Isaiah 21

Isaiah 21:1

OF the desert] Babylon is so called, because it is likely that it was to be destroyed, and turned into pooles of water, Isaiah 14:23. Jeremiah 51:42. It commeth] the Italian, he commeth;namely, Cyrus, who tooke Babylon, who came out of Persia, a place which is desert in many places, hilly, and rugged, especially towards Chaldea.

Isaiah 21:2

The treacherous] that is to say, the Chaldeans Empire, which was founded and governed, by frauds, and oppressions, and hath been used after the same manner by the Persians.Elam] a part of Persia. The sighing] of the Nations which were oppressed by Babylons tyranny, and chiefly my people Have I made] Gods words.

Isaiah 21:3

Therefore] the Prophets words being terrified by what was revealed unto him in a vision concerning the ruine of Babylon.

Isaiah 21:4

The night] he seems to have a relation to what was shewed in the vision, namely, that Babylon should be taken on the night of a festivall day, and of publique rejoycing, Jeremiah 51:39.

Isaiah 21:5

Arise] a description of the sudden assault Anoint] as who should say, make clean your Armes. And the Prophet seemes to set forth, the Chaldeans securenesse, and negligence in standing to their Armes.

Isaiah 21:6

Goe set] all this was done in a vision as it were drawing out in a table, the approaching of the enemies campe and the taking of Babylon.

Isaiah 21:8

I sland] the Prophet tels the Lord how he is grieved, because that having kept him so long in a vision, and in the contemplation of the preparation made for Babylons ruine he had not yet shewed him the full execution of it. Whereunto God answers, declaring it to him by way of an irrevocable decree.

Isaiah 21:9

Charet of men] namely, Charets of warre, opposite to Charets to carry baggage, see Isaiah 22:6. And he] namely, God.

Isaiah 21:10

Of my floore] that is to say, the Kingdome which I purpose to thresh and beate down, like straw on the floore Have I declared] the Prophets words to the Church.

Isaiah 21:11

Dumah] this was the Country which belonged to Ismaels posterity, Genesis 25:14. and by this, or with this, seeme to be meant and understood the Edomites, a neighbouring Nation.He calleth] a representation of the anguish the Edomites were in, during these dangers, as if they had desired to be certified by the Prophet of some certaine newes Watchman] that is to say, O thou Prophet, whose office it is to see and foretell things to come, (as after night is past they use to set watches upon high places, especially in time of warre) tell us, if thou hast any good advice or councell to give us.

Isaiah 21:12

The Watchman] that is to say, I can say nothing to you from God, but that your calamities will surely come to passe; and they shall be accomplished like to an entire day, consisting of day and night If ye will] all your cares and foresights, cannot prevent your evils, which are unavoidable, see Jeremiah 49:7 Ezekiel 35:2 Obadiah 1:5.

Isaiah 21:13

Shall ye lodge] all the Countrey being full of Souldiers, you cannot now securely travaile in great companies, according to the Custome of the Country, Genesis 37:25. Job 6:19. Of Dedanim] people of Arabia, descended from Abraham by Keturah, Genesis 25:3

Isaiah 21:14

Brought water] a propheticall description of the flight and affrightment of the Arabians, at the Chaldeans comming.

Isaiah 21:16

Within a yeere] the Arabians being overcome by the Chaldeans, Jeremiah 49:28. Long after this prophecy. This must not be understood of the time that was between the prophecy and the fulfilling of it; but of the time that this warre lasted against Arabia, as Isaiah 20:3. According to the] see upon Isaiah 16:14.