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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 21:1 This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/21-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/23_Isa_21_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 21:1 - Babylon is Fallen" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/21-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/21-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/20-6.htm" title="Isaiah 20:6">◄</a> Isaiah 21:1 <a href="/isaiah/21-2.htm" title="Isaiah 21:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A prophecy against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />This message came to me concerning Babylon—the desert by the sea: Disaster is roaring down on you from the desert, like a whirlwind sweeping in from the Negev.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negeb sweep on, it comes from the wilderness, from a terrible land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; <i>so</i> it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The burden against the Wilderness of the Sea. As whirlwinds in the South pass through, <i>So</i> it comes from the desert, from a terrible land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The pronouncement concerning the wilderness of the sea: As windstorms in the Negev come in turns, It comes from the wilderness, from a terrifying land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As windstorms in the Negev sweep on, It comes from the wilderness, from a terrifying land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As windstorms in the Negev sweep on, It comes from the wilderness, from a terrifying land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negev sweep on, It comes from the wilderness, from a fearsome land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The [mournful, inspired] oracle (a burden to be carried) concerning the Desert of the Sea (the seasonally flooded plains just south of Babylon): As windstorms in the Negev (the South) sweep through, So it (God’s judgment) comes from the desert, from [the hostile armies of] a terrifying land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A pronouncement concerning the desert by the sea: Like storms that pass over the Negev, it comes from the desert, from the land of terror.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />An oracle against the desert by the sea: Like storms that pass over the Negev, it comes from the desert, from the land of terror. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it cometh from the wilderness, from a terrible land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />This is a message about a desert beside the sea: Enemies from a hostile nation attack like a whirlwind from the Southern Desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it cometh from the wilderness, from a terrible land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />This is the divine revelation about the desert by the sea. Like a storm sweeping through the Negev, an invader will come from the desert, from a terrifying land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />This is a message about Babylonia. Like a whirlwind sweeping across the desert, disaster will come from a terrifying land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A message concerning the pasture by the Sea. "Like whirlwinds in the Negev sweep on, it comes from the desert, from a distant land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Here is a message about the Desert by the Sea: Like strong winds blowing in the south, one invades from the desert, from a land that is feared. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The oracle of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negev sweep through, it comes from the wilderness, from an awesome land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it comes from the wilderness, from an awesome land. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The burden of the wilderness of the sea. Like windstorms in the south for passing through, "" It has come from the wilderness, "" From a fearful land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The burden of the wilderness of the sea. 'Like hurricanes in the south for passing through, From the wilderness it hath come, From a fearful land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south for passing through, from the desert it came, from a fearful land.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />THE burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds come from the south, it cometh from the desert from a terrible land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The burden of the desert of the sea. Just as the whirlwinds approach from Africa, it approaches from the desert, from a terrible land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Oracle on the wastelands by the sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negeb, it comes from the desert, from the fearful land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negeb sweep on, it comes from the desert, from a terrible land.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />THE prophecy concerning the desert of the sea. As a whirlwind from the south, sweeping through from the wilderness; so it comes from a far off land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The burden of the wilderness of the sea: like a hurricane from the south it shall run from the wilderness and shall come from a distant land<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweeping on, It cometh from the wilderness, from a dreadful land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />THE VISION OF THE DESERT. As though a whirlwind should pass through the desert, coming from a desert, <i>even</i> from such a land,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/21-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=4174" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/21.htm">Babylon is Fallen</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4853.htm" title="4853: maś·śā (N-msc) -- From nasa'; a burden; specifically, tribute, or porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire.">This is the burden</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: miḏ·bar- (N-msc) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">against the Desert</a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: yām (N-ms) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river.">by the Sea:</a> <a href="/hebrew/5492.htm" title="5492: kə·sū·p̄ō·wṯ (Prep-k:: N-fp) -- A storm wind. From cuwph; a hurricane.">Like whirlwinds</a> <a href="/hebrew/2498.htm" title="2498: la·ḥă·lōp̄ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To pass on or away, pass through. A primitive root; properly, to slide by, i.e. to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change.">sweeping</a> <a href="/hebrew/5045.htm" title="5045: ban·ne·ḡeḇ (Prep-b, Art:: N-proper-fs) -- From an unused root meaning to be parched; the south; specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt.">through the Negev,</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">an invader comes</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: mim·miḏ·bār (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">from the desert,</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: mê·’e·reṣ (Prep-m:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">from a land</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: nō·w·rā·’āh (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">of terror.