Bible Strands
Isaiah 21:17
The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet delivers a divine oracle concerning the judgment of Kedar, concluding the pronouncement made in Isaiah 21:16 about the rapid destruction of that nation's military power. The speaker identifies himself as the LORD, the God of Israel, affirming the certainty of the decree.
The words — The Hebrew term יִמְעָ֑טוּ (yim.'A.tu) literally means "they will be few," describing the drastic reduction of the remaining archers and warriors. The conjunction כִּ֛י (ki) introduces the divine guarantee, translating as "for" or "because."
The thread — This declaration of divine certainty echoes the promise that God will act as He speaks in Numbers 23:19 and Zechariah 1:6. The authoritative closing formula parallels the declaration in Isaiah 1:20 that the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that human military strength is subject to divine timing and limitation. Readers must accept the stated outcome as an unchangeable decree rather than a conditional warning.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James 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.
Cross-references
- Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
- Zechariah 1:6 But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’”
- Isaiah 1:20 But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
- Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
- Psalms 107:39 When they are decreased and humbled by oppression, evil, and sorrow,
- Isaiah 10:18 The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man.
- Isaiah 17:4 “In that day the splendor of Jacob will fade, and the fat of his body will waste away,
- Jeremiah 44:29 This will be a sign to you that I will punish you in this place, declares the LORD, so that you may know that My threats of harm against you will surely stand.