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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 21:15 For they flee from the sword--the sword that is drawn--from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/21-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/23_Isa_21_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 21:15 - A Prophecy Against Arabia" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For they flee from the sword--the sword that is drawn--from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.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/21-14.htm" title="Isaiah 21:14">◄</a> Isaiah 21:15 <a href="/isaiah/21-16.htm" title="Isaiah 21:16">►</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 />They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They have fled from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and the terrors of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For they have fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the press of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they flee from the sword—the sword that is drawn—from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, From the bent bow, and from the distress of war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they have fled from the swords, From the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, And from the press of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For they have fled from the swords, From the drawn sword, and from the bent bow And from the press of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For they have fled from the swords, From the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, And from the press of battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For they have fled from the swords, From the drawn sword, and from the bent bow And from the heaviness of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For they have fled from the swords, From the drawn sword, from the bent bow And from the press of battle <i>and</i> grief of war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they have fled from swords, from the drawn sword, from the bow that is strung, and from the stress of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they have fled from swords, from the drawn sword, from the bow that is strung, and from the stress of battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They are worn out and weary from being chased by enemies with swords and arrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They flee from swords, from swords ready to kill, from bows ready to shoot, and from the thick of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For he has fled from swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the heat of battle."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they flee from the sword?the sword that is drawn?from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For they flee from the swords--from the drawn sword and from the battle-ready bow and from the severity of the battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the heat of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the heat of battle. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For they fled from the face of destructions, "" From the face of an outstretched sword, "" And from the face of a trodden bow, "" And from the face of the grievousness of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For they fled from the face of the swords, the sword drawn out, and from the face of the bent bow, and from the face of the heaviness of war.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For they are fleeing before the face of swords, before the face of a sword hanging over them, before the face of a bent bow, before the face of a grievous battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For they have fled from the sword, from the drawn sword; From the taut bow, from the thick of battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For they have fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the stress of battle.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For they have fled from the swords, from the drawn sword and from the bent bow and from the grievousness of war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because they are scattered from before the sword and from before the point of a poisoned arrow, and from before the full bow, and from before the strength of war<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, And from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />meet the fugitives with bread, because of the multitude of the slain, and because of the multitude of them that lose their way, and because of the multitude of swords, and because of the multitude of bent bows, and because of the multitude of them that have fallen in war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/21-15.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=4323" 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">A Prophecy Against Arabia</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>Bring water for the thirsty, O dwellers of Tema; meet the refugees with food. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/5074.htm" title="5074: nā·ḏā·ḏū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to wave to and fro; figuratively, to rove, flee, or to drive away.">they flee</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê (Prep-m:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥă·rā·ḇō·wṯ (N-fp) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">the sword—</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê (Prep-m:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥe·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">the sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/5203.htm" title="5203: nə·ṭū·šāh (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to pound, i.e. Smite; by implication to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon.">that is drawn—</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: ū·mip·pə·nê (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/7198.htm" title="7198: qe·šeṯ (N-fs) -- A bow. From qashah in the original sense of bending: a bow, for shooting or the iris.">the bow</a> <a href="/hebrew/1869.htm" title="1869: də·rū·ḵāh (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fs) -- To tread, march. A primitive root; to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow.">that is bent,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: ū·mip·pə·nê (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">and from</a> <a href="/hebrew/3514.htm" title="3514: kō·ḇeḏ (N-msc) -- Heaviness, mass. From kabad; weight, multitude, vehemence.">the stress</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: mil·ḥā·māh (N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">of battle.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>For 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.