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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 21:12 The watchman replies, "Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/21-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/23_Isa_21_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 21:12 - An Oracle Concerning Edom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The watchman replies, Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. 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If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but night will soon return. If you wish to ask again, then come back and ask.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The watchman says: “Morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; come back again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The watchman said, “The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; Return! Come back!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The watchman says, “Morning comes but also night. If you would inquire, inquire; Come back again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The watchman says, &#8220Morning comes but also night. If you would inquire, inquire; Come back again.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The watchman says, “Morning comes but also night. If you would inquire, inquire; Come back again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The watchman says, “Morning comes but also night. If you would inquire, inquire; Come back again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The watchman says, “The morning comes [only briefly], but also [comes] the night [of Babylonian oppression]. If you would ask [of me then], ask [again, if Edom really wishes to know]; Come back again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The watchman said, “Morning has come, and also night. If you want to ask, ask! Come back again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The watchman said,&#8221 Morning has come, and also night. If you want to ask, ask! Come back again.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: turn ye, come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />From my guard post, I answered, "Morning will soon be here, but night will return. If you want to know more, come back later."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: turn ye, come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The watchman answers, "Morning is coming, and night will come again. If you need to ask, come back and ask."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I answer, "Morning is coming, but night will come again. If you want to ask again, come back and ask."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The watchman replies: 'Morning is coming, but also the night. If you want to ask, then ask; come back again.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The watchman replies, ?Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but then night. If you want to ask, ask; come back again." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The watchman said, "The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire. Come back again."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The watchman said, “The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire. Come back again.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The watchman has said, “Morning has come, and also night, "" If you inquire, inquire, return, come.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The watchman hath said, 'Come hath morning, and also night, If ye inquire, inquire ye, turn back, come.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The watch said, I will mark out morning, and also night; if ye will seek, seek ye: turn back, come.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The watchman said: The morning cometh, also the night: if you seek, seek: return, come. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The watchman said: “Morning approaches with the night. If you are seeking: seek, and convert, and approach.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The watchman replies, “Morning has come, and again night. If you will ask, ask; come back again.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The sentinel says: “Morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; come back again.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The watchman says, The morning comes, and also the night; if you will inquire, inquire; you will come back again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The Watchman said "The dawn comes, also the night. If you seek, seek. You are coming again!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The watchman said: 'The morning cometh, and also the night-- If ye will inquire, inquire ye; return, come.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I watch in the morning and the night: if thou wouldest enquire, enquire, and dwell by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/21-12.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=4296" 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">An Oracle Concerning Edom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11</span>This is the burden against Dumah: One calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?” <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šō·mêr (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">The watchman</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replies,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1242.htm" title="1242: ḇō·qer (N-ms) -- Morn- ing. From baqar; properly, dawn; generally, morning.">“Morning</a> <a href="/hebrew/857.htm" title="857: ’ā·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To come. Or matha; a primitive root; to arrive.">has come,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">but also</a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: lā·yə·lāh (N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">the night.</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/1158.htm" title="1158: tiḇ·‘ā·yūn (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- A primitive root; to gush over, i.e. To swell; to desire earnestly; by implication to ask.">you would inquire,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1158.htm" title="1158: bə·‘ā·yū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; to gush over, i.e. To swell; to desire earnestly; by implication to ask.">then inquire.</a> <a href="/hebrew/857.htm" title="857: ’ê·ṯā·yū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To come. Or matha; a primitive root; to arrive.">Come back</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šu·ḇū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">yet again.”