Isaiah 21

The original text was written in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 17 verses.

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Cairensis (895), the Petersburg Codex of the Prophets (916), Aleppo Codex (10th century), Codex Leningradensis (1008).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=35-37}}

Fragments containing parts of this chapter were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls (3rd century BC or later):{{sfn|Ulrich|2010|p=367-369}}

• 1QIsa^a: complete
• 4QIsa^a (4Q55): extant: verses 1‑2, 4‑16
• 4QIsa^b (4Q56): extant: verses 11‑14

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; $\backslash mathfrak\{G\}$^B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: $\backslash mathfrak\{G\}$^S; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; $\backslash mathfrak\{G\}$^A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; $\backslash mathfrak\{G\}$^Q; 6th century).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=73-74}}

The parashah sections listed here are based on the Aleppo Codex.As reflected in the [http://mechon-mamre.org/e/et/et0.htm Jewish Publication Society's 1917 edition of the Hebrew Bible in English]. Isaiah 21 is a part of the Prophecies about the Nations (Isaiah 13–23). {P}: open parashah; {S}: closed parashah.

: {P} 21:1-5 {S} 21:6-10 {P} 21:11-12 {P} 21:13-15 {S} 21:16-17 {S}

This part of prophecy or oracle refers clearly to Babylon, although it is not indicated by name, as understood, among others, by Coggins{{sfn|Coggins|2007|p=453}} and Rashi.[https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/15952#showrashi=true Yeshayahu - Isaiah - Chapter 21 with Rashi's Commentary] - Chabad.org

:The burden against the Wilderness of the Sea

::As whirlwinds in the South pass through,

::So it comes from the desert, from a terrible land.{{bibleref2|Isaiah|21:1|NKJV}} NKJV

The Septuagint does not include the words "of the Sea":[http://biblehub.com/sep/isaiah/21.htm Isaiah 21:1 - Septuagint]

:As though a whirlwind should pass through the desert, coming from a desert, even from such a land, so a fearful and a grievous vision was declared to me.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes the sub-heading in this verse as one (and the first) of "a series of 'enigmatic' headings", along with Isaiah 21:11, 13, and Isaiah 22:1 (cf. {{bibleverse|Isaiah|30:6|KJV}}).[http://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/isaiah/21.htm Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges] on Isaiah 21, accessed 5 April 2018 Rabbi Jonathan is quoted by Rashi to render this verse: "A harsh prophecy concerning the armies that come from the desert, as numerous as the waters of the sea."

• "Burden" (Hebrew: מַשָּׂ֖א {{Strong-number|maś-śā|H|04853}}): the keyword in the superscriptions for a total of nine similar oracles; the others being: Isaiah 13:1; 15:1; 17:1; 19:1; Isaiah 21:11, 13; 22:1; 23:1.{{sfn|Childs|2001|p=113}}

::"And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!"

:Then he answered and said,

::"Babylon is fallen, is fallen!

::And all the carved images of her gods

::He has broken to the ground."{{bibleref2|Isaiah|21:9|NKJV}} NKJV

Cross reference: {{bibleref2|Jeremiah|51:8}}; {{bibleref2|Isaiah|46:1}}

• "Babylon is fallen, is fallen": the event is prophesied in a vision.The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Augmented Third Edition, New Revised Standard Version, Indexed. Michael D. Coogan, Marc Brettler, Carol A. Newsom, Editors. Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2007. pp. 1006-1007 Hebrew Bible. {{ISBN|978-0195288810}}

:{{sup|11}}The burden against Dumah.

::He calls to me out of Seir,

:::"Watchman, what of the night?

:::Watchman, what of the night?"

::{{sup|12}}The watchman said,

:::"The morning comes, and also the night.

