Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Look, here comes a man in a chariot with a team of horses. And he gives back the answer: ‘Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!’” New Living Translation Now at last—look! Here comes a man in a chariot with a pair of horses!” Then the watchman said, “Babylon is fallen, fallen! All the idols of Babylon lie broken on the ground!” English Standard Version And behold, here come riders, horsemen in pairs!” And he answered, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground.” Berean Standard Bible Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!” King James Bible And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. New King James Version And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!” Then he answered and said, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground.” New American Standard Bible “Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground.” NASB 1995 “Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground.” NASB 1977 “Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered and said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground.” Legacy Standard Bible Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered and said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the graven images of her gods are shattered on the ground.” Amplified Bible “Now look! Here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the carved images of her gods are shattered on the ground.” Christian Standard Bible Look, riders come — horsemen in pairs.” And he answered, saying, “Babylon has fallen, has fallen. All the images of her gods have been shattered on the ground.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Look, riders come— horsemen in pairs.” And he answered, saying,” Babylon has fallen, has fallen. All the images of her gods have been shattered on the ground.” American Standard Version and, behold, here cometh a troop of men, horsemen in pairs. And he answered and said, Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the graven images of her gods are broken unto the ground. Contemporary English Version Now I see column after column of cavalry troops." At once someone shouted, "Babylon has fallen! Every idol in the city lies broken on the ground." English Revised Version and, behold, here cometh a troop of men, horsemen in pairs. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods are broken unto the ground. GOD'S WORD® Translation Look! Here come chariots and horsemen in pairs." Then he said, "Babylon has fallen! It has fallen! All the idols they worship lie shattered on the ground." Good News Translation Suddenly, here they come! Riders on horseback, two by two. The sentry gives the news, "Babylon has fallen! All the idols they worshiped lie shattered on the ground." International Standard Version Look! Here come riders, each man with a pair of horses!" They're shouting out the answer: "Babylon has fallen, has fallen, and they have shattered all the images of her gods on the ground! Majority Standard Bible Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.? And one answered, saying: ?Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!? NET Bible Look what's coming! A charioteer, a team of horses." When questioned, he replies, "Babylon has fallen, fallen! All the idols of her gods lie shattered on the ground!" New Heart English Bible Look, here comes a troop of men, horsemen in pairs." He answered, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the engraved images of her gods are broken to the ground. Webster's Bible Translation And behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken to the ground. World English Bible Behold, here comes a troop of men, horsemen in pairs.” He answered, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the engraved images of her gods are broken to the ground. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd behold, this, the chariot of a man is coming, "" A couple of horsemen.” And he answers and says: “Fallen, fallen has Babylon, "" And He has broken all the carved images of her gods to the earth. Young's Literal Translation And lo, this, the chariot of a man is coming, A couple of horsemen.' And he answereth and saith: 'Fallen, fallen hath Babylon, And all the graven images of her gods He hath broken to the earth. Smith's Literal Translation And behold, here came a chariot, a man, a pair of horsemen. And he will answer and say, She fell, Babel fell; and the carved images of her god he brake in pieces to the earth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold this man cometh, the rider upon the chariot with two horsemen, and he answered, and said: Babylon is fallen, she is fallen, and all the graven gods thereof are broken unto the ground. Catholic Public Domain Version Behold, a certain man approaches, a man riding on a two-horse chariot.” And he responded, and he said: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! And all its graven gods have been crushed into the earth! New American Bible Here he comes— a single chariot, a pair of horses— He calls out and says, ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods are smashed to the ground!’ ” New Revised Standard Version Look, there they come, riders, horsemen in pairs!” Then he responded, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd, behold, there came a man from the pair of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods are broken to the ground. