Isaiah 21:13

13 This is a message about Arabia. People of Dedan, you whose caravans camp in the barren country of Arabia,

Isaiah 21:13 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 21:13

The burden upon Arabia
Which lay heavy upon it, as a burden upon a beast; or "concerning" it, or "against" it, as Kimchi notes; which Arabia, or what part thereof, is meant, may be gathered from the names after mentioned. The Targum is,

``the burden of the cup of cursing, to give the Arabians to drink.''

Ben Melech says, these are the Arabians that dwell in the wilderness: in the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge;
not in their tents and huts, which they had used to carry with them, and set up where they pleased; since now in their fright and flight they would leave them behind them, and so be obliged to take up their lodging in woods and forests; perhaps the desert of Arabia Petraea is meant: O ye travelling companies of Dedanim;
or Dedanites; these were Arabians that descended from Jokshan, a son of Abraham by Keturah, ( Genesis 25:3 ) who were either shepherds, who went in companies together with their flocks, and moved from place to place for the sake of pasture; or rather were merchants, who went in caravans and troops with their merchandise from one country to another; see ( Ezekiel 27:15 Ezekiel 27:20 ) and who, because of the ravages of the enemy, would be glad of a lodging in the woods for security.

Isaiah 21:13 In-Context

11 This is a message about Edom. Someone calls to me from Edom, "Sentry, how soon will the night be over? Tell me how soon it will end."

12 I answer, "Morning is coming, but night will come again. If you want to ask again, come back and ask."

13 This is a message about Arabia. People of Dedan, you whose caravans camp in the barren country of Arabia,

14 give water to the thirsty people who come to you. You people of the land of Tema, give food to the refugees.

15 People are fleeing to escape from swords that are ready to kill them, from bows that are ready to shoot, from all the dangers of war.