Isaiah 21:17
“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.””
What does Isaiah 21:17 mean?
This brief prophecy announces that God will drastically reduce the military strength of Kedar, an Arabian tribal group known for their skilled archers and warriors. The word "residue" means what's left over, emphasizing that very few of their fighters will survive what's coming. Isaiah is delivering God's judgment against these people, assuring his own audience that their enemies' power will be broken. It's a reminder that no earthly military force, no matter how feared or skilled, stands against God's purposes.