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The Burden against Arabia
Isaiah 21:13–17 is a short prophecy about Arabia. It shows caravans and fugitives in trouble, help given with water and bread, and a timed word from the Lord about Kedar’s coming decline.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage opens as a burden on Arabia and names Dedan, Tema, and Kedar. It first describes people lodging in thickets and fugitives receiving help. Then the reason is given: they are fleeing battle. The closing verses record the Lord’s set announcement that Kedar’s glory and fighters will become few.
Isaiah 21:13–17Main takeaway
This passage presents Yahweh’s spoken word about Kedar as certain, while showing people in urgent need during conflict.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A burden on ArabiaThe message begins, “The burden on Arabia.” It speaks directly to “caravans of Dedanites” and says they will “lodge in the thickets in Arabia”.
Explanation
The message begins, “The burden on Arabia.” It speaks directly to “caravans of Dedanites” and says they will “lodge in the thickets in Arabia”. The verse gives a picture of travellers staying among thickets, which signals a disrupted situation for these caravans.
02Water and bread for fugitivesThe inhabitants of Tema are described meeting fugitives with bread and bringing water to the thirsty.
Explanation
The inhabitants of Tema are described meeting fugitives with bread and bringing water to the thirsty. The text stays focused on simple, urgent provision. These are people in need, and Tema responds with what is necessary for thirst and hunger.
03Flight from battleVerse 15 explains why the fugitives need such help. They “fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the heat of battle”.
Explanation
Verse 15 explains why the fugitives need such help. They “fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the heat of battle”. The repeated wording keeps attention on danger from warfare rather than ordinary travel.
04A counted year and a failing gloryThe Lord gives a precise limit: “Within a year, as a worker bound by contract would count it”.
Explanation
The Lord gives a precise limit: “Within a year, as a worker bound by contract would count it”. In that measured time, “all the glory of Kedar will fail”. The wording stresses a set timeframe and a coming loss for Kedar.
05Kedar’s fighters will be fewThe prophecy ends by naming “the archers” and “the mighty men of the children of Kedar”. Only a residue will remain, and they “will be few”.
Explanation
The prophecy ends by naming “the archers” and “the mighty men of the children of Kedar”. Only a residue will remain, and they “will be few”. The certainty of this message rests in the final statement: “Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken it.”
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which details in the passage show urgent need among these people?
Look for the thickets, the thirsty person, the bread for fugitives, and the list of weapons and battle.
02What does Tema do, and how does verse 15 explain why that help is needed?
Connect the water and bread in verse 14 with the fleeing from swords, bow, and battle in verse 15.
03How does the passage underline that the word about Kedar is not uncertain?
Notice the exact time limit in verse 16 and the closing words that Yahweh has spoken it in verse 17.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 21:13–17
13The burden on Arabia. You will lodge in the thickets in Arabia, you caravans of Dedanites.
14They brought water to him who was thirsty. The inhabitants of the land of Tema met the fugitives with their bread.
15For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the heat of battle.
16For the Lord said to me, “Within a year, as a worker bound by contract would count it, all the glory of Kedar will fail,
17and 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.”