Isaiah 13:1

1 This is the divine revelation which Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw about Babylon.

Isaiah 13:1 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:1

The burden of Babylon
That is, a prophecy concerning Babylon, as the word is rendered, ( Proverbs 31:1 ) . The Septuagint and Arabic versions translate it "the vision"; it signifies a taking up F23 a speech against it, and pronouncing a heavy sentence on it, such an one as should sink it into utter destruction; which will be the case of mystical Babylon, when it shall be as a millstone cast into the sea, never to be brought up again, ( Revelation 18:21 ) . The Targum is,

``the burden of the cup of cursing to give Babylon to drink:''
after some prophecies concerning the Messiah and his kingdom, and the church's song of praise for salvation by him, others are delivered out concerning the enemies of the people of God, and their destruction, and begin with Babylon the chief of these enemies, and into whose hands the people of Israel would be delivered for a while; wherefore this prophecy is given forth, in order to lay a foundation for comfort and relief, when that should be their case; by which it would appear that they should have deliverance from them by the same hand that should overthrow them: which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see:
by a spirit of prophecy; for this he saw not with his bodily eyes, though it was as clear and certain to him as if he had. The Targum is,
``which Isaiah the son of Amoz prophesied.''

FOOTNOTES:

F23 (avm) a (avn) "tollere".

Isaiah 13:1 In-Context

1 This is the divine revelation which Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw about Babylon.
2 Raise a banner on the bare mountaintop. Call loudly to them. Signal them with your hand to enter the nobles' gates.
3 I've commanded my holy ones. I've called my mighty men to carry out my anger. They find joy in my triumphs.
4 Listen to the noise on the mountains. It is like the sound of a large army. It is the sound of kingdoms and nations gathering together. The LORD of Armies is assembling his army for battle.
5 His army is coming from a distant land, from the ends of heaven. The LORD is coming with the weapons of his fury to destroy the whole world.
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