Isaiah 13:2

2 Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles.

Isaiah 13:2 in Other Translations

2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

2 On a bare hill raise a signal; cry aloud to them; wave the hand for them to enter the gates of the nobles.

2 “Raise a signal flag on a bare hilltop. Call up an army against Babylon. Wave your hand to encourage them as they march into the palaces of the high and mighty.

2 "Run up a flag on an open hill. Yell loud. Get their attention. Wave them into formation. Direct them to the nerve center of power.

2 Lift up a banner on a barren mountain. Call out to them. Wave your hand, and they will go through the gates of the nobles.

Isaiah 13:2 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:2

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain
Or "upon the mountain Nishphah"; some high mountain in Media or Persia, proper to set a standard on, or erect a banner for the gathering men together, to enlist themselves as soldiers, and so form an army to march into the land of Chaldea. Vitringa thinks there may be an allusion to the mountain Zagrius, which divides Media and Persia from Assyria, mentioned by Strabo ^F24. Or "upon a high mountain"; any high mountain fit for such a purpose; or "against the high mountain", as some ^F25 read it; meaning Babylon, called a mountain, ( Jeremiah 51:25 ) not because of its situation, for it was in a plain; but because of its eminence above other cities and states. The Targum is,

``against the city that dwells securely, lift up a sign;''

a token of war, proclaim war against it, that lives at ease, and is in peace; and so the word is used in the Talmudic language, as Kimchi observes; and to this agrees Jarchi's note,

``to gather against the mountain that is quiet, and trusts in its tranquillity, lift up a banner to the nations.''

Exalt the voice unto them;
the Medes, mentioned by name in ( Isaiah 13:17 ) such as were within call, or were gathered together by the lifting up of the banner; such were to be urged with great vehemency to enlist themselves, and engage in a war against Babylon: shake the hand;
beckon with it to them that are afar off, that cannot hear the voice: that they may go into the gates of the nobles;
that dwell in the city of Babylon, where they might expect to find rich plunder; though some understand this of the nobles or princes of the Medes and Persians, as Kimchi observes, that should enter through the gates of Babylon into the city; and by others it is interpreted of the soldiers coming to the doors of the leaders or generals of the army, to give in their names, and enlist themselves in their service; which well agrees with what goes before.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F24 Geograph. l. 11. p. 359.
F25 (hpvn rh le) "contra montem excelsum", Forerius, Sanctius.

Isaiah 13:2 In-Context

1 A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

2 Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles.

3 I have commanded those I prepared for battle; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath— those who rejoice in my triumph.

4 Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The LORD Almighty is mustering an army for war.

5 They come from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens— the LORD and the weapons of his wrath— to destroy the whole country.

Cross References

• 1. S Psalms 20:5; Jeremiah 50:2; Jeremiah 51:27
• 2. Isaiah 24:12; Isaiah 45:2; Jeremiah 51:58