John Trapp on Isaiah 21:11-12

Ver. 11. The burden of Dumah] i. e. Of Idumea, or of the Edomites: Onus Idumea. Sept. for burden, ſee on chap. 31.1. This Propheſie is the ſhorter, the harder. The Jews apply this Propheſie to Rome: they read for Dumah Roma: the Romans they call the new Idumaeans, and the Popes Kingdom the wicked Kingdom of Edom. Some of them ſay that Julius Caeſaer was an Idumean: Others that Aeneas came out of Idumea into Egypt, from thence into Lybia, thence to Carthage, thence to Italy: and that there he built Alba out of which ſprang Rome. The riſe of this Fiction ſeemeth to have been the deſtruction of the Jewiſh State by Titus and his Romans, who were thereupon for their cruelty by thoſe Jews called Edomites.

He calleth to me out of Seir] Or, One is calling to me out of Seir, which was a Mountain poſſeſſed by the Edomites.

Cuſtos, quid de nocte. Watchman, what of the night?] Interrogatio Ironica eſt at que ſarcaſtica; a ſcoffing queſtion whereby the Prophet is derided and upbraided with falſe foretelling a night of miſery to the Edomites, when as they felt no change, but enjoyed rather a lightſome morning; a fine time, as we ſay, of liberty and proſperity.

Non omnium dicrum ſol occidit Neſcis quid ſerus veſper vehat.Ver. 12. The Watchman ſaid, The morning cometh, and alſo the night] This is a ſhort and ſharp anſwer, q. d. ſay it be yet morning with you and clear day; yet, as ſure as the night followeth the day, a change will come, ſuch as whereof you ſhall have ſmall comfort.

If ye will enquire] ſc. of the Lord by me, whom you call Watchman in diſdain: but I profeſs my ſelf to be ſo, that is, to be a Prophet; and do take it for an honour.

Enquire ye] Do it ſeriouſly and not ſarcaſtically: be not ye mockers, leſt your bonds be encreaſed, chap. 28.22.

Return] To God by true Repentance.

Come] Come over to us who are his people. And all this is delivered by an Elegant Aſyndeton in ſhort and quick terms; importing that haſte muſt be made, if the forementioned danger ſhall be prevented. Habent aulae ſuum cito, cito; they muſt be nimble that ſhall find favour in the Court of Heaven. It is an unſafe thing always to begin to live. How many are taken away in their offers and eſſays, before they have prepared their hearts to cleave to God? Caſtigemus ergo mores & moras: Up therefore and be doing that the Lord may be with you.