# Isaiah 21 General Notes

#### Structure and formatting

Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 21:1-10, 13-17.

#### Special concepts in this chapter

##### Cush
Dumah and Seir are places in Edom. Part of this chapter is a prophecy against Cush. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])

#### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

##### The desert by the sea
This is a metaphor for an unknown nation. Scholars are divided over the proper identity of this nation, but it is probably Babylon. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

##### Mystery
The fulfillment of this chapter is very mysterious. It is unknown who is truly being addressed and how this is to be fulfilled in history. The translator should not attempt to give the reader insight into this prophecy's fulfillment. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/fulfill]])

## Links:

* __[Isaiah 21:01 Notes](./01.md)__

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