Isaiah 21:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To the thirsty bring water; meet the fugitive with bread, O inhabitants of the land of Tema.

NIV: bring water for the thirsty; you who live in Tema, bring food for the fugitives.

NASB: Bring water for the thirsty, You inhabitants of the land of Tema; Meet the fugitive with bread.

CSB: Bring water for the thirsty. The inhabitants of the land of Tema meet the refugees with food.

NLT: O people of Tema, bring water to these thirsty people, food to these weary refugees.

KJV: The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.

NKJV: O inhabitants of the land of Tema, Bring water to him who is thirsty; With their bread they met him who fled.

The prophecy against Arabia describes the region suffering from extended conflicts between other nations. Isaiah has described the caravans of Dedanite merchants (Genesis 25:3) being forced to take refuge away from the open roads (Isaiah 21:13). Since they are unable to publicly travel to the oasis towns due to the risk of attack from Assyrians and others, they become desperately thirsty.

Isaiah calls on the people of the town of Tema, also in northwestern Arabia, to help. He asks for water and bread for the Dedanites. Scholars believe Tema to be the oasis city of Tayma. This city was situated at the intersection of three trade routes, making it a prosperous and highly desirable location. During times of conflict, it was often conquered and occupied or forced into tribute by foreign invaders.

Apparently, the people of Tema are, or would be, well enough off to go out into the dense growth and provide bread and water for these refugees on the run. Many people in the ancient Near East took the responsibility to provide for refugees very seriously.

Chapter 21:13–17 contains Isaiah's oracle from the Lord various tribes of Arabia (Jeremiah 24:23–24). Due to conflicts in the region, the descendants of Dedan (Genesis 25:3) will become refugees. They will be forced to move their caravans off the main roads and hide in the thickets. Isaiah calls for the people of wealthy Tema to bring them food and water in their distress. Within a year, the glory of the people of Kedar will be ended and most of their warriors wiped out. Isaiah is certain this will happen because the Lord has spoken. What the Lord says will happen, will happen.

This chapter delivers oracles against three people groups. Isaiah is terrified to the point of physical pain by the vision he sees. God reveals the terrible things coming for Babylon. Isaiah answers the Lord's call to be a watchman. When he sees the arrival of riders approaching the city, he announces that Babylon has fallen. The oracle against Dumah presents a question from an Edomite with an unsatisfying answer. The oracle against Arabia pictures starving refugees that must be fed and declares that the warriors of Kedar will be nearly wiped out within a year.

Earlier chapters included prophecies about nations such as Aram, Egypt, and Cush. Chapter 21 presents three more oracles against Israel's regional neighbors. What Isaiah sees is so horrific that he suffers intense physical pain just from watching. He answers the call to be a watchman, eventually announcing that Babylon has fallen. An oracle against Dumah provides no real answer to the question of how long the night of suffering will continue for Edom. Arabia, too, will suffer at the hand of powerful regional forces. Next is a prophecy about Jerusalem.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 5/2/2024 4:18:00 PM