translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: ISA

label: NET study note

text: The phrase is quite cryptic, at least to the modern reader. Verse 9 seems to indicate that this message pertains to Babylon. Southern Mesopotamia was known as the Sealand in ancient times, because of its proximity to the Persian Gulf. Perhaps the reference to Babylon as a “desert” foreshadows the destruction that would overtake the city, making it like a desolate desert.


text: This is often interpreted to mean “all the groaning” that Babylon has caused others.


text: Smearing the shields with oil would make them more flexible and effective in battle. See J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah (NICOT), 1:394.


text: Seir is another name for Edom. See BDB 973 s.v. שֵׂעִיר .


text: The “night” probably here symbolizes distress and difficult times. See BDB 539 s.v. לַיְלָה .


text: Dumah will experience some relief, but it will be short-lived as night returns.


text: The point of the watchman’s final instructions (“if you want to ask, ask; come again”) is unclear. Perhaps they are included to add realism to the dramatic portrayal. The watchman sends the questioner away with the words, “Feel free to come back and ask again.”