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Isaiah 13

World English Bible

WEB

1The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw. 2Set up a banner on the bare mountain! Lift up your voice to them! Wave your hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. 3I have commanded my consecrated ones; yes, I have called my mighty men for my anger, even my proudly exulting ones. 4The noise of a multitude is in the mountains, as of a great people; the noise of an uproar of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together! Yahweh of Armies is mustering the army for the battle. 5They come from a far country, from the uttermost part of heaven, even Yahweh, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. 6Wail, for Yahweh’s day is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 7Therefore all hands will be feeble, and everyone’s heart will melt. 8They will be dismayed. Pangs and sorrows will seize them. They will be in pain like a woman in labor. They will look in amazement one at another. Their faces will be faces of flame. 9Behold, the day of Yahweh comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy its sinners out of it. 10For the stars of the sky and its constellations will not give their light. The sun will be darkened in its going out, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. 11I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will humble the arrogance of the terrible. 12I will make people more rare than fine gold, even a person than the pure gold of Ophir. 13Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place in Yahweh of Armies’ wrath, and in the day of his fierce anger. 14It will happen that like a hunted gazelle and like sheep that no one gathers, they will each turn to their own people, and will each flee to their own land. 15Everyone who is found will be thrust through. Everyone who is captured will fall by the sword. 16Their infants also will be dashed in pieces before their eyes. Their houses will be ransacked, and their wives raped. 17Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, who will not value silver, and as for gold, they will not delight in it. 18Their bows will dash the young men in pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb. Their eyes will not spare children. 19Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be like when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20It will never be inhabited, neither will it be lived in from generation to generation. The Arabian will not pitch a tent there, neither will shepherds make their flocks lie down there. 21But wild animals of the desert will lie there, and their houses will be full of jackals. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will frolic there. 22Hyenas will cry in their fortresses, and jackals in the pleasant palaces. Her time is near to come, and her days will not be prolonged.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Isaiah Chapter 13 serves as a prophetic oracle against #Babylon, foretelling its impending destruction and the judgment of God upon this great city. The chapter begins with a call to arms, as the Lord commands the nations to gather and prepare for battle against Babylon. The imagery of a fierce and tumultuous day of the Lord is presented, emphasizing the cosmic upheaval that will accompany this divine judgment. Verses 6-8 vividly describe the terror and anguish that will grip the hearts of those in Babylon, as the day of the Lord approaches like a storm, bringing devastation and despair. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to execute justice against those who oppose Him.

The chapter continues to highlight the reasons for Babylon's downfall, including its pride and arrogance. In verses 19-22, the text emphasizes that Babylon, once a symbol of power and luxury, will become desolate and uninhabited, a haunting reminder of God's judgment. The chapter concludes with a stark warning that the destruction of Babylon will be so complete that wild animals will inhabit its ruins, illustrating the totality of its desolation. This prophecy not only serves as a historical warning to Babylon but also points to the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over earthly powers.

Overall, Isaiah 13 calls believers to recognize the transient nature of worldly empires and the eternal reign of God, encouraging faithfulness and trust in His divine plan. The chapter stands as a testament to God's justice and the certainty of His promises, reminding us that He will ultimately bring about righteousness in His time.

#Isaiah #Prophecy #Babylon #DayOfTheLord #Judgment

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Referenced by

  1. Psalms 137:9v16Psalm 137:9 speaks of the harsh judgment on Babylon, which is echoed in Isaiah 13:16 where the prophecy against Babylon includes similar imagery of destruction.
  2. Jeremiah 50:3v17Jeremiah 50:3 speaks of a nation from the north attacking Babylon, which aligns with Isaiah 13:17-19 where the Medes are prophesied to rise against Babylon, leading to its downfall.
  3. Jeremiah 51:11v17Jeremiah 51:11 speaks of the Medes being stirred up against Babylon, which is also prophesied in Isaiah 13:17 as God using the Medes to execute His judgment on Babylon.
  4. Ezekiel 7:5-6v6Ezekiel 7:5-6 speaks of an 'evil' and 'end' coming, paralleling Isaiah 13:6 which describes the day of the Lord as destruction from the Almighty.
  5. Ezekiel 21:30v5Ezekiel 21:30 calls for the sword to return to its sheath, similar to Isaiah 13:5 where the Lord's weapons of indignation are gathered for destruction.
  6. Ezekiel 22:14v6Ezekiel 22:14 questions if the heart of the people will endure God's judgment, similar to Isaiah 13:6-8, which describes the fear and anguish during the day of the Lord.
  7. Ezekiel 32:7v10Ezekiel 32:7 speaks of darkening the heavens, similar to Isaiah 13:10, which describes cosmic disturbances as a sign of divine judgment.
  8. Joel 1:15v6Joel 1:15 speaks of the 'day of the LORD' as a day of destruction, which is echoed in Isaiah 13:6 as a day of divine wrath and judgment.
  9. Nahum 2:10v6Nahum 2:10 describes desolation and hearts melting, similar to Isaiah 13:6-9 which speaks of the day of the Lord bringing destruction and fear, emphasizing the terror of divine judgment.

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