Isaiah 21 (KJV)

17 verses · King James Version · Formal equivalence (word-for-word)

The King James Version is the most influential English Bible translation in history. Commissioned by King James I and completed in 1611, it shaped the English language itself. Its majestic prose and formal accuracy make it beloved for memorization and liturgical use.

Isaiah Chapter 21 contains 17 verses and is presented here in the King James Version (KJV), which uses a formal equivalence (word-for-word) approach. Read the full text below, compare with other translations, or navigate to any of the 66 chapters in Isaiah.

NIVESVNLTMSGNASB
Chapter 20Chapter 22

1The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

2A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. <sup>grievous: Heb. hard</sup>

3Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

4My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. <sup>heart: or, mind wandered</sup> <sup>turned: Heb. put</sup>

5Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.

6For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.

7And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:

8And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: <sup>he: or, cried as a lion</sup> <sup>whole: or, every night</sup>

9And, 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.

10O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you. <sup>corn: Heb. son</sup>

11The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

12The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

13The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.

14The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. <sup>brought: or, bring ye</sup>

15For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. <sup>from the swords: or, for fear, etc: Heb. from the face, etc</sup>

16For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:

17And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it. <sup>archers: Heb. bows</sup>

Chapter 20Read in NIVChapter 22

About This Translation

What is Isaiah 21 in the KJV?

Isaiah 21 in the King James Version (KJV) contains 17 verses. The KJV uses a formal equivalence (word-for-word) approach, first published in 1611.

How does the KJV translate Isaiah 21 differently?

The King James Version uses formal equivalence (word-for-word), preserving the classic English of 1611. Compare this with the NIV (dynamic equivalence) version of Isaiah 21 for a different perspective.

How many verses are in Isaiah 21 (KJV)?

Isaiah Chapter 21 contains 17 verses in the King James Version. The book of Isaiah has 66 chapters total.

Isaiah (KJV) — All 66 Chapters