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And behold, a man came from the riders of the horsemen and answered and said: “Babel has fallen and all of its gods! The carved images have been broken down in the land! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And, behold, there came a troop of men, horsemen by pairs. And he spoke and said: 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the graven images of her gods are broken unto the ground.' Brenton Septuagint Translation and, behold, he comes riding in a chariot and pair: and he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all her images and her idols have been crushed to the ground. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Babylon is Fallen…8Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post. 9Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!” 10O my people, crushed on the threshing floor, I tell you what I have heard from the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel.… Cross References Revelation 18:2 And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. Jeremiah 51:8 Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed. Jeremiah 51:64 Then you are to say, ‘In the same way Babylon will sink and never rise again, because of the disaster I will bring upon her. And her people will grow weary.’” Here end the words of Jeremiah. Revelation 14:8 Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.” Jeremiah 50:2 “Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’ Revelation 17:5 And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 18:10 In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” Jeremiah 50:39 So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there and ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation. Jeremiah 51:47 Therefore, behold, the days are coming when I will punish the idols of Babylon. Her entire land will suffer shame, and all her slain will lie fallen within her. Revelation 18:21 Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again. Jeremiah 51:25-26 “Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, you who devastate the whole earth, declares the LORD. I will stretch out My hand against you; I will roll you over the cliffs and turn you into a charred mountain. / No one shall retrieve from you a cornerstone or a foundation stone, because you will become desolate forever,” declares the LORD. Revelation 16:19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath. Jeremiah 51:37 Babylon will become a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals, an object of horror and scorn, without inhabitant. Revelation 19:2 For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.” Jeremiah 51:58 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.” Treasury of Scripture And, behold, here comes a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he has broken to the ground. behold Jeremiah 50:3,9,29,42 For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast… Jeremiah 51:27 Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers. Babylon Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. Isaiah 14:4 That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! Jeremiah 50:2 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces. all Isaiah 46:1,2 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast… Jeremiah 50:2,38 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces… Jeremiah 51:44,47,52 And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall… Jump to Previous Babylon Broken Chariot Couple Engraved Fallen Gives Gods Graven Ground Horsemen Horses Images Lie Pairs Riders Shattered Team Troop Twos War-CarriagesJump to Next Babylon Broken Chariot Couple Engraved Fallen Gives Gods Graven Ground Horsemen Horses Images Lie Pairs Riders Shattered Team Troop Twos War-CarriagesIsaiah 21 1. The prophet, bewailing the captivity of his people, 6. sees in a vision the fall of Babylon by the Medes and Persians. 11. Edom, scorning the prophet, is moved to repentance. 13. The set time of Arabia's calamity. Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs. This phrase introduces a vision of approaching riders, symbolizing the swift and decisive nature of the message they bring. In the ancient Near Eastern context, horsemen were often used for rapid communication and military purposes. The imagery of "horsemen in pairs" suggests a sense of urgency and certainty in the message they deliver. This vision is part of a prophetic oracle against Babylon, a dominant power known for its idolatry and oppression. The pairing of horsemen may also symbolize the completeness and reliability of the message, as two witnesses were required to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15). And one answered, saying: Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground! Persons / Places / Events 1. BabylonA significant city and empire in ancient Mesopotamia, often symbolizing human pride and opposition to God. In Isaiah 21:9, Babylon's fall is prophesied, representing the collapse of a powerful, idolatrous nation. 2. Riders, Horsemen in Pairs These figures symbolize the messengers or witnesses of Babylon's fall. Their arrival signifies the fulfillment of God's judgment against Babylon. 3. Images of Her Gods Refers to the idols worshiped in Babylon. Their shattering signifies the impotence of false gods in the face of the true God's sovereignty. