Isaiah 21:17

Verse

The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

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.

Free Bible Version

There will only be a few left of the archers, the warriors of Kedar.” The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.

Geneva Bible 1599

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.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, will be few; for Yahweh, Elohim Isra'el [He sustains breathing, God of God prevails], has spoken it.”

Translation for Translators

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.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Only a few of the archers, the warriors of Kedar will remain,” for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken.

Noah Webster Bible

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 .

World English Bible

and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, will be few; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken it.”

Young's Literal Translation

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!'

Context

The Burden against Arabia

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.

Summary

In this verse, Isaiah prophesies about the fall of the nation of Edom, symbolizing the judgment and destruction that will come upon the enemies of God's people. The mention of 'a year' signifies a specific timeframe for the fulfillment of this prophecy, indicating that God's plans will come to pass swiftly and decisively. This verse serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice, showing that He will hold nations accountable for their actions and ultimately bring about justice in the world. It also conveys the message that those who oppose God's people will face consequences for their hostility and oppression.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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. 25:12, 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;" Jer 23:31. What God says shall most assuredly come to pass; he cannot be deceived.

Isaiah 21:17

The Burden against Arabia

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

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.

Free Bible Version

There will only be a few left of the archers, the warriors of Kedar.” The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.

Geneva Bible 1599

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.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, will be few; for Yahweh, Elohim Isra'el [He sustains breathing, God of God prevails], has spoken it.”

Translation for Translators

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.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Only a few of the archers, the warriors of Kedar will remain,” for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken.

Noah Webster Bible

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 .

World English Bible

and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, will be few; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken it.”

Young's Literal Translation

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!'

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Isaiah 21:17

Verse

Context

The Burden against Arabia

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Isaiah 21:17

The Burden against Arabia

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes