Isaiah 13:5

5 They come from a distant land, from the end of the heavens, the Lord and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole earth.

Isaiah 13:5 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:5

They come from a far country, from the end of heaven
The east, as Kimchi observes; the Targum is, from the ends of the earth; the furthermost parts of it, as Persia and Media were: the former is bounded on the south side by the main ocean; and the latter, part of it by the Caspian sea; and between Babylon and these kingdoms lay the large kingdom of Assyria; so that this army might be truly said to come from a far country: [even] the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation;
the Medes and Persians, who were the instruments of his wrath and vengeance against Babylon; just as Assyria is called the rod of his anger, ( Isaiah 10:5 ) with these he is said to come, because this army was of his gathering, mustering, ordering, and directing, in his providence; the end and design of which was, to destroy the whole land;
not the whole world, as the Septuagint render it; but the whole land of Chaldea, of which Babylon was the metropolis. The Targum is,

``to destroy all the wicked of the earth.''

Isaiah 13:5 In-Context

3 I myself have commanded my consecrated ones, have summoned my warriors, my proudly exulting ones, to execute my anger.

4 Listen, a tumult on the mountains as of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathering together! The Lord of hosts is mustering an army for battle.

5 They come from a distant land, from the end of the heavens, the Lord and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole earth.

6 Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty!

7 Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every human heart will melt,