A prophecy of impending disaster hangs over the tribes of Kedar, setting a strict and absolute deadline for their downfall. The decree was sealed against them specifically because they failed to show kindness to others [אבן עזרא]. The prophet declares that their ruin will arrive in exactly one year, measured precisely from the very day the prophecy was delivered [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. While the exact historical date of this declaration remains unknown, it is thought to be connected to a previous prophecy regarding Dumah. It serves as an invitation to look back a year later and witness the exact fulfillment of the prophet's words [שד״ל].
The nature of this final year is compared to the time of a hired worker. The primary approach among commentators is that this comparison highlights strict precision. Just as a laborer carefully counts the days of his contract until the exact moment he is free to leave, the year allotted to Kedar will be precise, with no extra time added and no delays granted. On the other hand, another perspective suggests the comparison focuses on the quality of the time rather than its exactness. For the people of Kedar, this final year will feel incredibly long, exhausting, and difficult, mirroring the hard life of a hired laborer [אבן עזרא].
When this year reaches its end, everything that makes up the greatness of Kedar will vanish. Their greatness does not refer to majesty or prestige, but rather to their massive population and vast camps. The overwhelming majority of these Arab tribes will be completely destroyed, suffering a crushing defeat [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. About a century later, the prophet Jeremiah once again foretells the destruction of Kedar. This does not conflict with the earlier timeline. It is highly likely that their vast numbers were indeed wiped out during this initial timeframe, but over the next century, the tribes managed to rebuild their strength before facing a second, devastating blow at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar [שד״ל].