This chapter is part of the section of Isaiah from chapter 13 up to chapter 23 which deal with Adonai’s proclamation against the nations. Verses 11 and12 has a brief oracle concerning Edom, the southernmost part of what is now the Kingdom of Jordan. Verses 13 – 17, concern a proclamation against Arabia.
Chapter 21: 11,12. The Proclamation against Edom.
“The burden against Dumah. He calls to me out of Seir, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, “The morning comes, and also the night. If you inquire, inquire; Return! Come back!”
“Dumah” would appear to have been named after one of Ishmael’s sons (Genesis 25:14; 1 Chronicles 1:30). The name here seems to apply to Edom which later became known as Idumea. But it is also the name of an oasis in northern Arabia which was located at the intersection of the east-west trade route from the Persian Gulf to Petra, and the north-south trade route between Palmyra and Edom. This Dumah played a vital role in the relationship between Mesopotamia and Edom, and its fate greatly effected Edom.
“Seir” is of course another name for Edom. Edom was located at the south end of the Dead Sea and was the home of Esau’s descendants.
In verses 11 and 12, Isaiah in his vision, has a conversation with an anxious Edomite who asks, “What of the night? I.e., has the Assyrian threat been removed? The watchman (Isaiah) answers that the night of the present troubles is over but after a day of tranquillity, another time of turmoil will come. Isaiah’s warning is that relief from Assyrian domination will be followed by Babylonian aggression.
Isaiah adds that if the Edomites are anxiously looking for a message of comfort, they must “return” i.e. repent. Only then can they receive deliverance.
Isaiah Chapter 21:13 – 17. The Proclamation Against Arabia.
Verses 13 – 15.
“The burden against Arabia. In the forest of Arabia you will lodge, O you traveling companies of Dedanites. O inhabitants of the land of Tema, bring water to him who is thirsty; with their bread they met him who fled. For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the distress of war.”
There are two people called Dedan in scripture. One was the great, grandson of Ham (the son of Noah). The other was a grandson of Abraham. His grandmother was Keturah, Abraham’s concubine.
The city of Dedan in Arabia was not far from the Red Sea on a trade route. It was to the south of the oasis of Dumah. Tema was in the same region; in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula.
Those who had “fled” in verse 15, will have been fleeing from the Assyrian army and have taken refuge in central Arabia. What is described in verse 13 as “the forest of Arabia”, would perhaps best be considered as a “thicket”; a place that would provide some concealment from the weapons of the Assyrians.
The “travelling companies of Dedanites” probably refers to the trading caravans which will need to hide from the Assyrian army. They may escape “the drawn sword” but they will suffer hunger and thirst, “the distress of war.”
Verses 16 and 17.
“For thus the Lord has said to me, “Within a year, according to the year of the hired man, all the glory of Kedir will fail; and the remainder of the number of archers, the mighty men of the people of Kadir, will be diminished; for the Lord God of Israel has spoken it.”
“Kedir” was a relatively fertile region of Arabia. This was where Dedan and Tema were situated.
These verses probably anticipate the conquest of this region of Arabia by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (Jeremiah 49:28 – 33). The refugees from this region would be driven further into the desert.
The Lord had decreed that Arabia’s glory “will fail”. Within a year, most of her famous warriors would be lost.