Isaiah 21:13

13 The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye traveling companies of Dedanim.

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 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.

13 The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye traveling companies of Dedanim.

14 The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they met with their bread him that fled.

15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.