Isaiah 21:2
New International Version
A dire vision has been shown to me: The traitor betrays, the looter takes loot. Elam, attack! Media, lay siege! I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused.

New Living Translation
I see a terrifying vision: I see the betrayer betraying, the destroyer destroying. Go ahead, you Elamites and Medes, attack and lay siege. I will make an end to all the groaning Babylon caused.

English Standard Version
A stern vision is told to me; the traitor betrays, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, O Elam; lay siege, O Media; all the sighing she has caused I bring to an end.

Berean Standard Bible
A 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.”

King James Bible
A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

New King James Version
A distressing vision is declared to me; The treacherous dealer deals treacherously, And the plunderer plunders. Go up, O Elam! Besiege, O Media! All its sighing I have made to cease.

New American Standard Bible
A harsh vision has been shown to me; The treacherous one still deals treacherously, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, Elam, lay siege, Media; I have put an end to all the groaning she has caused.

NASB 1995
A harsh vision has been shown to me; The treacherous one still deals treacherously, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, Elam, lay siege, Media; I have made an end of all the groaning she has caused.

NASB 1977
A harsh vision has been shown to me; The treacherous one still deals treacherously, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, Elam, lay siege, Media; I have made an end of all the groaning she has caused.

Legacy Standard Bible
A harsh vision has been declared to me; The treacherous one still deals treacherously, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, Elam, lay siege, Media; I have made an end of all the groaning she has caused.

Amplified Bible
A harsh vision has been shown to me; The treacherous one deals treacherously, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, Elam! Lay siege, Media! All the groaning [caused by Babylon’s ruthless oppressions] I [the LORD] have brought to an end.

Christian Standard Bible
A troubling vision is declared to me: “The treacherous one acts treacherously, and the destroyer destroys. Advance, Elam! Lay siege, you Medes! I will put an end to all the groaning.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A troubling vision is declared to me:” The treacherous one acts treacherously, and the destroyer destroys. Advance, Elam! Lay siege, you Medes! I will put an end to all her groaning.”

American Standard Version
A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous man dealeth treacherously, and the destroyer destroyeth. Go up, O Elam; besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

Contemporary English Version
What a horrible vision was shown to me--a vision of betrayal and destruction. Tell Elam and Media to surround and attack the Babylonians. The Lord has sworn to end the suffering they caused.

English Revised Version
A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam; besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I was shown a harsh vision. The traitor betrays. The destroyer destroys. Go to war, Elam! Surround them, Media! I will put an end to all the groaning.

Good News Translation
I have seen a vision of cruel events, a vision of betrayal and destruction. Army of Elam, attack! Army of Media, lay siege to the cities! God will put an end to the suffering which Babylon has caused.

International Standard Version
A dire vision has been announced to me: the traitor betrays, and the plunderer takes loot. Get up, Elam! Attack, Media! I am putting a stop to all the groaning she has caused.

Majority Standard Bible
A 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.?

NET Bible
I have received a distressing message: "The deceiver deceives, the destroyer destroys. Attack, you Elamites! Lay siege, you Medes! I will put an end to all the groaning!"

New Heart English Bible
A grievous vision is declared to me. The treacherous man deals treacherously, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, Elam; attack. I have stopped all of Media's sighing.

Webster's Bible Translation
A grievous vision is declared to me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler plundereth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all her sighing have I made to cease.

World English Bible
A grievous vision is declared to me. The treacherous man deals treacherously, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, Elam; attack! I have stopped all of Media’s sighing.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A hard vision has been declared to me, "" The treacherous dealer is dealing treacherously, "" And the destroyer is destroying. Go up, O Elam, besiege, O Media, "" I have caused all its sighing to cease.

Young's Literal Translation
A hard vision hath been declared to me, The treacherous dealer is dealing treacherously, And the destroyer is destroying. Go up, O Elam, besiege, O Media, All its sighing I have caused to cease.

Smith's Literal Translation
A hard vision was announced to me: The spoiler spoiled, and he laying waste, laid waste. Go up, O Elam: press, O Media; all her sighing I caused to cease.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A grievous vision is told me: he that is unfaithful dealeth unfaithfully : and he that is a spoiler, spoileth. Go up, O Elam, besiege, O Mede: I have made all the mourning thereof to cease.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A difficult vision has been announced to me: he who is unbelieving, he acts unfaithfully, and he who is a plunderer, he devastates. Ascend, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I have caused all its mourning to cease.

New American Bible
A harsh vision has been announced to me: “The traitor betrays, the despoiler spoils. Go up, O Elam; besiege, O Media; put an end to all its groaning!”

