Isaiah 13:4

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

Isaiah 13:4 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:4

The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a
great people
That is, like the noise of a very numerous people; this noise was heard either on the mountains of Media, where they flocked in vast numbers to the standard set; or on the mountains upon the borders of Chaldea, when the army under Cyrus was marching towards Babylon: a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together;
for Cyrus's army consisted of several kingdoms and nations; for besides the thirty thousand Persians he brought with him into Media, where he was made general of the Medes also, and was sent with the joint forces of both nations against Babylon, the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz, were prepared, gathered together, and called forth against it, ( Jeremiah 51:27 Jeremiah 51:28 ) : the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle;
or the warlike army: it was the Lord, that has the armies of heaven and earth at his command, who in his providence caused such a numerous army to be formed, directed them where to march, and put them in battle array, and gave them the victory.

Isaiah 13:4 In-Context

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

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

4 Hark, a tumult on the mountains as of a great multitude! Hark, an uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathering together! The LORD of hosts is mustering a host 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; as destruction from the Almighty it will come!