</a> </span><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="/psalms/130-6.htm">Psalm 130:6</a></span><br />My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning—more than watchmen wait for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-6.htm">Matthew 25:6</a></span><br />At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-12.htm">Romans 13:12</a></span><br />The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a></span><br />So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-16.htm">Revelation 22:16</a></span><br />“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/30-5.htm">Psalm 30:5</a></span><br />For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-4.htm">John 9:4</a></span><br />While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-38.htm">Luke 12:38</a></span><br />Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-35.htm">Mark 13:35</a></span><br />Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/1-19.htm">2 Peter 1:19</a></span><br />We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-147.htm">Psalm 119:147</a></span><br />I rise before dawn and cry for help; in Your word I have put my hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Proverbs 4:18</a></span><br />The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-23.htm">Lamentations 3:23</a></span><br />They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-3.htm">Hosea 6:3</a></span><br />So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/3-5.htm">Zephaniah 3:5</a></span><br />The LORD within her is righteous; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the unjust know no shame.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The watchman said, The morning comes, and also the night: if you will inquire, inquire you: return, come.</p><p class="hdg">the morning</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/17-14.htm">Isaiah 17:14</a></b></br> And behold at eveningtide trouble; <i>and</i> before the morning he <i>is</i> not. This <i>is</i> the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/50-27.htm">Jeremiah 50:27</a></b></br> Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/7-5.htm">Ezekiel 7:5-7,10,12</a></b></br> Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come… </p><p class="hdg">if</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a></b></br> Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/42-19.htm">Jeremiah 42:19-22</a></b></br> The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/14-1.htm">Exodus 14:1-6</a></b></br> And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-10.htm">Enquire</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-14.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-11.htm">Night</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-10.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-17.htm">Replies</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-22.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-11.htm">Watchman</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/21-2.htm">Enquire</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-9.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-13.htm">Night</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-28.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-17.htm">Replies</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-4.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm">Watchman</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>The watchman replies</b><br>In ancient times, watchmen were stationed on city walls to observe and report any approaching danger. Spiritually, watchmen symbolize prophets or spiritual leaders who are vigilant and provide guidance. Isaiah, acting as a watchman, delivers God's message to the people, emphasizing the importance of being alert to spiritual truths and warnings.<p><b>“Morning has come, but also the night.”</b><br>This phrase suggests a duality of hope and impending judgment. Morning symbolizes hope, renewal, and the coming of God's light, while night represents darkness, uncertainty, and potential judgment. This duality reflects the tension between God's promises of salvation and the reality of impending judgment for those who do not heed His warnings. It echoes the theme of light and darkness found throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a>, where light shines in the darkness.<p><b>If you would inquire, then inquire.</b><br>This invitation to inquire suggests openness to seeking understanding and truth. It encourages the listener to actively seek God's wisdom and guidance. The repetition emphasizes the importance of persistence in seeking divine insight, akin to the call in <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> to ask God for wisdom.<p><b>Come back yet again.</b><br>This phrase implies the necessity of continual seeking and returning to God for guidance. It suggests that understanding and spiritual insight are not one-time events but require ongoing pursuit. This aligns with the biblical theme of perseverance in faith, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/10-36.htm">Hebrews 10:36</a>, where believers are encouraged to endure and remain steadfast in their pursuit of God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/w/watchman.htm">Watchman</a></b><br>A symbolic figure representing a prophet or someone who is vigilant and alert to the spiritual and moral state of the people. In this context, the watchman delivers a message of both hope and warning.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/morning.htm">Morning</a></b><br>Symbolically represents hope, renewal, and the coming of God's light and truth. It signifies a new beginning or a time of deliverance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/night.htm">Night</a></b><br>Represents darkness, uncertainty, or judgment. It can symbolize a period of trial or difficulty that is either present or impending.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/inquiry.htm">Inquiry</a></b><br>The act of seeking understanding or guidance. It implies a desire for knowledge or insight into God's will or the future.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/return.htm">Return</a></b><br>A call to repentance or to seek God repeatedly. It suggests persistence in seeking divine guidance and understanding.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/v/vigilance_and_readiness.htm">Vigilance and Readiness</a></b><br>Just as the watchman is alert, Christians are called to be spiritually vigilant, discerning the times, and ready for Christ's return.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_darkness.htm">Hope Amidst Darkness</a></b><br>Even when facing trials or judgment (night), believers can hold onto the hope of God's deliverance and renewal (morning).