Isaías 13:7-17

7 Por tanto todas las manos se debilitarán, el corazón de todo hombre desfallecerá,

8 y se aterrarán; dolores y angustias se apoderarán de ellos, como mujer de parto se retorcerán; se mirarán el uno al otro con asombro, rostros en llamas serán sus rostros.

9 He aquí, el día del SEÑOR viene, cruel, con furia y ardiente ira, para convertir en desolación la tierra y exterminar de ella a sus pecadores.

10 Pues las estrellas del cielo y sus constelaciones no destellarán su luz; se oscurecerá el sol al salir, y la luna no irradiará su luz.

11 Castigaré al mundo por su maldad y a los impíos por su iniquidad; también pondré fin a la arrogancia de los soberbios, y abatiré la altivez de los despiadados.

12 Haré al mortal más escaso que el oro puro, y a la humanidad más que el oro de Ofir.

13 Por tanto, haré estremecer los cielos, y la tierra será removida de su lugar ante la furia del SEÑOR de los ejércitos, en el día de su ardiente ira.

14 Y será como gacela perseguida, o como ovejas que nadie reúne; cada uno volverá a su pueblo, y cada uno huirá a su tierra.

15 Cualquiera que sea hallado será traspasado, y cualquiera que sea capturado caerá a espada.

16 También sus pequeños serán estrellados delante de sus ojos; serán saqueadas sus casas y violadas sus mujeres.

17 He aquí, incitaré contra ellos a los medos, que no estiman la plata ni se deleitan en el oro;

Isaías 13:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 13

This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of Babylon, literally understood as a type and exemplar of the destruction of the mystical Babylon, so often spoken of in the book of the Revelation: an account is given of the persons that should be the instruments of it, and of the desolation they should make; which would issue in the utter ruin of that once famous city. The title of the prophecy, and the person that had it, and brought it, are expressed, Isa 13:1 orders are given to the Medes and Persians to prepare for war, Isa 13:2 and are described as the Lord's sanctified ones, his mighty ones, and who rejoiced in his highness, Isa 13:3 by the multitude of them, by the length of the way they came, and the end of their coming, by divine direction, and as the instruments of God's wrath, to destroy the land of the Chaldeans, Isa 13:4,5 wherefore the inhabitants of it are called to howling, because that destruction from the Lord was at hand, Isa 13:6,9 the effects of which were fainting, fear, consternation, pain, and sorrow, without the least relief and comfort, Isa 13:7,8,10 the causes of which were their sin and iniquity, particularly their arrogance, pride, and haughtiness, Isa 13:11 which destruction is further described by the fewness of men that should be left in the land, Isa 13:12 by the strange revolution made in it, and the confusion it should be in, Isa 13:13 by the fear and flight of men, both of their own and other nations, that should be among them, Isa 13:14 by the slaughter of men and children, the plunder of their houses, and the ravishing of their wives, Isa 13:15,16 the persons that should be employed as instruments are mentioned by name, and represented as not to be bribed with gold and silver; and as merciless and uncompassionate, that should spare neither young men nor children, Isa 13:17,18 and the chapter is concluded with a particular account of the destruction of Babylon; which is aggravated, by observing its former glory; by comparing its ruin to the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah; by its being no more to be inhabited by men within, nor to have Arabian shepherds pitching their tents without it; and by being the habitation of wild beasts, satyrs, dragons, and doleful creatures, Isa 13:19-22.