The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout

Isaiah 21: Watchman, What of the Night?

Isaiah saw a hard vision about Babylon, called the wilderness of the sea. God told him to set a watchman to report what he saw. The watchman stood on the watchtower day and night until he saw riders coming, and then he announced, Fallen, fallen is Babylon. Next, someone from Seir called out, Watchman, what of the night? The watchman answered that the morning comes, and also the night, and told them to come back and ask again. Isaiah also spoke about Arabia, where the people of Tema brought water and bread to those fleeing from battle.

Go to worksheets ↓

Bible:

Read Isaiah 21

World English Bible · 17 verses

  1. 1 The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it comes from the wilderness, from an awesome land.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  2. 2 A grievous vision is declared to me. The treacherous man deals treacherously, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, Elam; attack! I have stopped all of Media’s sighing.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  3. 3 Therefore my thighs are filled with anguish. Pains have seized me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am in so much pain that I can’t hear. I am so dismayed that I can’t see.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  4. 4 My heart flutters. Horror has frightened me. The twilight that I desired has been turned into trembling for me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  5. 5 They prepare the table. They set the watch. They eat. They drink. Rise up, you princes, oil the shield!This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  6. 6 For the Lord said to me, “Go, set a watchman. Let him declare what he sees.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  7. 7 When he sees a troop, horsemen in pairs, a troop of donkeys, a troop of camels, he shall listen diligently with great attentiveness.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  8. 8 He cried like a lion: “Lord, I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime, and every night I stay at my post.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  9. 9 Behold, here comes a troop of men, horsemen in pairs.” He answered, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the engraved images of her gods are broken to the ground.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  10. 10 You are my threshing, and the grain of my floor!” That which I have heard from Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, I have declared to you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  11. 11 The burden of Dumah. One calls to me out of Seir, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  12. 12 The watchman said, “The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire. Come back again.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  13. 13 The burden on Arabia. You will lodge in the thickets in Arabia, you caravans of Dedanites.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  14. 14 They brought water to him who was thirsty. The inhabitants of the land of Tema met the fugitives with their bread.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  15. 15 For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the heat of battle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  16. 16 For the Lord said to me, “Within a year, as a worker bound by contract would count it, all the glory of Kedar will fail,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  17. 17 and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, will be few; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has spoken it.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

  1. 1Pick a grade below
  2. 2Look over the worksheet
  3. 3Tap Print worksheet. Print the answer key separately.

Pick a grade:

Answer key (print separately)More print options ↓

Open Preschool on its own page

Isaiah 21 · Preschool

The Morning Comes

Name Date

Color the watchman on the tower and the morning sun. God's watchman tells the truth.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

The watchman said, “The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire. Come back again.”

Isaiah 21:12 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: A watchman stays awake to watch for danger. Someone asked him how long the night would last. God is with us at night and in the morning. Let's practice saying: God watches all night long.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

‹ All Isaiah chapters · All books