For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
Parallel translations
- WEB For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the heat of battle.
- BSB For they flee from the sword—the sword that is drawn—from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle.
- NKJV For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, From the bent bow, and from the distress of war.
- NASB For they have fled from the swords, From the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, And from the press of battle.
- NLT They have fled from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and the terrors of battle.
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
The refugees flee from the swords, bows, and fury of battle. It matters because it explains the cause of their desperate flight: imminent war.
Overview
The fugitives run from drawn swords, bent bows, and the heat of conflict. The vivid military imagery makes clear that war is overtaking the region. Arabia's caravans and peoples are caught up in the violence God has foretold. It reinforces that no nation is beyond the reach of the upheaval Isaiah announces.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Job 6:19–20The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
- Isa 13:14And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 21:15 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.