And 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:

ISAIAH 21:7KJV
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Isaiah 21:7 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 21:7 mean?

Isaiah 21:7 describes a watchman paying close attention to approaching movement. The pairs of horsemen and the animals he sees are signs he must observe carefully, because his report will carry news about the conflict in the passage.

The verse follows the instruction to appoint a watchman in verse 6. The KJV’s “chariot of asses” and “chariot of camels” place donkeys and camels alongside the horsemen in the scene, giving the watchman several kinds of movement to notice.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 21:7

  • “chariot” — רֶכֶב (rekhev): This word can refer to a chariot or more broadly to a group of riders or vehicles. That range helps explain why the KJV uses “chariot” alongside donkeys and camels as well as horsemen.
  • “couple” — צֶמֶד (tsemed): This word means a pair or something joined together. It draws attention to the horsemen’s arrangement rather than simply their presence.
  • “hearkened” — קָשַׁב (qashav): This word carries the sense of paying close attention. The watchman’s task involves alert listening as well as looking.

Why Isaiah 21:7 matters

  • The watchman’s report is meant to be dependable. His careful attention in verse 7 prepares for the report he gives in verses 8–9.
  • The scene points toward news about Babylon. In verse 9, the arrival of riders is followed by the announcement that Babylon has fallen.

Where else these words appear

“diligently” Hebrew H7182 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 18:29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
  • 2 Kings 4:31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

“couple” Hebrew H6776 · used in 15 verses

  • Judges 19:3 And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
  • 2 Samuel 16:1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
  • Job 1:3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

“hearkened” Hebrew H7181 · used in 45 verses

  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
  • Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
  • Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

“camels” Hebrew H1581 · used in 51 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Genesis 30:43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.
  • 2 Kings 8:9 So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?