Isaiah 21:17
Isaiah 21:17 in Multiple Translations
The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
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.
and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be few; for Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath spoken it.
And the rest of the bowmen, the men of war of the children of Kedar, will be small in number: for the Lord, the God of Israel, has said it.
There will only be a few left of the archers, the warriors of Kedar.” The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.
And the residue of the nomber of ye strong archers of the sonnes of Kedar shall be fewe: for the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it.
And the remnant of the number of bow-men, The mighty of the sons of Kedar are few, For Jehovah, God of Israel, hath spoken!'
and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, will be few; for the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken it.”
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 .
And the residue of the number of strong archers of the children of Cedar shall be diminished: for the Lord the God of Israel hath spoken it.
Only a few of their soldiers who know well how to shoot arrows will remain alive. That will surely happen because I, Yahweh, have said it.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 21:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 21:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/שְׁאָ֧ר
מִסְפַּר
קֶ֛שֶׁת
גִּבּוֹרֵ֥י
בְנֵֽי
קֵדָ֖ר
יִמְעָ֑טוּ
כִּ֛י
יְהוָ֥ה
אֱלֹהֵֽי
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
דִּבֵּֽר
וּ/שְׁאָ֧ר
shᵉʼâr
H7605
remnant
Conj | N-ms
מִסְפַּר
miçpâr
H4557
number
N-ms
קֶ֛שֶׁת
qesheth
H7198
bow
N-fs
גִּבּוֹרֵ֥י
gibbôwr
H1368
mighty man
Adj
בְנֵֽי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
קֵדָ֖ר
Qêdâr
H6938
Kedar
N-proper
יִמְעָ֑טוּ
mâʻaṭ
H4591
to diminish
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהֵֽי
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
דִּבֵּֽר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 21:17
וּ/שְׁאָ֧ר
shᵉʼâr
H7605
"remnant"
Conj | N-ms
A remnant or remainder, like the surviving Israelites in 2 Kings 19:4. It represents what is left after a disaster or judgment, as seen in Isaiah 10:20. This word is used to describe the faithful few.
Definition: rest, residue, remnant, remainder Aramaic equivalent: she.ar (שְׁאָר "remainder" H7606)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] other, remnant, residue, rest. See also: 1 Chronicles 11:8; Isaiah 10:19; Isaiah 10:20.
מִסְפַּר
miçpâr
H4557
"number"
N-ms
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Definition: 1) number, tale 1a) number 1a1) number 1a2) innumerable (with negative) 1a3) few, numerable (alone) 1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep) 1b) recounting, relation
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. See also: Genesis 34:30; 1 Chronicles 12:24; Psalms 40:13.
קֶ֛שֶׁת
qesheth
H7198
"bow"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for bow refers to a weapon used for hunting or battle, but also symbolizes strength and is used to describe a rainbow. In the Bible, it appears in Genesis and other books. It represents power and beauty.
Definition: 1) bow 1a) bow (for hunting, battle) 1b) bowmen, archers 1c) bow (fig. of might) 1d) rainbow
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] arch(-er), [phrase] arrow, bow(-man, -shot). See also: Genesis 9:13; Psalms 44:7; Psalms 7:13.
גִּבּוֹרֵ֥י
gibbôwr
H1368
"mighty man"
Adj
This word describes a strong or mighty man, like a warrior or champion, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:51 where David defeats Goliath. It can also imply a brave or valiant person.
Definition: adj 1) strong, mighty n m 2) strong man, brave man, mighty man
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: champion, chief, [idiom] excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man. See also: Genesis 6:4; 2 Chronicles 17:16; Psalms 19:6.
בְנֵֽי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
קֵדָ֖ר
Qêdâr
H6938
"Kedar"
N-proper
Kedar was a son of Ishmael and the name also refers to his descendants, who were Bedouin people. The name Kedar means dark, and his story is found in Genesis 25:13.
Definition: A man of the Arabs living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.13; son of: Ishmael (H3458); brother of: Nebaioth (H5032), Adbeel (H0110), Mibsam (H4017), Mishma (H4927), Dumah (H1746), Massa (H4854), Hadad (H2301), Tema (H8485), Jetur (H3195), Naphish (H5305), Kedemah (H6929) and Mahalath (H4258) § Kedar = "dark" 1) a son of Ishmael n pr people 2) the descendants of Kedar
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: Kedar. See also: Genesis 25:13; Isaiah 21:17; Psalms 120:5.
יִמְעָ֑טוּ
mâʻaṭ
H4591
"to diminish"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to make something smaller or less. It can describe reducing a quantity or making something less effective. The KJV translates it as diminish or make few.
Definition: 1) to be or become small, be few, be diminished 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to diminish 1a2) to be too small 1b) (Piel) to become few 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make small, make few, diminish 1c2) to give less
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: suffer to decrease, diminish, (be, [idiom] borrow a, give, make) few (in number, -ness), gather least (little), be (seem) little, ([idiom] give the) less, be minished, bring to nothing. See also: Exodus 12:4; 2 Kings 4:3; Psalms 107:38.
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהֵֽי
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
דִּבֵּֽר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
Study Notes — Isaiah 21:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 21:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 21:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 21:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 21:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 21:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 21:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 21:17
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 21:17
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 21:17
- Sermons on Isaiah 21:17
Context — The Burden against Arabia
15For they flee from the sword— the sword that is drawn— from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.
16For this is what the Lord says to me: “Within one year, as a hired worker would count it, all the glory of Kedar will be gone.