New Revised Standard Version
A stern vision is told to me; the betrayer betrays, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, O Elam, lay siege, O Media; all the sighing she has caused I bring to an end.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A grievous vision is declared to me: the oppressor oppresses, and the plunderer plunders. Go up, O Elam, and the mountains of Media; all the sighing thereof I have made to cease.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A hard vision appeared to us: an oppressor oppresses and a plunderer plunders. Go up Eelam and the mountains of Media, and I ended all its groaning
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A grievous vision is declared unto me: 'The treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam! besiege, O Media! All the sighing thereof have I made to cease.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
so a fearful and a grievous vision was declared to me: he that is treacherous deals treacherously, the transgressor transgresses. The Elamites are upon me, and the ambassadors of the Persians come against me: now will I groan and comfort myself.

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.” 3Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 51:11
Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His plan is aimed at Babylon to destroy her, for it is the vengeance of the LORD—vengeance for His temple.

Jeremiah 50:9
For behold, I stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north. They will line up against her; from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.

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.

Revelation 17:16-17
And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. / For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Jeremiah 51:28
Prepare the nations for battle against her—the kings of the Medes, their governors and all their officials, and all the lands they rule.

Jeremiah 50:41-42
Behold, an army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are stirred up from the ends of the earth. / They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.

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 51:1-2
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. / I will send strangers to Babylon to winnow her and empty her land; for they will come against her from every side in her day of disaster.

Habakkuk 1:6-7
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans—that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own. / They are dreaded and feared; from themselves they derive justice and sovereignty.

Revelation 18:9-10
Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. / In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

Jeremiah 50:29
Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

Jeremiah 51:27
“Raise a banner in the land! Blow the ram’s horn among the nations! Prepare the nations against her. Summon the kingdoms against her—Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a captain against her; bring up horses like swarming locusts.

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 50:14
Line up in formation around Babylon, all you who draw the bow! Shoot at her! Spare no arrows! For she has sinned against the LORD.

Revelation 18:19
Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”


Treasury of Scripture

A grievous vision is declared to me; the treacherous dealer deals treacherously, and the spoiler spoils. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

grievous.

Psalm 60:3
Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

Proverbs 13:15
Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

the treacherous

Isaiah 24:16
From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.

Isaiah 33:1
Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

1 Samuel 24:13
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

go up

Isaiah 13:2-4,17,18
Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles…

Jeremiah 50:14,34
Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD…

Jeremiah 49:34
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,

all the

Isaiah 14:1-3
For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob…

Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 47:6
I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

Jump to Previous
Attack Besiege Caused Dealer Dealeth Deals Declared Destroyer Destroys Elam End Grievous Groaning Harsh Lay Media Shown Siege Sighing Spoiler Spoileth Stern Stopped Thereof Treacherous Treacherously Vision
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Attack Besiege Caused Dealer Dealeth Deals Declared Destroyer Destroys Elam End Grievous Groaning Harsh Lay Media Shown Siege Sighing Spoiler Spoileth Stern Stopped Thereof Treacherous Treacherously Vision
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.














A dire vision
The phrase "a dire vision" in Isaiah 21:2 sets the tone for the entire passage. The Hebrew word for "vision" is "חָזוֹן" (chazon), which often refers to a prophetic revelation given by God. This vision is described as "dire," indicating its severe and ominous nature. In the context of Isaiah, this vision pertains to the impending judgment and destruction of Babylon. Historically, Babylon was a powerful empire, and its fall would have been a significant event. The use of "dire" underscores the seriousness of the prophecy and the certainty of God's judgment against nations that oppose His will.

has been shown to me
The phrase "has been shown to me" emphasizes the divine origin of the vision. Isaiah, as a prophet, is a recipient of God's revelation. The passive construction suggests that Isaiah is not the source of the vision but merely the conduit through which God communicates His message. This highlights the role of prophets in the Old Testament as spokespersons for God, delivering messages that often included warnings, judgments, and calls for repentance.

The traitor betrays
"The traitor betrays" is a powerful statement reflecting the theme of treachery and deceit. The Hebrew root for "traitor" is "בָּגַד" (bagad), which conveys the idea of betrayal or treachery. In the historical context, this could refer to the political alliances and betrayals that were common in the ancient Near East. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness to God and His covenant. Betrayal leads to destruction, both for individuals and nations.

the plunderer takes loot
This phrase, "the plunderer takes loot," continues the theme of destruction and chaos. The Hebrew word for "plunderer" is "שׁוֹדֵד" (shoded), which means one who violently takes spoils. This imagery is consistent with the historical context of warfare in the ancient world, where conquering armies would plunder defeated cities. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual desolation that occurs when people turn away from God and pursue their own selfish desires.

Elam, attack! Media, lay siege!
The call for "Elam, attack! Media, lay siege!" is a direct command for these nations to rise against Babylon. Elam and Media were regions known for their military prowess. Historically, the Medes and Persians, under Cyrus the Great, would eventually conquer Babylon. This prophecy demonstrates God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to use them as instruments of His judgment. It also foreshadows the eventual liberation of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity.

