Isaiah 13:3

3 ego mandavi sanctificatis meis et vocavi fortes meos in ira mea exultantes in gloria mea

Isaiah 13:3 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:3

I have commanded my sanctified ones
The Medes and Persians, so called, not because sanctified by the Spirit of God, or made holy persons, through the regenerating and renewing grace of God, or purified by the blood of Christ, and prepared for glory; but because they were set apart in the mind and counsel of God for a special work and service, and were qualified by him with courage and strength to perform it, and therefore said to be his; and this command that was given them was not by a voice from heaven, or in a message by one of his prophets; but by a secret instinct, and, by the power of his providence, stirring them up to engage in such an enterprise F26. I have also called my mighty ones;
meaning Cyrus and Darius, and the officers of their armies, with the common soldiers, who were furnished with might and strength to do his will, to which they were called in his providence: for mine anger;
to execute his wrath upon the Babylonians; so the Targum,

``that they may avenge my wrath upon them:''
or, "in mine anger"; which being stirred up, put him upon calling those mighty ones to his service, and fitting them for it: literally it is, "to my nose" F1; to be before him, to be at his beck and will, and to minister his wrath and vengeance: [even] them that rejoice in my highness;
in doing that which tended to the exaltation and glory of God; they went cheerfully about the work, and exulted and triumphed in their success: or, "that rejoice my highness" F2; make me glad, because I am glorified by them. So seven angels, the Lord's holy and mighty ones, will be employed in pouring out the vials of his wrath on mystical Babylon, ( Revelation 15:1 Revelation 15:6 Revelation 15:7 ) ( 16:1 ) .
FOOTNOTES:

F26 Vid. T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 8. 2. & Gloss. in ib.
F1 (ypal) "in ira mea", Vatablus; "ad iram meam", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "in naso meo", Montanus.
F2 (ytwag yzyle) "exultantis celsitudinis meae", Montanus.

Isaiah 13:3 In-Context

1 onus Babylonis quod vidit Isaias filius Amos
2 super montem caligosum levate signum exaltate vocem levate manum et ingrediantur portas duces
3 ego mandavi sanctificatis meis et vocavi fortes meos in ira mea exultantes in gloria mea
4 vox multitudinis in montibus quasi populorum frequentium vox sonitus regum gentium congregatarum Dominus exercituum praecepit militiae belli
5 venientibus de terra procul a summitate caeli Dominus et vasa furoris eius ut disperdat omnem terram
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.