Isaiah 21:1
New International Version
A prophecy against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.

New Living Translation
This message came to me concerning Babylon—the desert by the sea: Disaster is roaring down on you from the desert, like a whirlwind sweeping in from the Negev.

English Standard Version
The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negeb sweep on, it comes from the wilderness, from a terrible land.

Berean Standard Bible
This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.

King James Bible
The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

New King James Version
The burden against the Wilderness of the Sea. As whirlwinds in the South pass through, So it comes from the desert, from a terrible land.

New American Standard Bible
The pronouncement concerning the wilderness of the sea: As windstorms in the Negev come in turns, It comes from the wilderness, from a terrifying land.

NASB 1995
The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As windstorms in the Negev sweep on, It comes from the wilderness, from a terrifying land.

NASB 1977
The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As windstorms in the Negev sweep on, It comes from the wilderness, from a terrifying land.

Legacy Standard Bible
The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negev sweep on, It comes from the wilderness, from a fearsome land.

Amplified Bible
The [mournful, inspired] oracle (a burden to be carried) concerning the Desert of the Sea (the seasonally flooded plains just south of Babylon): As windstorms in the Negev (the South) sweep through, So it (God’s judgment) comes from the desert, from [the hostile armies of] a terrifying land.

Christian Standard Bible
A pronouncement concerning the desert by the sea: Like storms that pass over the Negev, it comes from the desert, from the land of terror.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
An oracle against the desert by the sea: Like storms that pass over the Negev, it comes from the desert, from the land of terror.

American Standard Version
The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it cometh from the wilderness, from a terrible land.

Contemporary English Version
This is a message about a desert beside the sea: Enemies from a hostile nation attack like a whirlwind from the Southern Desert.

English Revised Version
The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it cometh from the wilderness, from a terrible land.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is the divine revelation about the desert by the sea. Like a storm sweeping through the Negev, an invader will come from the desert, from a terrifying land.

Good News Translation
This is a message about Babylonia. Like a whirlwind sweeping across the desert, disaster will come from a terrifying land.

International Standard Version
A message concerning the pasture by the Sea. "Like whirlwinds in the Negev sweep on, it comes from the desert, from a distant land.

Majority Standard Bible
This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.

NET Bible
Here is a message about the Desert by the Sea: Like strong winds blowing in the south, one invades from the desert, from a land that is feared.

New Heart English Bible
The oracle of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negev sweep through, it comes from the wilderness, from an awesome land.

Webster's Bible Translation
The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

World English Bible
The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it comes from the wilderness, from an awesome land.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The burden of the wilderness of the sea. Like windstorms in the south for passing through, "" It has come from the wilderness, "" From a fearful land.

Young's Literal Translation
The burden of the wilderness of the sea. 'Like hurricanes in the south for passing through, From the wilderness it hath come, From a fearful land.

Smith's Literal Translation
The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south for passing through, from the desert it came, from a fearful land.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
THE burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds come from the south, it cometh from the desert from a terrible land.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The burden of the desert of the sea. Just as the whirlwinds approach from Africa, it approaches from the desert, from a terrible land.

New American Bible
Oracle on the wastelands by the sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negeb, it comes from the desert, from the fearful land.

New Revised Standard Version
The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negeb sweep on, it comes from the desert, from a terrible land.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THE prophecy concerning the desert of the sea. As a whirlwind from the south, sweeping through from the wilderness; so it comes from a far off land.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The burden of the wilderness of the sea: like a hurricane from the south it shall run from the wilderness and shall come from a distant land
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweeping on, It cometh from the wilderness, from a dreadful land.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
THE VISION OF THE DESERT. As though a whirlwind should pass through the desert, coming from a desert, even from such a land,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Babylon is Fallen
1This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror. 2A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”…

Cross References
Revelation 17:1
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.

Revelation 18:2
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.

Jeremiah 51:42
The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered in turbulent waves.

Jeremiah 50:2
“Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’

Ezekiel 26:3
therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, O Tyre, I am against you, and I will raise up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.

Revelation 14:8
Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”

Jeremiah 51:13
You who dwell by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come; the thread of your life is cut.

Jeremiah 51:36
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance on your behalf; I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry.

Nahum 1:1
This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:

Jeremiah 50:38
A drought is upon her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is a land of graven images, and the people go mad over idols.

Revelation 16:19
The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.

Jeremiah 51:1
This is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will stir up against Babylon and against the people of Leb-kamai the spirit of a destroyer.

Ezekiel 27:26
Your oarsmen have brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind will shatter you in the heart of the sea.

Revelation 18:21
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.

Jeremiah 50:39
So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there and ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation.


Treasury of Scripture

The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it comes from the desert, from a terrible land.

the burden.

Isaiah 13:1
The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

Isaiah 17:1
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

the desert

Isaiah 13:20-22
It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there…

Isaiah 14:23
I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.

Jeremiah 51:42
The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.

as whirlwinds

Job 37:9
Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

Daniel 11:40
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

Zechariah 9:14
And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

from

Isaiah 13:4,5,17,18
The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle…

Ezekiel 30:11
He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain.

Ezekiel 31:12
And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.

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Awesome Burden Desert Dreadful Feared Fearful Greatly Invader Negeb Negev Oracle Passing Rushing Sea South Southland Storm-Winds Sweep Sweeping Terrible Terrifying Terror Waste Whirlwinds Wilderness Word
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Awesome Burden Desert Dreadful Feared Fearful Greatly Invader Negeb Negev Oracle Passing Rushing Sea South Southland Storm-Winds Sweep Sweeping Terrible Terrifying Terror Waste Whirlwinds Wilderness Word
Isaiah 21
1. The prophet, bewailing the captivity of his people,
6. sees in a vision the fall of Babylon by the Medes and Persians.
11. Edom, scorning the prophet, is moved to repentance.
13. The set time of Arabia's calamity.














