Isaiah 21:13-17 · Bible study
Isaiah 21:13-17 Commentary: The Fall of Kedar and Arabia's Judgment
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What is the prophecy against Arabia? Dedanite caravans, Tema's hospitality, and the impending judgment of Kedar explained with original Hebrew context.
Research Summary
- Meaning: An oracle of judgment against Arabian tribes (Dedan, Tema, Kedar), with a vivid scene of caravans fleeing war and an announcement of Kedar's imminent fall.
- Key words: 'Burden' (massa, oracle of doom), 'thickets' (ya'ar, dense scrub), 'hireling' (sakhir, contract laborer emphasizing precise timing).
- Main debate: The historical identity of the invading army, most commenters suggest the Assyrians under Sennacherib, but some point to later Babylonian campaigns.
- Theological theme: Yahweh, the God of Israel, is sovereign over all nations, even those outside the covenant; human glory is fragile and subject to His decree.
- Best use: A reminder of God's control over history and a call to humble reliance on Him rather than on wealth, military power, or trade alliances.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
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.
15For they flee from the sword— the sword that is drawn— from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.
16For this is what the Lord says to me: “Within one year, as a hired worker would count it, all the glory of Kedar will be gone.
17The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
WEB World English Bible 2000
13The burden on Arabia. You will lodge in the thickets in Arabia, you caravans of Dedanites.
14They brought water to him who was thirsty. The inhabitants of the land of Tema met the fugitives with their bread.
15For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the heat of battle.
16For the Lord said to me, “Within a year, as a worker bound by contract would count it, all the glory of Kedar will fail,
17and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, will be few; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken it.”
KJV King James Version 1769
13The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.
14The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
15For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
16For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:
17And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
13The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye caravans of Dedanites.
14Unto him that was thirsty they brought water; the inhabitants of the land of Tema did meet the fugitives with their bread.
15For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
16For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, all the glory of Kedar shall fail;
17and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be few; for Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath spoken it.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
13The burden on Arabia. In a forest in Arabia ye lodge, O travellers of Dedanim.
14To meet the thirsty brought water have Inhabitants of the land of Tema, With his bread they came before a fugitive.
15For from the face of destructions they fled, From the face of a stretched-out sword, And from the face of a trodden bow, And from the face of the grievousness of battle.
16For thus said the Lord unto me: `Within a year, as years of a hireling, Consumed hath been all the honour of Kedar.
17And the remnant of the number of bow-men, The mighty of the sons of Kedar are few, For Jehovah, God of Israel, hath spoken!'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
13The burden against Arabia. In the forest of Arabia shall ye lodge, [ye] caravans of Dedanites.
14Bring ye water to meet the thirsty! The inhabitants of the land of Tema come forth with their bread for him that fleeth.
15For they flee from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
16For thus hath the Lord said unto me: Within a year, according to the years of a hired servant, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail;
17and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the sons of Kedar, shall be diminished: for Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath spoken.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
13The burden in Arabia. In the forest at evening you shall sleep, in the paths of Dedanim.
14Meeting the thirsty bring him water, you that inhabit the land of the south, meet with bread him that fleeth.
15For they are fled from before the swords, from the sword that hung over them, from the bent bow, from the face of a grievous battle.
16For thus saith the Lord to me: Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, all the glory of Cedar shall be taken away.
