They flee from weapons and battle as a vivid sign of the Lord’s judgment and a reminder of His ultimate sovereignty over nations.
For they have fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow and from the press of battle (Isaiah 21:15). In this prophecy concerning Arabia, the prophet Isaiah (who ministered in the 8th century BC) describes a scene of refugees desperately escaping a fierce invasion. The mention of “drawn sword” and “bent bow” emphasizes the imminent danger they faced, while “the press of battle” indicates the intensity of conflict driving them from their homes. Contextually, this verse appears alongside references to nearby locations such as Dumah and Tema, both situated in the Arabian desert region east of Canaan. Dumah lies in a place the Arabs once called “Dūmat al-Jundal,” modern-day Al-Jawf, while Tema occupied a famous oasis on a vital caravan route.
As these fugitives flee “from the swords,” the broader picture is that of God’s judgment upon the land and the ensuing chaos of war. Their plight highlights the fragility of earthly security—one moment, people live in relative peace; the next, they must abandon everything to seek refuge. Isaiah reveals through this poetic image that human power structures rise and fall at the prompting of God’s sovereign plan (Isaiah 40:23). In the New Testament, Jesus likewise speaks of times when believers should flee danger and trust God’s provision, a reminder that divine rescue and justice often come through obedient action and faith in the Lord (Matthew 24:16-18).
The verse also underscores God’s awareness of human suffering. Even as armies clash and people scatter, Scripture teaches that the Lord invites the weary to find comfort in Him (Isaiah 57:15). Though the prophecy primarily addresses historical events in Arabia, it also illustrates a timeless truth: in seasons of peril, those who humbly trust God may discover His faithfulness.
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Isaiah 21:15 meaning
For they have fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow and from the press of battle (Isaiah 21:15). In this prophecy concerning Arabia, the prophet Isaiah (who ministered in the 8th century BC) describes a scene of refugees desperately escaping a fierce invasion. The mention of “drawn sword” and “bent bow” emphasizes the imminent danger they faced, while “the press of battle” indicates the intensity of conflict driving them from their homes. Contextually, this verse appears alongside references to nearby locations such as Dumah and Tema, both situated in the Arabian desert region east of Canaan. Dumah lies in a place the Arabs once called “Dūmat al-Jundal,” modern-day Al-Jawf, while Tema occupied a famous oasis on a vital caravan route.
As these fugitives flee “from the swords,” the broader picture is that of God’s judgment upon the land and the ensuing chaos of war. Their plight highlights the fragility of earthly security—one moment, people live in relative peace; the next, they must abandon everything to seek refuge. Isaiah reveals through this poetic image that human power structures rise and fall at the prompting of God’s sovereign plan (Isaiah 40:23). In the New Testament, Jesus likewise speaks of times when believers should flee danger and trust God’s provision, a reminder that divine rescue and justice often come through obedient action and faith in the Lord (Matthew 24:16-18).
The verse also underscores God’s awareness of human suffering. Even as armies clash and people scatter, Scripture teaches that the Lord invites the weary to find comfort in Him (Isaiah 57:15). Though the prophecy primarily addresses historical events in Arabia, it also illustrates a timeless truth: in seasons of peril, those who humbly trust God may discover His faithfulness.