This is an oracle
The term "oracle" in Hebrew is "מַשָּׂא" (massa), which can mean a burden or a pronouncement. In the prophetic context, it often refers to a divine message that carries weight and significance. This introduction sets the tone for a serious and solemn message from God, indicating that what follows is not merely human speculation but a revelation from the divine. The use of "oracle" underscores the authority and gravity of the prophecy, reminding the reader of the importance of heeding God's word.

concerning the Desert by the Sea
This phrase is intriguing and has been the subject of much scholarly debate. The "Desert by the Sea" is generally understood to refer to Babylon, which, although not a literal desert by a sea, is symbolically described this way. The imagery evokes a sense of desolation and impending judgment. Historically, Babylon was a powerful empire, yet its eventual downfall was prophesied. The "sea" could symbolize chaos or the vastness of Babylon's influence, while the "desert" suggests barrenness and judgment. This dual imagery serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate sovereignty of God.

As whirlwinds sweep through the Negev
The Negev is a desert region in southern Israel, known for its harsh, arid conditions and sudden, violent windstorms. The comparison to whirlwinds suggests a swift and unstoppable force, emphasizing the suddenness and intensity of the coming judgment. In the biblical context, whirlwinds often symbolize divine intervention or judgment (e.g., Job 38:1). This imagery conveys the idea that God's judgment will be as forceful and unavoidable as a desert storm, sweeping away all in its path.

so it comes from the desert
The repetition of "desert" reinforces the theme of desolation and judgment. The desert is often associated with testing, trial, and divine encounters in the Bible (e.g., Israel's 40 years of wandering, Jesus' temptation). Here, it signifies the origin of the impending judgment, suggesting that it is both a place of barrenness and a source of divine retribution. The desert's harshness serves as a metaphor for the severity of the judgment that is to come.

from a land of terror
This phrase heightens the sense of dread and foreboding. The "land of terror" could refer to the fearsome reputation of the invading forces or the terrifying nature of the judgment itself. Historically, the Babylonian empire was known for its might and the fear it instilled in its enemies. In a spiritual sense, this phrase serves as a warning of the consequences of turning away from God. It reminds the reader that without God's protection, even the mightiest nations can become lands of terror, subject to His righteous judgment.

XXI.

(1) The burden of the desert of the sea . . .--The title of the prophecy is obviously taken from the catch-word of "the desert" that follows. The "sea" has been explained (1) as the Euphrates, just as in Isaiah 18:2; Isaiah 19:5, it appears as used of the Nile (Cheyne). (2) As pointing to the surging flood of the mingled myriads of its population. (3) Xenophon's description of the whole plain of the Euphrates, intersected by marshes and lakes, as looking like a sea affords, perhaps, a better explanation.

As whirlwinds in the south . . .--The "South" (or Negeb) is here, as elsewhere, the special name of the country lying south of Judah. The tempests of the region seem to have been proverbial (Zechariah 9:14; Jeremiah 4:11; Jeremiah 13:24; Hosea 13:15). . . .

Verses 1-10. - THE BURDEN OF THE DESERT OF THE SEA. This is a short and somewhat vague, but highly poetic, "burden of Babylon" It is probably an earlier prophecy than Isaiah 13. and 14, and perhaps the first revelation made to Isaiah with respect to the fall of the great Chaldean capital. It exhibits no consciousness of the fact that Babylon is Judah's predestined destroyer, and is expressive rather of sympathy (vers. 3, 4) than of triumph. Among recent critics, some suppose it to refer to Sargon's capture of the city in B.C. 710; but the objection to this view, from the entire absence of all reference to Assyria as the conquering power, and the mention of "Elam" and "Media" in her place, is absolutely fatal to it. There can be no reasonable doubt that the same siege is intended as in Isaiah 13, where also Media is mentioned (ver. 17); and there are no real grounds for questioning that the event of which the prophet is made cognizant is that siege and capture of Babylon by Cyrus the Great which destroyed the Babylonian empire. Verse 1. - The desert of the sea. The Isaianic authorship of this title is doubtful, since "the desert of the sea" is an expression elsewhere wholly unknown to biblical writers. Some regard "the sea" as the Euphrates, in which case "the desert of the sea" may be the waste tract west of the Euphrates, extending thence to the eastern borders of Palestine. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; rather, as whirlwinds in the south country, sweeping along. The "south country" is that immediately to the south of Judaea. Its liability to whirlwinds is noticed in Zechariah 9:14 and in Job 37:9 (compare Major Palmer's 'Sinai,' p. 33). It cometh. What cometh? Dr. Kay says, "God's visitation;" Rosenmüller, "a numerous army." But is it not rather the "grievous vision" of the next verse? From the desert. The great desert bounding Palestine on the east - a truly "terrible land." Across this, as coming from Baby-Ionia to Palestine, seemed to rush the vision which it was given to the prophet to see.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[This is] an oracle
מַשָּׂ֖א (maś·śā)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4853: A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire

concerning the Desert
מִדְבַּר־ (miḏ·bar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

by the Sea:
יָ֑ם (yām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

Like whirlwinds
כְּסוּפ֤וֹת (kə·sū·p̄ō·wṯ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5492: A storm wind

sweeping
לַֽחֲלֹ֔ף (la·ḥă·lōp̄)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2498: To slide by, to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce, change

through the Negev,
בַּנֶּ֙גֶב֙ (ban·ne·ḡeḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

[an invader] comes
בָּ֔א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

from the desert,
מִמִּדְבָּ֣ר (mim·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

from a land
מֵאֶ֖רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of terror.
נוֹרָאָֽה׃ (nō·w·rā·’āh)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 21:1 The burden of the wilderness (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 20:6
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