Isaiah 21:14

14 Bring water for the thirsty, O inhabitants of the land of ¹Tema, Meet the fugitive with bread.

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 but also night. If you would inquire, inquire; Come back again."

13 The oracle about Arabia. In the thickets of Arabia you must spend the night, O caravans of Dedanites.

14 Bring water for the thirsty, O inhabitants of the land of Tema, Meet the fugitive with bread.

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

16 For thus the Lord said to me, "In a year, as a hired man would count it, all the splendor of Kedar will terminate;

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 25:15; Job 6:19

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "to meet"