King James Version

What Does Isaiah 21:16 Mean?

Isaiah 21:16 in the King James Version says “For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar sh...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:”

Isaiah 21:16 · KJV

Context

14

The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. brought: or, bring ye

15

For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. from the swords: or, for fear, etc: Heb. from the face, etc

16

For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:

17

And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it. archers: Heb. bows

Read Isaiah 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail.' Specific timeframe: within one year precisely measured 'as years of an hireling' (worker counting exactly to contract's end). Kedar was a major Arabian tribal confederation (descended from Ishmael, Genesis 25:13), representing Arabian power. Their 'glory' (military strength, economic prosperity, tribal honor) would fail completely within the specified time. This precision demonstrates prophetic authority—not vague prediction but specific timeframe enabling verification. The hireling comparison emphasizes exactitude—as workers count days to freedom, so this prophecy's timing would be precise. God's sovereign control extends to timing details, not just general outcomes. Reformed theology emphasizes God's meticulous providence governing all events down to smallest details, not just broad patterns.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This likely refers to Assyrian campaigns in Arabia during the specific year following Isaiah's prophecy. Sargon II's annals describe Arabian campaigns, though precise dating to match Isaiah's one-year prediction is difficult from available records. The prophecy's precise timeframe meant original hearers could verify its fulfillment—genuine prophecy subjected itself to empirical testing. False prophets avoided such specific predictions or used vague timeframes permitting multiple interpretations. The one-year precision demonstrated confidence in divine revelation's reliability. Church history shows genuine prophetic gifts produced verifiable predictions, while false prophets equivocated. Modern prophecy's vagueness often indicates human speculation rather than divine revelation. Biblical prophecy's specificity (times, places, names, events) authenticates its supernatural origin.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does precise one-year timeframe teach about genuine versus false prophecy?
  2. How did specific predictions enable verification of prophetic authority?
  3. Why do false prophets typically avoid precise, verifiable predictions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כִּי1 of 13
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֛ה2 of 13
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֥ר3 of 13

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֖י4 of 13

“For thus hath the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

אֵלָ֑י5 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּע֤וֹד6 of 13
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

כִּשְׁנֵ֣י7 of 13

“according to the years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

כִּשְׁנֵ֣י8 of 13

“according to the years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שָׂכִ֔יר9 of 13

“of an hireling”

H7916

a man who is hired by the day or year

וְכָלָ֖ה10 of 13

“shall fail”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

כָּל11 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כְּב֥וֹד12 of 13

“and all the glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

קֵדָֽר׃13 of 13

“of Kedar”

H6938

kedar, a son of ishmael; also (collectively) bedouin (as his descendants or representatives)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 21:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 21:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 1:5Isaiah 60:7Psalms 120:5Isaiah 16:14Jeremiah 49:28Ezekiel 27:21

Places in This Verse

KedarPeople Group · Modern: Dumat al Jandal · 29.81°N, 39.87°E9 verses across 5 books
View all places in Isaiah 21 →

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