:::If you will inquire, inquire;

:::Return! Come back!"{{bibleref2|Isaiah|21:11-12|NKJV}} NKJV

The Masoretic Text refers to Dumah, whereas the Septuagint refers to Edom,[http://biblehub.com/sep/isaiah/21.htm Septuagint: Isaiah 21:11] as do the NASB and NLT.[https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Isaiah%2021:11 BibleGateway.com: Isaiah 21:11]

• "Burden" (Hebrew: {{lang|he|מַשָּׂ֖א}} {{Strong-number|mashā|H|04853}}): "oracle, prophecy";Note [a] on Isaiah 19:1 in NKJV the keyword in the superscriptions for a total of nine similar oracles; the others being: Isaiah 13:1; 15:1; 17:1; 19:1; Isaiah 21:1, 13; 22:1; 23:1.{{sfn|Childs|2001|p=113}}

The phrase "the desert plain" may not point to an identifiable place, although the geographical area named is usually considered in Arabia.{{sfn|Coggins|2007|p=453}} The oasis city Tema (verse 14) is located {{cvt|100|mile}} south of Elath and {{cvt|200|mile}} east of the Red Sea, known to be a caravan center.{{sfn|Motyer|2015|p=177}} The Dedanites (verse 13) and Kedar (verse 16) were Arabian tribes.{{sfn|Motyer|2015|p=177}}

It is recorded that Kedar paid tribute in 738 BCE to the Assyrians and in 715 BCE Sargon II battled the tribes between Tema and the Gulf of Aqaba (the eastern arm of the Red Sea), then in 703 BCE Sennacherib subdued the Arabian tribes joining the rebellion of Merodach-Baladan (king of Babylon).{{sfn|Motyer|2015|p=177}} Therefore, there is no need to consider a later date for this part of prophecy.{{sfn|Motyer|2015|p=177}}

This passage is closely linked to the Book of Jeremiah (cf. Jeremiah 49:8).{{sfn|Coggins|2007|p=453}}

:The burden against Arabia.

::In the forest in Arabia you will lodge,

::O you traveling companies of Dedanites.{{bibleref2|Isaiah|21:13|NKJV}} NKJV

• "Burden" (Hebrew: {{lang|he|מַשָּׂ֖א}} {{Strong-number|mashā|H|04853}}): "oracle, prophecy";Note [a] on Isaiah 19:1 in NKJV the keyword in the superscriptions for a total of nine similar oracles; the others being: Isaiah 13:1; 15:1; 17:1; 19:1; Isaiah 21:1, 11; 22:1; 23:1.{{sfn|Childs|2001|p=113}}

• Arabia
• Babylon
• Edom
• Related Bible parts: Psalm 92, Psalm 93, Isaiah 46, Revelation 14, Revelation 17, Revelation 18

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book | last = Childs | first = Brevard S. | title = Isaiah | year = 2001 | publisher = Westminster John Knox Press | isbn = 9780664221430}}
• {{cite book|last= Coggins | first= R | chapter = 22. Isaiah | title=The Oxford Bible Commentary | editor-first1=John| editor-last1=Barton | editor-first2=John| editor-last2= Muddiman | publisher = Oxford University Press |edition= first (paperback) | date = 2007 | pages = 433–586 | isbn = 978-0199277186 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ| access-date=February 6, 2019}}
• {{cite book | last = Motyer | first = J. Alec | title = The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary | publisher = InterVarsity Press | year = 2015 | isbn = 9780830895243 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=p3R3CwAAQBAJ }}
• {{Cite book

| editor-last = Ulrich

| editor-first = Eugene

| title = The Biblical Qumran Scrolls: Transcriptions and Textual Variants

| year = 2010

| publisher = Brill

| url = https://archive.org/details/TheBiblicalQumranScrolls}}

• {{cite book | last = Würthwein | first = Ernst | author-link = Ernst Würthwein | title = The Text of the Old Testament | publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans |location = Grand Rapids, MI | year= 1995 | translator-first1 = Erroll F.| translator-last1 = Rhodes |isbn = 0-8028-0788-7 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FSNKSBObCYwC | access-date= January 26, 2019}}

• [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1021.htm Isaiah 21 Hebrew with Parallel English]

• [http://www.latinvulgate.com/lv/verse.aspx?t=0&b=27&c=21 Isaiah 21 English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate]

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