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Isaiah 21:14

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 21:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Unto him that was thirsty they brought water; the inhabitants of the land of Tema did meet the fugitives with their bread.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Unto him that was thirsty they brought water; the inhabitants of the land of Tema did meet the fugitives with their bread.
Isaiah 21:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11The burden of Dumah. One calleth unto me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
12The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: turn ye, come.
13The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye caravans of Dedanites.
14Unto him that was thirsty they brought water; the inhabitants of the land of Tema did meet the fugitives with their bread.
15For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
16For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, all the glory of Kedar shall fail;
17and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be few; for Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath spoken it.
← Isaiah 21:13Isaiah 21:15 →
← Full Chapter 21 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The inhabitants of the land of Tema, &c.] This country had its name from Tema, one of the sons of Ishmael, (<012515>Genesis 25:15). The Targum calls it the land of the south, as if it was Teman. These people were Arabians, and are here said to assist their countrymen, the Dedanites, in distress: brought water to him that was thirsty; as travellers are wont to be, especially in a desert land, and when fleeing from an enemy; in which circumstances the travelling companies of Dedanim now were: they prevented with their bread him that fled; gave it to him, being hungry and necessitous, without asking for it. Now all this seems to show what calamities should come upon the inhabitants of some…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Tema--a kindred tribe: an oasis in that region (Jer 25:23). The Temeans give water to the faint and thirsting Dedanites; the greatest act of hospitality in the burning lands of the East, where water is so scarce. prevented--that is, anticipated the wants of the fugitive Dedanites by supplying bread (Gen 14:18). their bread--rather, "his (the fugitive's) bread"; the bread due to him, necessary for his support; so "thy grave" (Isa 14:19), [MAURER].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Of the land of Tema - Tema was one of the sons of Ishmael Genesis 25:15, and is supposed to have populated the city of Thema in Arabia Deserta. The word denotes hero one of the tribes of Ishmael, or of the Arabians. Job speaks Job 6:19 of ‘the troops of Tema,’ and Jeremiah Jeremiah 25:23 connects Tema and Dedan together. Jerome and Eusebius say that the village of Theman (Θαιμάν Thaiman) existed in their time. It was, according to Jerome, five, and according to Eusebius, fifteen miles from Petra, and was then occupied as a Roman garrison (Onomas Urb. et Locor). Ptolemy speaks of a city called Themme (Θαιμάν Themmē) in Arabia Deserta. This city lies, according to D’Anville, in longitude 57…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Tema - A part of Arabia. Fled - Whereby he implies, that those other Arabians, against whom this prophecy is principally directed, should be reduced to great scarcity, and forced to flee for their lives, from a bloody enemy. Isaiah 21:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:14 Tema was an oasis in Arabia on a main trade route from Babylon.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Tema: Gen 25:15; Ch1 1:30; Job 6:19 brought: or, bring ye, Isa 16:3, Isa 16:4; Jdg 8:4-8; Pro 25:21; Rom 12:20; Pe1 4:9 Isaiah 21:15”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification