Ésaïe 13:11-21

11 Je punirai le monde pour sa malice, Et les méchants pour leurs iniquités; Je ferai cesser l'orgueil des hautains, Et j'abattrai l'arrogance des tyrans.

12 Je rendrai les hommes plus rares que l'or fin, Je les rendrai plus rares que l'or d'Ophir.

13 C'est pourquoi j'ébranlerai les cieux, Et la terre sera secouée sur sa base, Par la colère de l'Eternel des armées, Au jour de son ardente fureur.

14 Alors, comme une gazelle effarouchée, Comme un troupeau sans berger, Chacun se tournera vers son peuple, Chacun fuira vers son pays;

15 Tous ceux qu'on trouvera seront percés, Et tous ceux qu'on saisira tomberont par l'épée.

16 Leurs enfants seront écrasés sous leurs yeux, Leurs maisons seront pillées, et leurs femmes violées.

17 Voici, j'excite contre eux les Mèdes, Qui ne font point cas de l'argent, Et qui ne convoitent point l'or.

18 De leurs arcs ils abattront les jeunes gens, Et ils seront sans pitié pour le fruit des entrailles: Leur oeil n'épargnera point les enfants.

19 Et Babylone, l'ornement des royaumes, La fière parure des Chaldéens, Sera comme Sodome et Gomorrhe, que Dieu détruisit.

20 Elle ne sera plus jamais habitée, Elle ne sera plus jamais peuplée; L'Arabe n'y dressera point sa tente, Et les bergers n'y parqueront point leurs troupeaux.

21 Les animaux du désert y prendront leur gîte, Les hiboux rempliront ses maisons, Les autruches en feront leur demeure Et les boucs y sauteront.

Ésaïe 13:11-21 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.