I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused
The phrase "I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused" speaks to the ultimate justice and restoration that God promises. The "groaning" refers to the suffering and oppression experienced by those under Babylon's rule. The Hebrew word for "groaning" is "אָנָחָה" (anachah), which conveys deep distress and lamentation. God's promise to end this groaning is a message of hope and assurance that He will not allow injustice to prevail indefinitely. It reflects the biblical theme of God's deliverance and the establishment of His righteous kingdom.

(2) A grievous vision . . .--The verse contains, as it were, the three tableaux that came in succession before the prophet's gaze: (1) The treacherous dealer, the Assyro-Chaldaean power, spoiling and oppressing, breaking treaties, and, as its kings boasted (Habakkuk 2:5; Records of the Past, vii. 42, 44), "removing landmarks." (2) The summons to Elam and Media to put an end to this tyranny. (3) The oppressed peoples ceasing to sigh, and rejoicing in their liberation.

Elam appears here as combined with Media, which is named in Isaiah 13:17 as the only destroyer of Babylon, and this has been urged as evidence of a later date. As a matter of fact, however, Sargon at this very time was carrying on a fierce war against Elam (Records of the Past, cvii. 41-49) as well as against Media (ibid, p. 37). In Ezekiel 32:24, Elam is numbered among the extinct nations, but the name, at all events, re-appears as applied to the Persians, though they were of a distinct race. It was, even as a mere forecast, perfectly natural that the two should be associated together as the future destroyers of the Nineveh and Babel empires, which to the prophet's eye were identical in character and policy. The advance described as "from the wilderness" implies a march of part at least of the Medo-Persian army down the Choaspes and into the lowland of Chuzistan, bordering on the great Arabian desert.

Verse 2. - A grievous vision; literally, a hard vision; not, however, "hard of interpretation" (Kay), but rather "hard to be borne," "grievous," "calamitous." The treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously; rather, perhaps, the robber robs (Knobel); or, the violent man uses violence (Rosenmüller). The idea of faithlessness passes out of the Hebrew boged occasionally, and is unsuitable here, more especially if it is the army of Cyrus that is intended. Go up, O Elam. The discovery that Cyrus, at the time of his conquest of Babylon, Bore the title of "King of Ansan," not "King of Persia," coupled with the probability that "Ansan" was a part of Elam, lends a peculiar interest to these words. Isaiah could not describe Cyrus as "King of Persia," and at the same time be intelligible to his contemporaries, since Persia was a country utterly unknown to them. In using the term "Elam" instead, he uses that of a country known to the Hebrews (Genesis 14:1), adjoining Persia, and, at the time of his expedition against Babylon, subject to Cyrus. Besiege, O Media. Having given "Elam" the first place, the prophet assigns to Media the second. Eleven years before he attacked Babylon, Cyrus had made war upon Astyages (Istuvegu), King of the Medes, had captured him, and become king of the nation, with scarcely any opposition (see the 'Cylinder of Nabonidus'). Hence the Medes would naturally form an important portion of the force which he led against Babylon. All the sighing thereof have I made to cease. The "sighing" caused by Babylon to the nations, to the captives, and to the kings whose prison-doors were kept closed (Isaiah 14:17), God has in his counsels determined to bring to an end.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A dire
קָשָׁ֖ה (qā·šāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7186: Hard, severe

vision
חָז֥וּת (ḥā·zūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2380: A look, striking appearance, revelation, compact

is declared
הֻגַּד־ (hug·gaḏ-)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

to me:
לִ֑י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

“The traitor
הַבּוֹגֵ֤ד ׀ (hab·bō·w·ḡêḏ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 898: To cover, to act covertly, to pillage

still betrays,
בּוֹגֵד֙ (bō·w·ḡêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 898: To cover, to act covertly, to pillage

and the destroyer
וְהַשּׁוֹדֵ֣ד ׀ (wə·haš·šō·w·ḏêḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7703: To deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin

still destroys.
שׁוֹדֵ֔ד (šō·w·ḏêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7703: To deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin

Go up,
עֲלִ֤י (‘ă·lî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

O Elam!
עֵילָם֙ (‘ê·lām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5867: Elam -- a son of Shem, also his descendants and their country

Lay siege,
צוּרִ֣י (ṣū·rî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 6696: To confine, bind, besiege

O Media!
מָדַ֔י (mā·ḏay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4074: Media -- a son of Japheth, also his descendants and their land

I will put an end
הִשְׁבַּֽתִּי׃ (hiš·bat·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7673: To repose, desist from exertion

to all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

her groaning.”
אַנְחָתָ֖ה (’an·ḥā·ṯāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 585: A sighing, groaning


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 21:2 A grievous vision is declared to me (Isa Isi Is)
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