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-1.htm">Revelation 17:1</a></span><br />Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Revelation 18:2</a></span><br />And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-42.htm">Jeremiah 51:42</a></span><br />The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered in turbulent waves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-2.htm">Jeremiah 50:2</a></span><br />“Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/26-3.htm">Ezekiel 26:3</a></span><br />therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, O Tyre, I am against you, and I will raise up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-8.htm">Revelation 14:8</a></span><br />Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-13.htm">Jeremiah 51:13</a></span><br />You who dwell by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come; the thread of your life is cut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-36.htm">Jeremiah 51:36</a></span><br />Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance on your behalf; I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-1.htm">Nahum 1:1</a></span><br />This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-38.htm">Jeremiah 50:38</a></span><br />A drought is upon her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is a land of graven images, and the people go mad over idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/16-19.htm">Revelation 16:19</a></span><br />The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-1.htm">Jeremiah 51:1</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will stir up against Babylon and against the people of Leb-kamai the spirit of a destroyer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/27-26.htm">Ezekiel 27:26</a></span><br />Your oarsmen have brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind will shatter you in the heart of the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-21.htm">Revelation 18:21</a></span><br />Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Jeremiah 50:39</a></span><br />So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there and ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it comes from the desert, from a terrible land.</p><p class="hdg">the burden.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/13-1.htm">Isaiah 13:1</a></b></br> The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/17-1.htm">Isaiah 17:1</a></b></br> The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from <i>being</i> a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.</p><p class="hdg">the desert</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/13-20.htm">Isaiah 13:20-22</a></b></br> It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Isaiah 14:23</a></b></br> I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/51-42.htm">Jeremiah 51:42</a></b></br> The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.</p><p class="hdg">as whirlwinds</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/37-9.htm">Job 37:9</a></b></br> Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/11-40.htm">Daniel 11:40</a></b></br> And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/9-14.htm">Zechariah 9:14</a></b></br> And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.</p><p class="hdg">from</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/13-4.htm">Isaiah 13:4,5,17,18</a></b></br> The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/30-11.htm">Ezekiel 30:11</a></b></br> He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/31-12.htm">Ezekiel 31:12</a></b></br> And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/18-7.htm">Awesome</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-1.htm">Burden</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-1.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-12.htm">Dreadful</a> <a href="/songs/6-10.htm">Feared</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-22.htm">Fearful</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-13.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/daniel/11-16.htm">Invader</a> <a href="/psalms/126-4.htm">Negeb</a> <a href="/psalms/126-4.htm">Negev</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-1.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-17.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-13.htm">Rushing</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-6.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/songs/4-16.htm">South</a> <a href="/judges/1-15.htm">Southland</a> <a href="/psalms/50-3.htm">Storm-Winds</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Sweep</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-3.htm">Sweeping</a> <a href="/isaiah/18-7.htm">Terrible</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-33.htm">Terrifying</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-17.htm">Terror</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-5.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-14.htm">Whirlwinds</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-8.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-1.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/25-3.htm">Awesome</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-11.htm">Burden</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-13.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-18.htm">Dreadful</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-5.htm">Feared</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-23.htm">Fearful</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-20.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/daniel/11-16.htm">Invader</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-19.htm">Negeb</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-19.htm">Negev</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-11.