Isaiah 21:11,12

The Fate of Edom

An oracle concerning Edom, here symbolically called Dumah ('silence'), because of the silence and desolation in store for it. The prophecy, like that which follows, refers to a time when the peoples concerned were in danger, probably from the Assyrians; and, as Sargon was waging war in these districts both in 720 and 711 b.c., the two prophecies may be referred to either of these years.

11, 12. To the enquiring Edomites the prophet gives enigmatic answer—while the immediate future looks bright, calamity is impending.