The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
14. To meet the thirsty bring waters. {Bogus footnote} He heightens the description of that trembling with which the Lord had determined to strike the Arabians in such a manner that they thought of nothing but flight, and did not take time even to collect those things which were necessary for the journey.
Arabia was a large country, that lay eastward and southward of the land of Canaan. Much of it was possessed by the posterity of Abraham. The Dedanim, here mentioned (Isa 21:13), descended from Dedan, Abraham's son by Keturah; the inhabitants of Tema and Kedar descended from Ishmael, Gen 25:3, Gen 25:13, Gen 25:15.
Commenting on Isaiah 21:13-17
The inhabitants of the land of Tema,.... This country had its name from Tema, one of the sons of Ishmael, Gen 25:15. The Targum calls it the land of the south, as if it was Teman. These people were Arabians, and are here said to assist their countrymen, the Dedanites, in distress: brought water to him that was thirsty; as travellers are wont to be...