The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
Parallel translations
- WEB The burden of Dumah. One calls to me out of Seir, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?”
- BSB This is the burden against Dumah: One calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?”
- NKJV The burden against Dumah. He calls to me out of Seir, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?”
- NASB The pronouncement concerning Edom: One keeps calling to me from Seir, “Watchman, how far gone is the night? Watchman, how far gone is the night?”
- NLT This message came to me concerning Edom: Someone from Edom keeps calling to me, “Watchman, how much longer until morning? When will the night be over?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
An oracle concerning Edom, with a voice asking the watchman about the night. It matters because it portrays a people anxiously seeking word about their fate.
Overview
The 'burden of Dumah' concerns Edom (Seir), whose people call out, 'Watchman, what of the night?' The question expresses anxious longing to know whether their dark trial will end. It captures the universal human craving for assurance about the future. The brief oracle shows even distant nations falling under the scope of God's word through Isaiah.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Gen 25:14And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
- Obad 1:1–16The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
- Amos 1:6Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom:
- Joel 3:19Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
- Deut 2:5Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
- Ezek 35:1–15Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
- 1 Chr 1:30Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,
- Isa 34:1–17Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.
- Jer 49:7–22Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
- Jer 37:17Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.
- Ps 137:7Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
- Num 24:18And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
- Isa 21:6For thus hath the LORD said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
- Mal 1:2–4I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,
- Gen 32:3And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
- Isa 63:1–6Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
- Amos 1:11–12Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 21:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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