The Burden of Dumah
Buchanan Blake, B. D. Isaiah 21:11-12 The burden of Dumah. He calls to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?… Like Moab, Edom had once formed part of David's dominions, but in the days of disruption and weakness both had rebelled. What about Edom now? When Moab was so soon to fall — when the Assyrian was spreading devastation all around — what was to be Edom's fate? The prophet hears the appeal addressed to him as God's watchman and with anxious repetition. The words, "Watchman, what of the night? How much of the night has passed?" contain the cry of perplexity and a demand for light and guidance. But the answer is an oracle of silence. Not yet is Edom to be told what is God's will concerning her future. She is assured that there will be alternations of light and darkness for her as for all in the time of their probation. Meanwhile, patience is to have its perfect work; and after a little while she may inquire again. A later prophecy shows the work of Divine judgment on this land. (Buchanan Blake, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? WEB: The burden of Dumah. One calls to me out of Seir, "Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?"