Isaiah 21:12
Isaiah 21:12 in Multiple Translations
The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.”
The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.
The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: turn ye, come.
The watchman says, The morning has come, but night is still to come: if you have questions to put, put them, and come back again.
The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but the night is coming again soon. If you want to ask again, then come back and ask.”
The watchman saide, The morning commeth, and also the night. If yee will aske, enquire: returne and come.
The watchman hath said, 'Come hath morning, and also night, If ye inquire, inquire ye, turn back, come.'
The watchman said, “The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire. Come back again.”
The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.
The watchman said: The morning cometh, also the night: if you seek, seek: return, come.
I, the watchman, replied, “It will soon be morning, but after that, it will soon be night again. If you want to inquire again about what will happen in our country, come back and inquire again.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 21:12
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Isaiah 21:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 21:12
Study Notes — Isaiah 21:12
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 21:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 21:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 21:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 21:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 21:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 21:12
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 21:12
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 21:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 21:12
- Sermons on Isaiah 21:12
Context — The Burden against Edom
12The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.”
13This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites. 14Bring water for the thirsty, O dwellers of Tema; meet the refugees with food.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acts 17:30–32 | Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.” |
| 2 | Acts 2:37–38 | When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 18:30–32 | Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live! |
| 4 | Ezekiel 14:1–6 | Then some of the elders of Israel came and sat down before me. And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I consult with them in any way? Therefore speak to them and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him according to his great idolatry, so that I may take hold of the hearts of the people of Israel. For because of their idols, they are all estranged from Me.’ Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Repent and turn away from your idols; turn your faces away from all your abominations. |
| 5 | Acts 17:19–20 | So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” |
| 6 | Ezekiel 7:10 | Behold, the day is here! It has come! Doom has gone out, the rod has budded, arrogance has bloomed. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 42:19–22 | The LORD has told you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Know for sure that I have warned you today! For you have deceived yourselves by sending me to the LORD your God, saying, ‘Pray to the LORD our God on our behalf, and as for all that the LORD our God says, tell it to us and we will do it.’ For I have told you today, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God in all He has sent me to tell you. Now therefore, know for sure that by sword and famine and plague you will die in the place where you desire to go to reside.” |
| 8 | Ezekiel 7:5–7 | This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Disaster! An unprecedented disaster — behold, it is coming! The end has come! The end has come! It has roused itself against you. Behold, it has come! Doom has come to you, O inhabitants of the land. The time has come; the day is near; there is panic on the mountains instead of shouts of joy. |
| 9 | Isaiah 55:7 | Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. |
| 10 | Isaiah 17:14 | In the evening, there is sudden terror! Before morning, they are no more! This is the portion of those who loot us and the lot of those who plunder us. |
Isaiah 21:12 Summary
In Isaiah 21:12, the watchman tells the inquirer that morning has come, but night is still present, reminding us that even in the midst of new beginnings and opportunities, challenges and uncertainties still exist. This verse encourages us to seek God's guidance and wisdom, just as the Psalmist did in Psalms 119:66, and to trust in His sovereignty and goodness, as expressed in Romans 8:28. By seeking God's will and persevering through difficulties, we can find hope and guidance, even in the darkest of times, and trust that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). As we navigate the ups and downs of life, we can come back to God's Word and prayer, seeking His wisdom and guidance, and trusting in His love and care for us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the watchman mean by 'morning has come, but also the night' in Isaiah 21:12?
The watchman is indicating that while a new day has begun, the darkness of night still exists, symbolizing the ongoing struggle between light and darkness, as seen in Isaiah 9:2 and Romans 13:12.
Why does the watchman tell the inquirer to 'come back yet again'?
The watchman is encouraging the inquirer to continue seeking guidance and wisdom, just as the Psalmist did in Psalms 119:66, recognizing that spiritual growth and understanding are ongoing processes.
What is the significance of the watchman's response to the inquirer's question about the night?
The watchman's response highlights the importance of perseverance and persistence in seeking God's guidance, as emphasized in Jeremiah 29:13 and Hebrews 11:6, where we are encouraged to diligently seek Him and His will for our lives.
How does this verse relate to our lives as Christians today?
This verse reminds us that, like the inquirer, we must continually seek God's wisdom and guidance in our lives, even in the midst of challenges and uncertainties, trusting in His sovereignty and goodness, as expressed in Romans 8:28 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'nights' in my life where I need God's guidance and wisdom, and how can I seek Him more diligently in those areas?
- In what ways can I, like the watchman, be a source of guidance and encouragement to others who are seeking God's will for their lives?
- How can I balance the 'morning' of new beginnings and opportunities with the 'night' of challenges and uncertainties, trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness?
- What are some ways I can 'come back yet again' to God's Word and prayer, seeking His guidance and wisdom in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 21:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 21:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 21:12
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 21:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 21:12
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 21:12
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 21:12
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 21:12
Sermons on Isaiah 21:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Revival on the Isle of Lewis by Duncan Campbell | In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares a powerful testimony of a revival that took place in a parish. The revival began when four young girls, aged 16, prayed for their head |
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Repentance - Part 1 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, Derek Prince discusses the importance of repentance in the message of salvation. He highlights the role of John the Baptist as the forerunner who prepared the heart |
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A Spirit Hath Not Flesh and Bones by Tim Keller | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the message of Easter, which is that by uniting with Jesus Christ, believers will miss out on nothing. He encourages the congregation to rel |
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Great Commission by John Stott | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the Great Commission as recorded by Matthew, Luke, and John. The five aspects of the Great Commission, as summarized by Luke, are: proclamatio |
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Shocking Youth Message Stuns Hearers by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher questions why so many people claim to have encountered Jesus Christ but are not permanently changed. He emphasizes the importance of genuine transforma |
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(Covenant Word Ministries) Servant of Sin by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher recounts a rainy day when he was surprised to find a church full of people despite the bad weather. As he began to preach, a drunk man desperately trie |
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Americas Only Hope by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher expresses deep concern and sorrow for the state of the country and the erosion of freedom of speech. He recounts a powerful experience where he witness |