…<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="/jeremiah/49-28.htm">Jeremiah 49:28-33</a></span><br />Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east! / They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’ / Run! Escape quickly! Lie low, O residents of Hazor,” declares the LORD, “for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has drawn up a plan against you; he has devised a strategy against you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-23.htm">Jeremiah 25:23-24</a></span><br />Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who cut the corners of their hair; / all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mixed tribes who dwell in the desert;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/25-13.htm">Ezekiel 25:13-14</a></span><br />therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/1-13.htm">Amos 1:13-15</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their territory. / So I will kindle a fire in the walls of Rabbah to consume its citadels amid war cries on the day of battle and a violent wind on the day of tempest. / Their king will go into exile—he and his princes together,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/24-2.htm">2 Kings 24:2</a></span><br />And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim in order to destroy Judah, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-17.htm">2 Chronicles 36:17</a></span><br />So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-6.htm">Psalm 83:6-8</a></span><br />the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, / of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. / Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/6-19.htm">Job 6:19-20</a></span><br />The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it. / They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-14.htm">Genesis 25:14-16</a></span><br />Mishma, Dumah, Massa, / Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. / These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments—twelve princes of their tribes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/2-4.htm">Deuteronomy 2:4-5</a></span><br />and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful. / Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13-15</a></span><br />When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-16.htm">Matthew 24:16-18</a></span><br />then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-21.htm">Luke 21:21-22</a></span><br />Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-1.htm">Acts 8:1-4</a></span><br />And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. / God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. / But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/11-19.htm">Acts 11:19</a></span><br />Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.</p><p class="hdg">from the swords.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/6-19.htm">Job 6:19,20</a></b></br> The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/16-9.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-3.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-4.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/107-20.htm">Destructions</a> <a href="/isaiah/12-3.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-20.htm">Face</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-14.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-6.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-14.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Grievousness</a> <a href="/isaiah/18-4.htm">Heat</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-3.htm">Press</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-3.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-27.htm">Stretched-Out</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-30.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/isaiah/18-7.htm">Trodden</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-14.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-1.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/22-2.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-23.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-3.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/9-6.htm">Destructions</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-9.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-17.htm">Face</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-3.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-16.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-3.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Grievousness</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-4.htm">Heat</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-2.htm">Press</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">Stretched-Out</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-2.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-40.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-10.htm">Trodden</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-5.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-17.htm">War</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>For they flee from the sword—</b><br>This phrase indicates a sense of urgency and desperation. In the context of <a href="/isaiah/21.htm">Isaiah 21</a>, the prophecy is directed towards the fall of Babylon, but this specific verse is part of an oracle concerning Arabia. The sword represents imminent danger and judgment. Historically, the sword is a common symbol of warfare and divine judgment throughout the Bible, as seen in passages like <a href="/ezekiel/21-9.htm">Ezekiel 21:9-10</a>, where the sword is sharpened for slaughter. The fleeing suggests a people in distress, possibly the Dedanites or other Arabian tribes, who are escaping the impending invasion.<p><b>the sword that is drawn—</b><br>The drawn sword emphasizes readiness for battle and the immediacy of the threat. In biblical times, a drawn sword was a clear sign of impending conflict. This imagery is used in other scriptures, such as in <a href="/numbers/22-23.htm">Numbers 22:23</a>, where Balaam's donkey sees the angel of the Lord with a drawn sword. It signifies that the threat is not just potential but active and present. The drawn sword can also symbolize God's judgment being executed, as seen in <a href="/1_chronicles/21-16.htm">1 Chronicles 21:16</a>.<p><b>from the bow that is bent,</b><br>The bent bow represents preparation for attack, highlighting the tension and potential for violence. In ancient warfare, the bow was a primary weapon, and a bent bow indicates that it is ready to release its arrow. This imagery is used in <a href="/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12</a>, where God is depicted as a warrior who prepares His weapons against the wicked. The bow being bent suggests that the threat is not only from close combat but also from a distance, adding to the sense of inescapability.<p><b>and from the stress of battle.</b><br>The stress of battle conveys the chaos and fear associated with warfare. It reflects the psychological and physical toll on those involved. In the broader biblical narrative, battle often symbolizes spiritual warfare and the struggles faced by God's people. <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a> speaks of the spiritual battle against the forces of evil. The stress of battle here can also be seen as a metaphor for the trials and tribulations faced by believers, reminding them of the need for reliance on God's strength and protection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet who authored the book, delivering messages from God to the people of Judah and surrounding nations.