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-2.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-6.htm">Rushing</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-2.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-6.htm">South</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-46.htm">Southland</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-14.htm">Storm-Winds</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-17.htm">Sweep</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-23.htm">Sweeping</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-3.htm">Terrible</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-11.htm">Terrifying</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-4.htm">Terror</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-1.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-14.htm">Whirlwinds</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-13.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-6.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/21-1.htm">The prophet, bewailing the captivity of his people, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/21-6.htm">sees in a vision the fall of Babylon by the Medes and Persians.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/21-11.htm">Edom, scorning the prophet, is moved to repentance.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/21-13.htm">The set time of Arabia's calamity.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea:</b><br>The term "burden" refers to a prophetic oracle or message of judgment. The "Desert by the Sea" is traditionally understood to refer to Babylon, which was situated near the Euphrates River and had desert regions surrounding it. This phrase indicates a divine pronouncement against Babylon, a significant power in the ancient Near East. Babylon's eventual downfall is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, symbolizing God's judgment against pride and idolatry.<p><b>Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev,</b><br>The Negev is a desert region in southern Israel known for its harsh, dry conditions and sudden, violent windstorms. The imagery of whirlwinds suggests a swift and destructive force, emphasizing the suddenness and intensity of the coming judgment. This metaphor highlights the unstoppable nature of God's plans and serves as a warning to those who oppose His will.<p><b>an invader comes from the desert,</b><br>The invader likely refers to the Medes and Persians, who historically conquered Babylon. The desert imagery underscores the unexpected and relentless nature of the attack. This aligns with the historical context of the Medo-Persian Empire's rise to power and their strategic military campaigns, which often involved surprise attacks from less anticipated directions.<p><b>from a land of terror.</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the fear and dread associated with the invading forces. The "land of terror" could refer to the harsh and formidable regions from which these invaders originate, underscoring the threat they pose. This serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God over nations and His ability to use even fearsome powers to accomplish His purposes. The prophecy also foreshadows the ultimate defeat of evil, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/desert_by_the_sea.htm">Desert by the Sea</a></b><br>This phrase is often interpreted as referring to Babylon, which, although not a literal desert, is symbolically described as such due to its impending desolation and judgment.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/w/whirlwinds.htm">Whirlwinds</a></b><br>These represent the swift and destructive force of the invading armies, possibly the Medes and Persians, who would conquer Babylon.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/negev.htm">Negev</a></b><br>A desert region in the southern part of Israel, used here metaphorically to describe the sudden and forceful nature of the invasion.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/invader.htm">Invader</a></b><br>The prophecy speaks of an invader coming from the desert, symbolizing the impending doom and judgment upon Babylon.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/l/land_of_terror.htm">Land of Terror</a></b><br>This refers to the origin of the invaders, emphasizing the fear and destruction they bring.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>The prophecy against Babylon demonstrates God's control over nations and history. He raises and brings down kingdoms according to His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_god's_word.htm">The Certainty of God's Word</a></b><br>Just as the prophecy against Babylon was fulfilled, we can trust that all of God's promises and warnings will come to pass.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_pride_and_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Pride and Idolatry</a></b><br>Babylon's fall serves as a warning against pride and reliance on worldly power and idolatry, reminding us to place our trust in God alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_swiftness_of_god's_justice.htm">The Swiftness of God's Justice</a></b><br>The imagery of whirlwinds and invaders highlights the suddenness with which God's judgment can come, urging us to live in readiness and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_deliverance.htm">Hope in God's Deliverance</a></b><br>While the prophecy speaks of judgment, it also points to the hope of deliverance for God's people, encouraging us to remain faithful amidst trials.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'desert_by_the_sea'_in_isaiah_21_1_real.htm">In Isaiah 21:1, how can a region described as “the desert by the sea” exist, and does historical or geographical evidence verify such a location? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_isaiah_35_with_no_changes.htm">If Isaiah 35 refers to literal transformations, how do we reconcile these claims with the lack of documented large-scale ecological changes in the region?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_adah_in_the_bible.htm">What is the Negev's biblical significance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_21_9_fit_history.htm">If Isaiah 21:9 declares “Babylon has fallen” before its documented fall in 539 BC, how do we reconcile this with the historical timeline? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><span class= "bld">XXI.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">The burden of the desert of the sea . . .