The prophecy is continued with the conjunction "for" (ci). The tacit link in the train of thought is this: they act thus in Babylon, because the destruction of Babylon is determined. The form in which this thought is embodied is the following: the prophet receives instruction in the vision to set a metzappeh upon the watch-tower, who was to look out and see what more took place. "For thus said the Lord to me, Go, set a spy; what he seeth, let him declare." In other cases it is the prophet himself who stands upon the watch-tower (Isaiah 21:11; Habakkuk 2:1-2); but here in the vision a distinction is made between the prophet and the person whom he stations upon the watch-tower (specula). The prophet divides himself, as it were, into two persons (compare Isaiah 18:4 for the introduction; and for the expression "go," Isaiah 20:2). He now sees through the medium of a spy, just as Zechariah sees by means of the angel speaking in him; with this difference, however, that here the spy is the instrument employed by the prophet, whereas there the prophet is the instrument employed by the angel.

Isaiah 21:12 Parallel Commentaries

the morning

Isaiah 17:14 And behold at evening trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us...

Jeremiah 50:27 Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe to them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

Ezekiel 7:5-7,10,12 Thus said the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come...

if

Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him...

Jeremiah 42:19-22 The LORD has said concerning you, O you remnant of Judah; Go you not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day...

Exodus 14:1-6 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying...

Acts 2:37,38 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brothers...

Acts 17:19,20 And they took him, and brought him to Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof you speak, is...

Acts 17:30-32 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent...