King James Version

What Does Isaiah 21:2 Mean?

Isaiah 21:2 in the King James Version says “A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. grievous: Heb. hard

Isaiah 21:2 · KJV


Context

1

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.

2

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. grievous: Heb. hard

3

Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

4

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. heart: or, mind wandered turned: Heb. put


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' Isaiah receives a 'grievous' (harsh/hard) vision—prophets often distressed by revelations of judgment. 'The treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously'—Babylon's characteristic duplicity now turned against itself. God commands Elam (Persia) and Media to attack—these were the Medo-Persian Empire components that conquered Babylon. 'All the sighing thereof have I made to cease' likely refers to ending the groaning of nations Babylon oppressed. God's judgment on Babylon brings relief to victims. This demonstrates divine justice: oppressors eventually face oppression; treacherous dealers experience treachery. God orchestrates history to punish evil and vindicate victims.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Medo-Persian alliance under Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BCE. Cyrus's own records (Cyrus Cylinder) present the conquest as liberation, claiming Babylon's gods supported him due to Nabonidus's impiety. The prophecy's specific naming of Elam and Media as agents demonstrates precision impossible without divine revelation—these nations weren't obvious conquerors 150 years prior. The 'sighing' that ceased included exiled Jews, whom Cyrus released (Ezra 1), and other oppressed peoples. Babylon's fall was celebrated by its victims as divine justice. This pattern repeats throughout history: oppressive empires eventually fall, often to forces they despised. God's justice operates certainly, if not always immediately.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does treacherous Babylon experiencing treachery teach about divine justice's poetic nature?
  2. How did Babylon's fall bring relief to oppressed nations?
  3. Why does God specifically name Elam and Media as conquest agents?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
חָז֥וּת1 of 15

vision

H2380

a look; hence (figuratively) striking appearance, revelation, or (by implication) compact

קָשָׁ֖ה2 of 15

A grievous

H7186

severe (in various applications)

הֻגַּד3 of 15

is declared

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לִ֑י4 of 15
H0
בּוֹגֵד֙5 of 15

dealeth treacherously

H898

to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

בּוֹגֵד֙6 of 15

dealeth treacherously

H898

to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

שׁוֹדֵ֔ד7 of 15

and the spoiler

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

שׁוֹדֵ֔ד8 of 15

and the spoiler

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

עֲלִ֤י9 of 15

Go up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עֵילָם֙10 of 15

O Elam

H5867

elam, a son of shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six israelites

צוּרִ֣י11 of 15

besiege

H6696

to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)

מָדַ֔י12 of 15

O Media

H4074

madai, a country of central asia

כָּל13 of 15
H3605

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

אַנְחָתָ֖ה14 of 15

all the sighing

H585

sighing

הִשְׁבַּֽתִּי׃15 of 15

thereof have I made to cease

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)


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 21:2 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 21:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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