were descendants of Abraham by Keturah (see Gen 25:3).

21:14 the land of Tema The refugees from the overthrow of Babylon would flee as far as Arabia. The last king of Babylon, Nabonidus, spent 10 years of his reign at the Arabian oasis of Tema, leaving his son, Belshazzar, to rule Babylon. See Dan 5:1–31.

21:16 like the years of a hired worker See Isa 16:14.

Kedar One of the sons of Ishmael. Kedar is another name for the Ishmaelites (see Gen 25:13). Kedar was in the northern part of the Arabian desert, east of the Jordan River and east of Syria. The Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (reigned 669–632 bc) records a military expedition against Kedar, which was apparently a powerful Arabian faction at the time.