12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.
12 The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again."
12 The watchman says: "Morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; come back again."
12 The night watchman calls back, "Morning's coming, But for now it's still night. If you ask me again, I'll give the same answer."
12 The watchman said, "The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; Return! Come back!"
12 The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but night will soon return. If you wish to ask again, then come back and ask."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 21:12
Commentary on Isaiah 21:11-12
(Read Isaiah 21:11-12)
God's prophets and ministers are as watchmen in the city in a time of peace, to see that all is safe. As watchmen in the camp in time of war, to warn of the motions of the enemy. After a long sleep in sin and security, it is time to rise, to awake out of sleep. We have a great deal of work to do, a long journey to go; it is time to be stirring. After a long dark night is there any hope of the day dawning? What tidings of the night? What happens to-night? We must never be secure. But many make curious inquiries of the watchmen. They would willingly have nice questions solved, or difficult prophecies interpreted; but they do not seek into the state of their own souls, about the way of salvation, and the path of duty. The watchman answers by way of prophecy. There comes first a morning of light, and peace, and opportunity; but afterward comes a night of trouble and calamity. If there be a morning of youth and health, there will come a night of sickness and old age; if a morning of prosperity in the family, in the public, yet we must look for changes. It is our wisdom to improve the present morning, in preparation for the night that is coming after it. Inquire, return, come. We are urged to do it quickly, for there is no time to trifle. Those that return and come to God, will find they have a great deal of work to do, and but little time to do it in.