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod's control over the rise and fall of empires is evident. No nation, regardless of its power, can withstand His judgment when it turns away from Him. The Futility of Idolatry The shattering of Babylon's idols serves as a reminder of the emptiness of worshiping anything other than the one true God. Believers are called to examine their lives for modern-day idols that may distract from true worship. The Certainty of God's Promises The fulfillment of prophecy regarding Babylon's fall assures us that God's promises are reliable. This encourages believers to trust in His word and His plans for the future. The Call to Repentance The fall of Babylon is a warning to all who live in pride and rebellion against God. It is a call to repentance and humility before the Lord. Hope in God's Justice The destruction of Babylon provides hope that God will ultimately bring justice to the world, righting wrongs and establishing His righteous kingdom.(9) And, behold, here cometh . . .--Better, Behold, there came . . . The words narrate a second vision, not the watchman's narrative of the first. He sees now, as it were, a part of the cavalcade which he had beheld before, and now it is no longer silent, but reports what has been accomplished. "Babylon is fallen, is fallen!" The words are applied to the destruction of the mystical Babylon in Revelation 14:8; Revelation 18:2. Stress is laid on the destruction of the idols of Babylon by the iconoclastic Persians.Verse 9. - And, behold, here cometh, etc. Our translators make the words those of the watchman. But they are better taken as the prophet's statement of a fact, "And behold, just then there cometh a troop of men, riding two and two" - the sign for which he was to watch (ver. 7), or rather the first part of it. We must suppose the rest of the sign to follow, and the watchman then to listen awhile attentively. Suddenly he hears the sound of a sacked town, and he exclaims, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, etc. All the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. Recent documents, belonging to the time of Cyrus, and treating of his capture of Babylon, show that this expression is not to be understood literally. Cyrus was not an iconoclast; he did not break into pieces, or in any way destroy or insult the Babylonian idols. On the contrary, he maintained them in their several shrines, or restored them where they had been displaced; he professed himself a worshipper of the chief Babylonian gods - Bel, Nebo, and Merodach - he repaired the temple of Merodach; he prayed to Bel and Nebo to lengthen his days; he caused his son, Cambyses, to take part in the great religious ceremony wherewith the Babylonians opened the new year. Thus his conquest of Babylon did not bring upon its gods a physical, but only a moral, destruction. The Persian victory discredited and degraded them. It proclaimed to Western Asia that the idolatrous system so long prevalent in the region between Mount Zagros and the Mediterranean was no longer in the ascendant, but lay at the mercy of another quite different religion, which condescended to accord it toleration. Such was the permanent result. No doubt there was also, in the sack of the city, much damage done to many of the idols by a greedy soldiery, who may have carried off many images of gold or silver, and broken up others that were not portable, and stripped off the plates of precious metal from the idols of "brass, and iron, and wood, and stone" (Daniel 5:6). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Look,וְהִנֵּה־ (wə·hin·nêh-) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! here זֶ֥ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that come בָא֙ (ḇā) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go the riders, רֶ֣כֶב (re·ḵeḇ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7393: A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone horsemen פָּֽרָשִׁ֑ים (pā·rā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6571: A steed, a driver, cavalry in pairs.” צֶ֖מֶד (ṣe·meḏ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6776: A couple, pair And one answered, וַיַּ֣עַן (way·ya·‘an) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond saying, וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Fallen, נָפְלָ֤ה (nā·p̄ə·lāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie fallen is נָֽפְלָה֙ (nā·p̄ə·lāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie Babylon! בָּבֶ֔ל (bā·ḇel) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city All וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the images פְּסִילֵ֥י (pə·sî·lê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6456: An idol, image of her gods אֱלֹהֶ֖יהָ (’ĕ·lō·he·hā) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative lie shattered שִׁבַּ֥ר (šib·bar) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces on the ground.” לָאָֽרֶץ׃ (lā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Links Isaiah 21:9 NIVIsaiah 21:9 NLT Isaiah 21:9 ESV Isaiah 21:9 NASB Isaiah 21:9 KJV Isaiah 21:9 BibleApps.com Isaiah 21:9 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 21:9 Chinese Bible Isaiah 21:9 French Bible Isaiah 21:9 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 21:9 Behold here comes a troop of men (Isa Isi Is) |
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