17The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zechariah 1:6 | But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’” |
| 2 | Numbers 23:19 | God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? |
| 3 | Matthew 24:35 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. |
| 4 | Isaiah 1:20 | But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. |
| 5 | Isaiah 17:4–5 | “In that day the splendor of Jacob will fade, and the fat of his body will waste away, as the reaper gathers the standing grain and harvests the ears with his arm, as one gleans heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 44:29 | This will be a sign to you that I will punish you in this place, declares the LORD, so that you may know that My threats of harm against you will surely stand. |
| 7 | Isaiah 10:18–19 | The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. The remaining trees of its forests will be so few that a child could count them. |
| 8 | Psalms 107:39 | When they are decreased and humbled by oppression, evil, and sorrow, |
Isaiah 21:17 Summary
This verse, Isaiah 21:17, tells us that God is in control of all nations and peoples, and He will bring judgment on those who oppose Him. The warriors of Kedar, once strong and proud, will be greatly reduced in number, showing us that God's power is greater than any human strength (as seen in 1 Samuel 2:9). We can trust in God's word and His plan for our lives, knowing that He is sovereign and just, and that His judgments are always right, as Psalm 19:9 reminds us. By trusting in God's word, we can find peace and hope, even in uncertain times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible mean by 'the remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few'?
This phrase indicates that the once-strong army of Kedar will be greatly reduced in number, a consequence of God's judgment, as seen in Isaiah 21:16 where it says 'all the glory of Kedar will be gone.'
Who is Kedar in the Bible?
Kedar is a reference to a group of people descended from Ishmael, as mentioned in Genesis 25:13, and is often associated with the Arabian desert tribes, highlighting the breadth of God's judgment and care for all nations, as noted in Psalm 86:9.
Why does the verse emphasize 'the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken'?
This emphasis on God's direct speech underscores the authority and certainty of the prophecy, much like in Isaiah 55:11 where God's word is said to accomplish what He desires, emphasizing the power of His spoken word.
How does this verse relate to the broader message of Isaiah?
This verse fits into the larger context of Isaiah's prophecies concerning the judgment and restoration of nations, as seen in Isaiah 2:2-4, where God's ultimate plan for peace and redemption is revealed, with Israel at the center.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for God to say something, and how should I respond to His spoken word in my own life?
- In what ways do I see the power of God's judgment and mercy in my life and in the world around me?
- How does the promise of God's word giving hope and guidance, as in Psalm 119:105, apply to my life when faced with uncertainty or fear?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's sovereignty and judgment, rather than my own understanding or strength?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 21:17
And the residue of the number of archers,.... Or of "bow" (g), for "bows": that is, of men that use the bow, or are expert at it, as the Kedarenes were, both for taking wild beasts, and fighting with
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 21:17
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 21:17
Archers; bows and arrows were their: chief weapons, and they were expert in the use of them, both against beasts and men, as occasion required.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 21:17
Isaiah 21:17 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].Ver. 17. And the residue of the number of archers.] Heb., Of the bow, whereby these Kedarens lived much, as had also their ancestor Ishmael. For the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it.] Who will surely see it done, and yet he loveth mercifulness, but can, less than Mithridates could, endure those who hate virtue forsaken of fortune, as they call it.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 21:17
(17) And the residue . . .—The Hebrew word is the same as the characteristic “remnant” of Isaiah’s earlier prophecies. The words point primarily to the subjugation of Arabia by Sargon and Sennacherib, who narrate their victories over the Arabian tribes (Records of the Past, vii. 34). In Jeremiah 49:28-29 we have an echo of the prediction, which, in that case, pointed to their conquest by Nebuchadnezzar.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 21:17
Verse 17. The archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar - "The mighty bowmen of the sons of Kedar"] Sagittariorum fortium, Vulg.; transposing the two words, and reading גבורי קשה gibborey kesheth; which seems to be right. The strong men of the bow, the most excellent archers. For the Lord - hath spoken it - "For JEHOVAH hath spoken it."] The prophetic Carmina of Marcius, foretelling the battle of Cannae, lib. xxv. 12, conclude with the same kind of solemn form: Nam mihi ita Jupiter fatus est; "Thus hath Jupiter spoken to me." Observe that the word נאם naam, to pronounce, to declare, is the solemn word appropriated to the delivering of prophecies: "Behold, I am against the prophets, saith (נאם naam, pronounceth) JEHOVAH, who use their tongues, וינאמו נאם vaiyinamu neum, and solemnly pronounce, He hath pronounced it;" Jeremiah 23:31. What God says shall most assuredly come to pass; he cannot be deceived.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 21:17
17. the number of archers] Lit. “of the bows.” The bow was the chief weapon of the Northern Arabs, as of their progenitor Ishmael, Genesis 21:20.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 21:17
And the residue of the number - That is, those who shall be left in the invasion.
Sermons on Isaiah 21:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The King and the Kingdom by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of the kingdom of God by knowing the character of the king. The character of the king is demonstra |
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(Through the Bible) Numbers 21-28 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker uses a football game as an analogy to explain how God sees our lives. He emphasizes that God's purposes remain steadfast and sure, even though it may ap |
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The Sure Word of God by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the certainty and fulfillment of God's promises. He uses the example of God's judgment upon Jerusalem to illustrate this point. The preacher |
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Jude: Last Days - Balaam 2 by Martin Geehan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for the love of Christ to be present in the world. He believes that until people have Christ's love in their hearts towards one ano |
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The Sure Word of God - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | This sermon emphasizes the faithfulness of God's Word, highlighting the certainty that what God has spoken, He will bring to pass without fail. It delves into the importance of cho |
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Freeing Failure by Paul De Jong | In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing the unchanging nature of God and how He is always able to do things perfectly. However, the speaker emphasizes that it is us who ch |
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Only Believe by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of walking with someone and encountering a group of tough guys. The speaker's companion becomes afraid, but when the speake |