The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

} “the thickets” Isaiah uses “forestry” imagery often. This term (BDB 420) can mean1. forest2. thicketSince Arabia is desert, the second fits best. It would refer to ravines with thick brushy vegetation, whereanimals hide. Now fugitives, refugees, and caravan traders (i.e., Dedanites were a Bedouin peopleassociated with Sheba) hide there to escape military invasion (cf. v. 15). They could not use the usualroads or resting places.21:14 The Arabians are commanded (BDB 87, KB 102, Hiphil IMPERATIVE) to bring water and food forthem.} “Tema” This was a major northern city, home to the worship of the moon goddess. See SpecialTopic: Moon Worship at 3:18.NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 21:16-1716For thus the Lord said to me, "In a year, as a hired man would count it, all the splendor ofKedar will terminate; 17 and the remainder of the number of bowmen, the mighty men of the sonsof Kedar, will be few; for the LORD God of Israel has spoken."21:16 “In a year, as a hired man would count it” This same idiom of precise timing is found earlier inIsa. 16:14.} “Kedar” This is another large city of Arabia. It, and by implication all of Arabia’s army, will bedefeated. Sargon II attacked this area in 715 B.C.Again the theological phrase “for the LORD God of Israel has spoken.” It was not the power ofancient armies that directed ANE events, but the God of Israel! This is a claim to monotheism.214