<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/persistent_seeking.htm">Persistent Seeking</a></b><br>The call to "inquire" and "come back yet again" encourages believers to continually seek God's guidance and wisdom, especially in uncertain times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_return.htm">Repentance and Return</a></b><br>The invitation to return suggests the importance of repentance and turning back to God, emphasizing His readiness to receive those who seek Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balance_of_judgment_and_mercy.htm">Balance of Judgment and Mercy</a></b><br>The dual message of morning and night reflects the balance of God's judgment and mercy, reminding believers of the need to live righteously while trusting in His grace.<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_is_god_fearsome_in_exodus_19.htm">Why is God depicted as a physical, fearsome presence in Exodus 19, but more abstractly and intimately in other biblical passages?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_confirm_isaiah_21_11-12_on_dumah.htm">How can Isaiah 21:11-12's prophecy concerning Dumah be confirmed when archaeological evidence about its fate is so limited?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/reconcile_'morning_star'_in_rev_2_28_and_isa_14_12.htm">Revelation 2:28 - How do we reconcile Jesus promising the 'morning star' here with Isaiah 14:12's use of the same term for Lucifer, and does it pose a biblical inconsistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/judges_19__how_to_reconcile_with_divine_justice.htm">Judges 19--How do we reconcile this brutal event with the portrayal of divine justice and compassion found in other parts of the Bible?</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>(12) <span class= "bld">If ye will enquire . . .</span>--The words pre-suppose a craving to know the meaning of the mysterious oracle just given. The prophet declines to answer. If they like to ask, they may, and return and go back after a bootless journey. Some interpreters, however. have seen in the "return" a call to repentance like that conveyed by the same word in <a href="/jeremiah/3-22.htm" title="Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come to you; for you are the LORD our God.">Jeremiah 3:22</a>, but hardly on sufficient grounds. We should, in that case, have expected "return to Jehovah."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The morning cometh, and also the night</span>. An oracular reply, but probably meaning <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> that a brighter time would soon dawn upon the Edomite people; and <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> that this brighter time would be followed by a return of misery and affliction. We may (conjecturally) understand the "morning" of the earlier part of Sennacherib's reign, when Edom was at peace with Assyria, merely paying a moderate tribute (G. Smith, 'Eponym Canon,' p. 132), and the "night" of the later period in the same king's reign, when (about <span class="date">B.C. 694-690</span>) the country suffered from another Assyrian invasion, in which the king's treasures and his gods were carried off to Nineveh (ibid., p. 137<span class="cmt_word">). If ye will inquire, inquire ye</span>; return, come. Some take this very literally, as meaning, "<span class="accented">If</span> ye would inquire further into the meaning of this answer, do so; return to me; come again." But this implies that the Edomites had sent an actual messenger to make the inquiry of ver. 5, which is improbable. Others understand a reproach to Edom: "If ye will have recourse to God in the time of trouble, do so; but then do more - return to him altogether; come, and be one with Judah." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/21-12.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">The watchman</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁמֵ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(šō·mêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replies,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Morning</span><br /><span class="heb">בֹ֖קֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ḇō·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1242.htm">Strong's 1242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dawn, morning</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has come,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָתָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_857.htm">Strong's 857: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but also</span><br /><span class="heb">וְגַם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḡam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the night.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֑יְלָה</span> <span class="translit">(lā·yə·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> </span><span class="str2">A twist, night, adversity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you would inquire,</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּבְעָי֥וּן</span> <span class="translit">(tiḇ·‘ā·yūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1158.htm">Strong's 1158: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gush over, to swell, to desire earnestly, to ask</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then inquire!</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעָ֖יוּ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ā·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1158.htm">Strong's 1158: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gush over, to swell, to desire earnestly, to ask</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Come back</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵתָֽיוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ṯā·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_857.htm">Strong's 857: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yet again.”</span><br /><span class="heb">שֻׁ֥בוּ</span> <span class="translit">(šu·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/21-12.htm">Isaiah 21:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/21-12.htm">Isaiah 21:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/21-12.htm">Isaiah 21:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/21-12.htm">Isaiah 21:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/21-12.htm">Isaiah 21:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/21-12.htm">Isaiah 21:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/21-12.htm">Isaiah 21:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/21-12.htm">Isaiah 21:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/21-12.htm">Isaiah 21:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/21-12.htm">Isaiah 21:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/21-12.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 21:12 The watchman said The morning comes (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/21-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 21:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 21:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/21-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 21:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 21:13" /></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>