Tafsiran Yesaya 21:1: Rashi & Ibn Ezra

The harsh prophecy of the western desert This prophecy refers to Babylonia, as is delineated therein. If you ask, Did he not already prophesy about it (supra 13): “On a tranquil mountain raise a banner,” and the entire chapter? sometimes the prophecy comes into his mouth today in one manner, and later in another manner.

מדבר ים The desert¹Babylon, whose destruction the prophet is going to predict, is already called a desert by prolepsis. of the west, that is, Babylon, which is west of Persia and Media; or the desert of the sea,²The river Euphrates may be called ים sea, on account of its width. ים being taken in its original sense, the sea.

The harsh prophecy of the western desert Jonathan paraphrases: A harsh prophecy concerning the armies that come from the desert, as numerous as the waters of the sea.

like tempests in arid land, to pass Like a tempest that whirls in an arid land, that raises much dust.

to pass So will many camps pass to come upon Babylon.

from the desert they shall come to them (lit.. to her).

from an awesome land Jonathan renders: From a land where mighty deeds have been performed. It is also possible to explain that it is a place of snakes and scorpions, as it is said (Deut. 8: 15): “The great and awesome desert.”