Isaiah 13:13

13 I will rattle the heavens; the earth will shake loose from its place—because of the rage of the LORD of heavenly forces on the day his anger burns.

Isaiah 13:13 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:13

Therefore will I shake the heavens
Some think this was literally fulfilled at the taking of Babylon, when the heavens were shook with dreadful thunders and lightnings; as well as what is said above of the sun, moon, and stars, not giving their light; and so is likewise what follows, and the earth shall remove out of her place;
and that there was a violent shock by an earthquake at the same time; but rather all this is to be understood figuratively, as expressive of the great confusion men would then be in, it being as if all nature was convulsed, and heaven and earth were coming together, or rather dissolving: in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce
anger;
when that should be; or through it, or because of it, as the Septuagint, see ( Isaiah 13:6 Isaiah 13:9 ) compare with this ( Revelation 16:18-20 ) which expresses the destruction of mystical Babylon in much such language.

Isaiah 13:13 In-Context

11 I will bring disaster upon the world for its evil, and bring their own sin upon the wicked. I will end the pride of the insolent, and the conceit of tyrants I will lay low.

12 I will make humans scarcer than fine gold; people rarer than the gold of Ophir.

13 I will rattle the heavens; the earth will shake loose from its place—because of the rage of the LORD of heavenly forces on the day his anger burns.

14 They will be like hunted gazelles, like sheep without a shepherd; all will turn to their own people and flee to their own lands.

15 Whoever is found will be stabbed; whoever is caught will fall by the sword.