</span>--The title of the prophecy is obviously taken from the catch-word of "the desert" that follows. The "sea" has been explained (1) as the Euphrates, just as in <a href="/isaiah/18-2.htm" title="That sends ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes on the waters, saying, Go, you swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning till now; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!">Isaiah 18:2</a>; <a href="/isaiah/19-5.htm" title="And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.">Isaiah 19:5</a>, it appears as used of the Nile (Cheyne). (2) As pointing to the surging flood of the mingled myriads of its population. (3) Xenophon's description of the whole plain of the Euphrates, intersected by marshes and lakes, as looking like a sea affords, perhaps, a better explanation.<p><span class= "bld">As whirlwinds in the south . . .</span>--The "South" (or <span class= "ital">Negeb</span>) is here, as elsewhere, the special name of the country lying south of Judah. The tempests of the region seem to have been proverbial (<a href="/zechariah/9-14.htm" title="And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.">Zechariah 9:14</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm" title="At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,">Jeremiah 4:11</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/13-24.htm" title="Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passes away by the wind of the wilderness.">Jeremiah 13:24</a>; <a href="/hosea/13-15.htm" title="Though he be fruitful among his brothers, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.">Hosea 13:15</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-10.</span> - THE BURDEN OF THE DESERT OF THE SEA. This is a short and somewhat vague, but highly poetic, "burden of Babylon" It is probably an earlier prophecy than <a href="/isaiah/13.htm">Isaiah 13</a>. and 14, and perhaps the first revelation made to Isaiah with respect to the fall of the great Chaldean capital. It exhibits no consciousness of the fact that Babylon is Judah's predestined destroyer, and is expressive rather of sympathy (vers. 3, 4) than of triumph. Among recent critics, some suppose it to refer to Sargon's capture of the city in <span class="date">B.C. 710</span>; but the objection to this view, from the entire absence of all reference to Assyria as the conquering power, and the mention of "Elam" and "Media" in her place, is absolutely fatal to it. There can be no reasonable doubt that the same siege is intended as in <a href="/isaiah/13.htm">Isaiah 13</a>, where also Media is mentioned (ver. 17); and there are no real grounds for questioning that the event of which the prophet is made cognizant is that siege and capture of Babylon by Cyrus the Great which destroyed the Babylonian empire. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The desert of the sea</span>. The Isaianic authorship of this title is doubtful, since "the desert of the sea" is an expression elsewhere wholly unknown to biblical writers. Some regard "the sea" as the Euphrates, in which case "the desert of the sea" may be the waste tract west of the Euphrates, extending thence to the eastern borders of Palestine. <span class="cmt_word">As whirlwinds in the south pass through</span>; rather, <span class="accented">as whirlwinds in the south country</span>, <span class="accented">sweeping along</span>. The "south country" is that immediately to the south of Judaea. Its liability to whirlwinds is noticed in <a href="/zechariah/9-14.htm">Zechariah 9:14</a> and in <a href="/job/37-9.htm">Job 37:9</a> (compare Major Palmer's 'Sinai,' p. 33). <span class="cmt_word">It cometh</span>. What cometh? Dr. Kay says, "God's visitation;" Rosenmüller, "a numerous army." But is it not rather the "grievous vision" of the next verse? <span class="cmt_word">From the desert.</span> The <span class="accented">great</span> desert bounding Palestine on the east - a truly "terrible land." Across this, as coming from Baby-Ionia to Palestine, seemed to rush the vision which it was given to the prophet to see. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/21-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">[This is] an oracle</span><br /><span class="heb">מַשָּׂ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(maś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4853.htm">Strong's 4853: </a> </span><span class="str2">A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">concerning the Desert</span><br /><span class="heb">מִדְבַּר־</span> <span class="translit">(miḏ·bar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by the Sea:</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(yām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3220.htm">Strong's 3220: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Like whirlwinds</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּסוּפ֤וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(kə·sū·p̄ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5492.htm">Strong's 5492: </a> </span><span class="str2">A storm wind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sweeping</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽחֲלֹ֔ף</span> <span class="translit">(la·ḥă·lōp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2498.htm">Strong's 2498: </a> </span><span class="str2">To slide by, to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce, change</span><br /><br /><span class="word">through the Negev,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּנֶּ֙גֶב֙</span> <span class="translit">(ban·ne·ḡeḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5045.htm">Strong's 5045: </a> </span><span class="str2">South country, the Negeb, south</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[an invader] comes</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֔א</span> <span class="translit">(bā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the desert,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמִּדְבָּ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(mim·miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from a land</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֶ֖רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of terror.</span><br /><span class="heb">נוֹרָאָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(nō·w·rā·’āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/21-1.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 21:1 The burden of the wilderness (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/20-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 20:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 20:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/21-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 21:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 21:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>