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/arabia.htm">Arabia</a></b><br>The region being addressed in this chapter, specifically the tribes of Dedan, Tema, and Kedar.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sword.htm">The Sword</a></b><br>Symbolic of impending judgment and warfare, representing the threat from invading forces.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_bow.htm">The Bow</a></b><br>Another symbol of warfare, indicating the readiness and capability of the enemy.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_stress_of_battle.htm">The Stress of Battle</a></b><br>Describes the fear and urgency experienced by those fleeing from conflict.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_judgment.htm">The Reality of Judgment</a></b><br>God's warnings through Isaiah remind us that divine judgment is real and inevitable for those who do not turn to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_repentance.htm">The Urgency of Repentance</a></b><br>The imagery of fleeing from the sword and bow underscores the urgency with which we should approach repentance and turning back to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_warfare.htm">God's Sovereignty in Warfare</a></b><br>The passage illustrates that God is in control of nations and their destinies, using even warfare to accomplish His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_preparedness.htm">Spiritual Preparedness</a></b><br>Just as the physical battle is imminent for the people in Isaiah's time, believers today must be spiritually prepared for the battles they face.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_protection.htm">Trust in God's Protection</a></b><br>While the passage depicts fear and fleeing, believers are reminded to trust in God's protection and provision, as seen in other scriptures.<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/why_do_wars_contradict_a_peaceful_god.htm">Why do religious wars contradict a God of peace?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/summarize_the_exodus_from_egypt..htm">What does the Bible say about gun confiscation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_judges_7_contradict_1_chron_21.htm">Why does Judges 7 seemingly contradict other biblical passages that emphasize the need for adequate numbers in battle (e.g., 1 Chronicles 21:1-5)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_war.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on war?</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>(15) <span class= "bld">For they fled from the swords.</span>--The fourfold repetition of the somewhat full form of the Hebrew preposition (literally, <span class= "ital">from the face of</span>) seems as if intended to emphasise the several stages of retreat.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For they fled</span>; rather, <span class="accented">they have fled</span>. The Dedanites have been attacked with sword and bow, and have fled from their assailants. Probably the enemy was Assyria, but no trace of the war has been found on the Assyrian monuments. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/21-15.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">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they flee</span><br /><span class="heb">נָדָ֑דוּ</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ḏā·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5074.htm">Strong's 5074: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wave to and fro, to rove, flee, to drive away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מִפְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mip·pə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sword,</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲרָב֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·rā·ḇō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sword</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶ֣רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that is drawn,</span><br /><span class="heb">נְטוּשָׁ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ṭū·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5203.htm">Strong's 5203: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pound, smite, to disperse, to thrust off, down, out, upon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִפְּנֵי֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mip·pə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the bow</span><br /><span class="heb">קֶ֣שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(qe·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7198.htm">Strong's 7198: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bow, for, shooting, the iris</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that is bent,</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּרוּכָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(də·rū·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1869.htm">Strong's 1869: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, to walk, to string a, bow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and from</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִפְּנֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mip·pə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the stress</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֥בֶד</span> <span class="translit">(kō·ḇeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3514.htm">Strong's 3514: </a> </span><span class="str2">Weight, multitude, vehemence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of battle.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלְחָמָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(mil·ḥā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> </span><span class="str2">A battle, war</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/21-15.htm">Isaiah 21:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/21-15.htm">Isaiah 21:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/21-15.htm">Isaiah 21:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/21-15.htm">Isaiah 21:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/21-15.htm">Isaiah 21:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/21-15.htm">Isaiah 21:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/21-15.htm">Isaiah 21:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/21-15.htm">Isaiah 21:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/21-15.htm">Isaiah 21:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/21-15.htm">Isaiah 21:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/21-15.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 21:15 For they fled away from the swords (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/21-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 21:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 21:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/21-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 21:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 21:16" /></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>