Isaiah 21:5 - They prepare the table. They set the watch. They eat. They drink. Rise up, you princes, oil the shield!
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What does "Isaiah 21:5" mean?
Isaiah 21:5 is part of a prophetic oracle against Babylon. Let's break down the verse and try to understand its meaning within that context:
"They prepare the table. They set the watch. They eat. They drink." This describes a scene of false security and complacency among the Babylonian elite. They are feasting and carousing, believing themselves to be safe and secure. The watch is set, but it's a perfunctory gesture, not a sign of genuine vigilance. They are indulging in pleasure and oblivious to the impending danger.
"Rise up, you princes, oil the shield!" This is a sudden and jarring call to action. The revelry is over, and the reality of an imminent attack breaks through.
"Rise up, you princes": A direct address to the Babylonian rulers. They are being jolted out of their complacency.
"Oil the shield!": This refers to the ancient practice of oiling leather shields to make them more pliable, resistant to blows, and ready for battle. It's a call to prepare for war immediately. The fact that they need to oil the shields suggests they have been neglected and left unused for some time.
Overall Meaning:
The verse highlights the sudden and unexpected collapse of Babylon. It contrasts the initial scene of luxurious complacency with the sudden imperative to prepare for battle. The princes are caught off guard, forced to scramble and prepare for an attack that they didn't anticipate.
Symbolic Interpretation:
This verse serves as a warning against complacency and false security. It suggests that even the most powerful and seemingly invincible empires can be vulnerable when they become decadent and lose their vigilance. The "table," "watch," "eating," and "drinking" represent the trappings of power and luxury that can blind people to real threats. The command to "oil the shield" symbolizes the need to be constantly prepared and aware of potential dangers.
In the context of the entire chapter (Isaiah 21), this verse leads to the prophecy of Babylon's fall:
The prophet Isaiah is relaying a vision he received from God, foretelling the conquest of Babylon by the Medes and Persians. The complacency described in verse 5 is a prelude to the devastating events that follow. Babylon will be caught unprepared, and its fall will be swift and decisive.
In summary, Isaiah 21:5 is a vivid portrayal of Babylonian arrogance and unpreparedness on the eve of their downfall, serving as a broader lesson about the dangers of complacency.
Isaiah 21:5 - They prepare the table. They set the watch. They eat. They drink. Rise up, you princes, oil the shield!
What does "Isaiah 21:5" mean?
Isaiah 21:5 is part of a prophetic oracle against Babylon. Let's break down the verse and try to understand its meaning within that context:
"They prepare the table. They set the watch. They eat. They drink." This describes a scene of false security and complacency among the Babylonian elite. They are feasting and carousing, believing themselves to be safe and secure. The watch is set, but it's a perfunctory gesture, not a sign of genuine vigilance. They are indulging in pleasure and oblivious to the impending danger.
"Rise up, you princes, oil the shield!" This is a sudden and jarring call to action. The revelry is over, and the reality of an imminent attack breaks through.
"Rise up, you princes": A direct address to the Babylonian rulers. They are being jolted out of their complacency.
"Oil the shield!": This refers to the ancient practice of oiling leather shields to make them more pliable, resistant to blows, and ready for battle. It's a call to prepare for war immediately. The fact that they need to oil the shields suggests they have been neglected and left unused for some time.
Overall Meaning:
The verse highlights the sudden and unexpected collapse of Babylon. It contrasts the initial scene of luxurious complacency with the sudden imperative to prepare for battle. The princes are caught off guard, forced to scramble and prepare for an attack that they didn't anticipate.
Symbolic Interpretation:
This verse serves as a warning against complacency and false security. It suggests that even the most powerful and seemingly invincible empires can be vulnerable when they become decadent and lose their vigilance. The "table," "watch," "eating," and "drinking" represent the trappings of power and luxury that can blind people to real threats. The command to "oil the shield" symbolizes the need to be constantly prepared and aware of potential dangers.
In the context of the entire chapter (Isaiah 21), this verse leads to the prophecy of Babylon's fall:
The prophet Isaiah is relaying a vision he received from God, foretelling the conquest of Babylon by the Medes and Persians. The complacency described in verse 5 is a prelude to the devastating events that follow. Babylon will be caught unprepared, and its fall will be swift and decisive.
In summary, Isaiah 21:5 is a vivid portrayal of Babylonian arrogance and unpreparedness on the eve of their downfall, serving as a broader lesson about the dangers of complacency.