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Isaiah 21:7
ESV When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, let him listen diligently, very diligently."
NIV When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert."
NASB When he sees a column of chariots, horsemen in pairs, A train of donkeys, a train of camels, He is to pay close attention, very close attention.'
CSB When he sees riders— pairs of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels— he must pay close attention."
NLT He should look for chariots drawn by pairs of horses, and for riders on donkeys and camels. Let the watchman be fully alert.'
KJV And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:
NKJV And he saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen, A chariot of donkeys, and a chariot of camels, And he listened earnestly with great care.

What does Isaiah 21:7 mean?

The Lord has called for a watchman to be stationed on the walls to report what he sees coming (Isaiah 21:6). In a sense, Isaiah himself may be that person standing on the walls of Jerusalem waiting for word to arrive that Babylon has fallen. Or he is calling for the watchmen in Babylon to keep a lookout for the enemy threat to arrive.

Now he instructs the watchman to be fully on alert when he sees riders and horsemen approaching the city in pairs. Whether those riders are on donkeys, horses, or camels, he should listen very closely to what they report.

The prophet may have been describing the approach of the enemy warriors toward the walls of Babylon as if he were seeing it in his vision. It is difficult to know exactly since the entire oracle in chapter 21 is almost delivered as if it were a dream. The precise details matter less than the overall message of dread and suffering at the judgment to come.
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