Chapter 21 – FAMILIA MUNDIAL
1 [1] Wastelands by the sea: Babylonia. Negeb: the desert south of Judah.
2 [2] Elam . . . Media: nations which, under the leadership of Cyrus, captured Babylon in 538 B.C. End to all groaning: those who were captive of Babylon shall be freed.
3 [5] Babylon is destroyed while its leaders are feasting; cf Daniel 5. Oil the shield: shields were oiled and greased so as to divert blows more easily.
4 [11-12] Seir: another name for Edom. The Edomites ask the prophet how much longer they must suffer (the night of suffering); he answers ambiguously: «Liberation (morning) and further suffering (night),» but perhaps they will later receive a more encouraging answer (ask, come back again).
5 [13-14] Arabia: that is, the nomad country. Dedanites: an Arab tribe associated with Edom and Tema, and living east of the Red Sea; cf ⇒ Genesis 10:7; ⇒ 25:3; ⇒ Jeremiah 25:23.
6 [16] Year . . . of a hireling: see note on ⇒ 16:14. Kedar: a nomad tribe in Arabia; cf ⇒ Isaiah 42:11; ⇒ 60:7; ⇒ Psalm 120:5.