17And the residue of the number of strong archers of the children of Cedar shall be diminished: for the Lord the God of Israel hath spoken it.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Isaiah 21:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this oracle pronounces judgment on Arabian tribes, likely in the context of Assyrian expansion. Barnes associates it with Sennacherib's campaign; Gill adds the Assyrian army. The image is vivid: Dedanite caravans, normally on busy trade routes, are driven into desert thickets. Calvin notes the 'trembling' that seizes them. The inhabitants of Tema, a kindred tribe, offer water and bread to the fugitives, an act of hospitality that underscores the extremity of the situation. Keil and Delitzsch observe that Kedar represents the Arabian tribes collectively. The prophecy fixes a precise timeframe: within one year, as a hired worker counts his term, all the glory of Kedar will vanish and its famous archers will be few. The concluding phrase 'for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken it' seals the certainty of the word. Thus the passage asserts God's sovereignty over the nations of the desert, even those beyond Israel's borders.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Assyrian campaign view: Links the prophecy to Sennacherib's invasion of the west; Barnes, Gill
- Babylonian campaign view: Points to parallels in Jeremiah 49; Keil and Delitzsch
- General tribal conflict view: Sees the description as archetypal, not tied to a single event; some modern scholars
What is clear: The prophecy announces a severe judgment on Arabian tribes (Dedan, Tema, Kedar) that will occur within a precise timeframe, demonstrating Yahweh's sovereign authority over all peoples.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of the oracle heading | Most agree the heading 'burden upon Arabia' introduces a judgment oracle against Arabian tribes. | Clarke and Cambridge Bible question the originality of the heading, noting the unusual preposition and its absence in some LXX manuscripts. |
| Historical enemy | The prophecy describes a military invasion causing flight. | Barnes and Gill associate it with the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib; Keil and Delitzsch point to Babylonian campaigns; some see a general description of tribal warfare. |
| Interpretation of 'thickets' (forest) | The Hebrew ya'ar means a wooded area, but in Arabia likely refers to dense scrub. | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown says 'not a grove of trees, but a region of thick underwood'; Lange notes that the word can also mean 'evening' and the prophet may have used a double meaning. |
| Theological focus | The passage demonstrates Yahweh's sovereignty over foreign nations. | Some emphasize God's judgment on all who oppose His people (Barnes); others see it as a demonstration of God's universal rule regardless of relation to Israel (Calvin). |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage belongs to a series of oracles in Isaiah 13, 23 against nations surrounding Judah: Babylon, Philistia, Moab, Syria, Egypt, and now Arabia. The tribes named, Dedan, Tema, Kedar, all trace descent from Abraham. Dedan was a grandson of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:3); Tema and Kedar were sons of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13-15). These were not settled nations but nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples who controlled key trade routes across the Arabian desert.
The 'thickets' (Hebrew ya'ar) likely refer to areas of dense scrub, not tall forests, the only cover available in the desert. Caravans forced to lodge there instead of on open roads reveals the breakdown of normal life. In the ancient Near East, hospitality to travelers was a sacred duty, especially the offer of water. That the Temeans bring water and bread 'to him who was thirsty' and 'meet the fugitives' shows the depth of the crisis: even neighbors who might normally be rivals extend help.
The historical catalyst is most probably the Assyrian campaigns of the late 8th century BC. Sennacherib's armies swept through the region, and Arabian tribes were caught in the conflict between Assyria and Egypt. Barnes and Gill lean this direction. Some later commentators see the hand of Babylon (Jeremiah 49:7-8 offers a parallel), but the precise reference to 'within a year' suggests a specific, near-term event.
The closing line, 'for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken it,' is profound. Here, the God of a small covenant nation speaks judgment over the desert peoples, a reminder that He is Lord of all the earth, not just of Israel.
Textual Notes
The heading at verse 13 shows textual variation. Clarke notes its absence from many Septuagint manuscripts and the unusual form 'ba'arav with the preposition beth, unlike other massa headings. Keil and Delitzsch suggest the preposition may be intentional to create symbolic ambiguity. The main body of the oracle is textually stable across Hebrew manuscripts and ancient versions.
Reception History
In the early church, this passage was read as a prophecy of divine judgment extending beyond Israel, affirming God's rule over all nations. Jerome commented on the location of Tema and Kedar, drawing on local geography. During the Reformation, Calvin saw here a demonstration that God humbles those who seem invincible. Matthew Henry used it to warn against trusting in worldly strength, noting that the 'grievousness of war' should make us thankful for peace. In the Wesleyan tradition, it was interpreted as a call to heed the temporal judgments of God. The precise fulfillment of the 'within a year' prediction was often cited as evidence of prophetic authority. Modern scholarship focuses on the historical setting of Assyrian campaigns, while still upholding the theological point that God holds all nations accountable.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God's eye on every nation. Though Arabia lay outside Israel's borders, Yahweh speaks judgment over it. No power or place escapes His sight.
- The fragility of human glory. Kedar was known for wealth, archers, and strength. Yet within a year, all its glory fails. Our achievements and security are temporary.
- The certainty of God's word. The prophecy ends with 'Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken.' God's word is as sure as His character. What He declares comes to pass.
Five-point outline
- Impending judgment is described vividly. The caravans in the thickets, the drawn sword, the bent bow, this is not abstract but concrete disaster.
- Human compassion in crisis. Tema's provision of water and bread shows that even in judgment, kindness emerges. It is a call for believers to care for the fleeing and vulnerable.
- Time is measured precisely. 'Within a year, as a hired worker would count it', God's timing is exact. He does not delay beyond what He has appointed.
- Strength is no guarantee. Kedar's archers were renowned, yet they become few. Military might cannot withstand God's decree.
- God's sovereignty over history. The phrase 'the Lord God of Israel has spoken' brackets the entire oracle. History belongs to Him.
Illustration hooks
- A sudden corporate collapse. A once-flourishing industry or company that vanishes within a year, that is the feeling of Kedar's fall. It reminds us that human power is borrowed.
- Refugees on the move. The image of caravans hiding in the thickets parallels modern stories of families fleeing war with only what they can carry. The scene of Tema bringing water is a picture of practical compassion.
- A precise deadline. Contract workers count the days until their term ends. God gives a similar countdown for Kedar, showing that He works within real time and history.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does God judge nations that have never heard of Him? Does this chapter imply that all people are accountable to Israel's God?
- How can we trust prophecies about the future when we see the world in chaos? What does the fulfilled judgment on Arabia tell us about God's reliability?
- What does hospitality to strangers look like today when we know that the world includes many 'fugitives' fleeing violence?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows God's sovereignty over nations far from Israel. It challenges us to consider how we view security and our responsibility to the vulnerable. As you discuss, keep in mind that the same Lord who judged Kedar also welcomes all who flee to Him for mercy.
Discussion questions
- What stands out to you about the description of the Dedanite caravans? Why do you think God draws this picture?
- How does Tema's response to the fugitives surprise you? What does it teach us about God's heart for the needy, even in judgment?
- The prophecy gives a specific timeframe: 'within a year.' Why do you think God includes this detail? What does it say about His control over events?
- Kedar was known for its archers and warriors. How does the promise that they will be 'few' challenge human boasting in strength?
- The oracle ends with 'Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken.' What does this phrase add to the weight of the prophecy?
- How does this passage speak to our own dependence on economic or military security?
- In what ways can our group show practical hospitality to people who are 'fleeing' hardship today?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 25:3 | Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. |
| I Kings 10:15 | in addition to that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants, and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the country. |
| I Chronicles 1:9 | The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. |
| I Chronicles 1:32 | The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan. |
| Isaiah 13:1 | The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw. |
| Isaiah 13:20 | It will never be inhabited, neither will it be lived in from generation to generation. The Arabian will not pitch a tent there, neither will shepherds make their flocks lie down there. |
| Jeremiah 25:23 | Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who have the corners of their beard cut off; |
| Jeremiah 25:24 | and all the kings of Arabia, all the kings of the mixed people who dwell in the wilderness; |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues the title "The burden upon Arabia" was likely a scribal note mistakenly added to the text. He follows the Septuagint and Chaldee in reading the Hebrew as "in the forest, in the evening," rather than as a proper name, making the prophecy more specific.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes argues that the prophecy foretells a foreign invasion of Arabia, likely by Sennacherib, coming within a year. He points out that the word translated "forest" probably means a rough, stony, impassable place, not a wooded area, where caravans and fugitives would seek refuge from the advancing enemy.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin rejects the interpretation that Isaiah mocks the Arabians for their cruelty. He argues the call to bring water to the thirsty instead highlights their desperate need, appealing to the common law of humanity. The prophecy also comforts the godly by showing God’
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible treats this oracle as a vision of a Dedanite merchant caravan forced by war to abandon the trade route and hide in barren country, where it receives help from the tribe of Tema. The vision symbolises a swift destruction of the nomadic Arabs, which the commentator connects to the Persian conquest of Babylon and links with Jeremiah’s similar threat against Edom.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes emphasize the precise timing and certainty of God's judgment on Arabia and Kedar. The prophecy gives a fixed period of one year, after which Kedar's glory will collapse and its skilled archers will be reduced to a handful, all because God himself has declared it.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill identifies the Arabian tribes as descendants of Abraham and Ishmael, naming Dedanim, Tema, and Kedar. He stresses that their judgment would arrive exactly within one year, as fixed as a hired worker’s term. Their glory—flocks, tents, and archers—would fail because the Lord God of Israel had spoken it.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown identify the specific Arabian tribes and highlight the region's lack of forests, only thick underbrush. They note that giving water and bread to fugitives was the highest act of hospitality in lands where water is precious, and anticipate that the remnant of Arab warriors will be small.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues the Hebrew word "ba'erev" carries a deliberate double meaning: "in Arabia" and "in the evening." He believes the prophet used this wordplay to signal that Arabia, like the setting sun, would soon experience decline and darkness rather than rising fortune.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that the Jews had counted on hardy Arabian tribes as a buffer against eastern enemies, so this judgment was meant to shake that trust. The oracle foretells that prosperous caravans will be driven into hiding and Kedar's military glory will end within a fixed year, a message from Israel's God that cannot fail.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley interprets the prophecy as a precise, year-long judgment on Arabia. The "forest" signifies the land becoming a wilderness, while fleeing caravans from Dedan and Tema illustrate the scarcity caused by an Assyrian invasion. The complete destruction of their glory would occur within that exact timeframe.