Isaías 13:8-18

8 y todos se aterran.
Les sobrevendrán punzadas de angustia,
como las de una mujer que está de parto.
Se miran unos a otros sin poder hacer nada,
con el rostro encendido de miedo.

9 Pues miren, el día del Señor
ya viene,
el día terrible de su furia y de su ira feroz.
La tierra quedará desolada,
y con ella los pecadores serán destruidos.

10 Los cielos se pondrán negros sobre ellos;
las estrellas no darán luz.
El sol estará oscuro cuando salga
y la luna no iluminará.

11 «Yo, el Señor
, castigaré al mundo por su maldad
y a los perversos por su pecado.
Aplastaré la arrogancia de los soberbios
y humillaré el orgullo de los poderosos.

12 Haré que la gente sea más escasa que el oro;
más escasa que el oro fino de Ofir.

13 Pues sacudiré los cielos
y la tierra se saldrá de su lugar
cuando el Señor
de los Ejércitos Celestiales manifieste su furor
en el día de su ira feroz».

14 En Babilonia todos correrán como gacelas perseguidas,
como ovejas sin pastor.
Intentarán encontrar a los suyos
y huir a su propia tierra.

15 El que sea capturado será destruido,
atravesado con una espada.

16 Ante sus propios ojos, estrellarán a sus niños pequeños hasta matarlos.
Sus hogares serán saqueados, y sus mujeres violadas.

17 «Miren, yo incitaré a los medos contra Babilonia.
No se les puede tentar con plata
ni sobornar con oro.

18 Los ejércitos agresores traspasarán a los jóvenes con sus flechas.
No tendrán misericordia de los indefensos bebés
ni compasión de los niños».

Isaías 13:8-18 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.