Isaiah 21:14

14 To the thirsty bring water; meet the fugitive with bread, O inhabitants of the land of ¹Tema.

Isaiah 21:14 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 21:14

The inhabitants of the land of Tema
This country had its name from Tema, one of the sons of Ishmael, ( Genesis 25:15 ) . The Targum calls it the land of the south, as if it was Teman. These people were Arabians, and are here said to assist their countrymen, the Dedanites, in distress: brought water to him that was thirsty;
as travellers are wont to be, especially in a desert land, and when fleeing from an enemy; in which circumstances the travelling companies of Dedanim now were: they prevented with their bread him that fled;
gave it to him, being hungry and necessitous, without asking for it. Now all this seems to show what calamities should come upon the inhabitants of some parts of Arabia; that they should lodge in a forest, be hungry and thirsty, and flee before their enemy, as follows.

Isaiah 21:14 In-Context

12 The watchman says: "Morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; come back again."

13 The oracle concerning Arabia. In the thickets in Arabia you will lodge, O caravans of Dedanites.

14 To the thirsty bring water; meet the fugitive with bread, O inhabitants of the land of Tema.

15 For they have fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the press of battle.

16 For thus the Lord said to me, "Within a year, according to the years of a hired worker, all the glory of Kedar will come to an end.

Cross References

• 1. Job 6:19