Isaiah 21

CHAPTER 21

A Prophecy Against Babylon (21:1–10)

1 In this section, Isaiah again prophesies against Babylon⁹⁵ (verse 9), here called the Desert by the Sea.⁹⁶ Isaiah “sees” an invader sweeping down on Babylon like whirlwinds from a land of terror—either from Assyria or Persia.⁹⁷

2 Isaiah’s prophecy more likely refers to the Persian invasion, because the Persian army contained troops from Elam and Media. Furthermore, it was the Persians who finally did bring to an end all the groaning that Babylon had caused—especially the “groaning” of the Jewish exiles, who had been held captive in Babylon for seventy years.

3–5 At the “sight” of the invasion of Babylon, Isaiah’s heart falters; it is worse than he imagined. He had longed for this to happen; he had longed for the twilight (the end) of the Babylonian Empire; but he is still horrified by what he sees (verse 4). He calls out to the Babylonian officers to stop feasting and to oil their leather shields in preparation for battle (verse 5).

6–10 In Isaiah’s vision, the Lord tells him to post a lookout—probably on the wall of Jerusalem—to watch for anyone coming with news from Babylon (verses 6–7). Finally the lookout sees a man in a chariot coming; he gives the news that Babylon has fallen (verses 8–9).

Then Isaiah thinks of the Jewish exiles who have been crushed on the threshing floor⁹⁸ (verse 10). Here Isaiah, inspired by the Holy Spirit, looks ahead to the Jewish Exile, which took place more than a century after Isaiah saw this vision. The Exile would indeed be God’s judgment on His own disobedient people; they would be “crushed,” but not destroyed; a remnant would be saved. God’s judgment on the Babylonians, however, would leave no remnant; Babylon would never rise again.⁹⁹

A Prophecy Against Edom (21:11–12)

11–12 This prophecy is called an oracle concerning Dumah. “Dumah” means “silence,” but it sounds like “Edom” in Hebrew; after God’s judgment, Edom will indeed be “silent.”

Edom¹⁰⁰—also called Seir (verse 11)—was located south of Israel; it was the homeland of the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother (Genesis 32:3; 36:9). In his vision, Isaiah is a watchman who announces God’s judgment on Seir. It has been night for Seir—a “night” of Assyrian oppression. The watchman says: “Morning is coming—but the night of Babylonian oppression will soon follow.”

A Prophecy Against Arabia (21:13–17)

13–17 Even Arabia, far to the south, will not be free of Assyrian and Babylonian oppression. Isaiah mentions several groups of Arabians who will suffer attacks from their enemies to the north.