Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 21:11

11 The burden of Dumah . He calleth to me out of Seir , Watchman , what of the night ? watchman, what of the night ?

Either, 1. of a part of Arabia, so called from Dumah, one of Ismael's Race, Gen. 25. 14. 1 Chron. 1. 30. Or rather, 2. of Edom or Idumea, as seems most probable from the mention of Mount Seir, which was a part of Edom; which may be here called Dumah, either by an abbreviation, or cutting off the first Letter from Idumea, as Ram is put for Aram, 1 Chron. 2. 9. Iob 32. 2. or rather prophetically and sarcastically; for Dumah signifies silent: Whereby he intimates, That Edom, which was much given to vain boasting and railing against God, and against his People, as we read elsewhere, should be brought to silence and utter ruine. And such new, and enigmatical▪ and significant Names are elsewhere given by the Prophets to divers known Places, as Babylon is called Sheshach, Ier. 25. 26. and Egypt, Mazer, Mich. 7. 12. &c.

To wit, Dumah, or the People of Dumah, of whom he speaks, or one of them in the name and by the appointment of the rest.

To the Watchman, as appears by the following Words: For the Prophet delivers his Prophecy in the form of a Dialogue between the People and the Watchman.

Out of Edom, which is frequently called Seir, as Gen. 32. 3. & 36. 8. 2 Chron. 20. 20, &c. & 25. 11.

Whereby he means either, 1. the Prophet Isaiah, whom they call watchman, either seriously, or in scorn, because the Prophets were so called by God, and by the People of the Jews: Or, 2. the Watchman of Edom, whom they had set as People use to do in Times of great Danger.

The night is taken either, 1. metaphorically, for a time of Tribulation. So they ask the Prophet what he hath to say concerning that Night of Calamity which he had so long and oft threatned to them, whereof as yet they saw no appearance: Or, 2 properly; the night being the proper and chief time in which the Watchman's Care is most necessary, because then their Enemies had opportunity to do them most harm. So the People are supposed to come to him very early in the morning, to inquire what hath hapned in the Night; which shews a State of great Perplexity and Fear: which might well be called a burden, both because Fear in it self is a great Torment, and because this Fear was a Sign and Presage of their approaching Miseries.

The repetition of the same Words, shews the greatness of their Solicitude and Fear.