Isaiahchapter 13

22 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 256 cross-references outward and receives 346 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz sees, opens the oracles against the nations. Jehovah of hosts musters a host for battle — consecrated ones summoned from a far country, the weapons of his indignation — and the chapter announces the day of Jehovah: hands feeble, hearts melting, pangs like a woman in travail. The judgment darkens the cosmos itself: stars, constellations, sun, and moon withhold their light, the heavens tremble, and the earth is shaken from its place. Jehovah stirs up the Medes, who regard neither silver nor gold, against the city; infants are dashed and houses rifled. Babylon, the glory of kingdoms and beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, becomes as Sodom and Gomorrah — never again inhabited, home only to wild beasts, ostriches, wolves, and jackals.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

2 Set ye up an ensign upon the bare mountain, lift up the voice unto them, wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

3 I have commanded my consecrated ones, yea, I have called my mighty men for mine anger, even my proudly exulting ones.

4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, as of a great people! the noise of a tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together! Jehovah of hosts is mustering the host for the battle.

5 They come from a far country, from the uttermost part of heaven, even Jehovah, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

6 Wail ye; for the day of Jehovah is at hand; as destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

7 Therefore shall all hands be feeble, and every heart of man shall melt:

8 and they shall be dismayed; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman in travail: they shall look in amazement one at another; their faces shall be faces of flame.

9 Behold, the day of Jehovah cometh, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it.