Isa 21:11-17 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 21:11-17: 21:11-17 These two prophecies pertain to Edom and Arabia, located in the territory between Babylon and Israel. These outlying regions suffered under Assyrian domination, and like Judah, they would not be able to rest under Babylon’s oppressive regime. Summary for Isa 21:11-12: 21:11-12 Edom: Hebrew Seir , which was the mountainous area of Edom. • how much longer until morning: Edom’s suffering would be a long ordeal. The Assyrians were dominant in the ancient Near East during the 700s and 600s BC .

Summary for Isa 21:11-17: 21:11-17 ^a These two prophecies pertain to Edom and Arabia, located in the territory between Babylon and Israel. These outlying regions suffered under Assyrian domination, and like Judah, they would not be able to rest under Babylon’s oppressive regime.
Summary for Isa 21:11-12: 21:11-12 ^b Edom: Hebrew Seir, which was the mountainous area of Edom.

• how much longer until morning: Edom’s suffering would be a long ordeal. The Assyrians were dominant in the ancient Near East during the 700s and 600s BC.
21:12 ^c Morning is coming, but it would mark the beginning of another oppressive era. Because the Babylonians were on the horizon, night will soon return.
Summary for Isa 21:13-17: 21:13-17 ^d Cp. Jer 49:28-33 ^e. 21:13 ^f Dedan was a tribe in Arabia (see Ezek 27:20 ^g; 38:13 ^h).

• Caravans would hide in the deserts of Arabia from attacks by the Assyrians and Babylonians, both of whom harassed the Arabian tribes (see Isa 21:1-10 ⁱ; Jer 49:28-29 ^j).
21:14 ^k Tema was an oasis in Arabia on a main trade route from Babylon.
21:15 ^l Assyrian weapons of war such as the drawn sword and the bent bow were highly advanced compared to the primitive weapons used by desert peoples.
21:16 ^m Kedar was an Arabian tribe that had great wealth and possessions (see 60:7 ⁿ; Ezek 27:21 ^o).
21:17 ^p Only a few ... will survive: Cp. 10:22 ^q; 14:30 ^r; 16:14 ^s; 24:6 ^t, 13 ^u; 37:32 ^v.