The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.

ISAIAH 21:14KJV
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Isaiah 21:14 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 21:14 mean?

Isaiah 21:14 describes people living in the land of Tema giving water and bread to those who are fleeing and thirsty. The verse highlights an act of hospitality and care for refugees or travelers in distress.

The setting is the prophet Isaiah speaking about a time of crisis, likely involving refugees escaping conflict or disaster. Tema was a region in Arabia, and its inhabitants are shown responding with kindness to those in need. This moment stands out in a chapter filled with warnings and judgment, showing a glimpse of compassion amid turmoil.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 21:14

  • תֵּימָא (Tēma, H8485): This refers to a region or people in northern Arabia. Mentioning Tema places the scene geographically and shows that the help comes from a specific group known for being travelers or dwellers in the desert.
  • קָדַם (qadam, H6923): Translated here as "prevented," this word often means to go before or meet someone. In this verse, it suggests that the people of Tema actively went out to meet the fleeing people, not just passively waiting for them to arrive.
  • לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899): This is the common Hebrew word for "bread," but it can also mean food in general. The verse shows that the refugees were given basic, life-sustaining provisions.

Why Isaiah 21:14 matters

  • Isaiah 21:14 highlights a moment of mercy and practical help in a chapter otherwise focused on judgment and hardship, reminding readers that acts of kindness can stand out even in dark times.
  • The verse clarifies that the people of Tema did not just offer help by chance; they took initiative to meet and provide for those in need, emphasizing the value of active compassion.
  • This detail connects to the broader biblical theme of caring for strangers and those in distress, showing that such actions are noticed and remembered even in prophetic writings.

Where else these words appear

“Tema” Hebrew H8485 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 25:15 Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:
  • 1 Chronicles 1:30 Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,
  • Job 6:19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

“thirsty” Hebrew H6771 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
  • Psalms 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
  • Isaiah 32:6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

“brought” Hebrew H857 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
  • Psalms 68:31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.
  • Isaiah 44:7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

“prevented” Hebrew H6923 · used in 25 verses

  • Deuteronomy 23:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
  • Psalms 17:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
  • Psalms 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.