Isaiah 21:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Kings are summoned to prepare for battle and make ready their defenses.
The Context of Isaiah 21:5
Transition from vision to the practical exhortations it generates—watchfulness and readiness.
What Does Isaiah 21:5 Mean?
The command shifts from vision to action. Princes and military leaders are called to ready themselves—anoint the shield (prepare weapons), watch from watchtowers (maintain vigilance). Eating and drinking are not indulgence but sustenance before conflict. The language moves from prophecy to the world of real military preparation.
This verse may depict both the false confidence of Babylon's leaders (who believe they can defend themselves) and the actual military readiness of the attacking forces. In either reading, human effort and preparation are shown as real and necessary, even within God's sovereign plan of Babylon's fall.
Isaiah 21:5 in the Original Language
hinnabi (הִנָּבִי), 'behold' or 'arise' — an imperative calling to action and heightened awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 21:5
What does Isaiah 21:5 mean?
Kings are summoned to prepare for battle and make ready their defenses.
What is the context of Isaiah 21:5?
Transition from vision to the practical exhortations it generates—watchfulness and readiness.