Isaiah 13:4

4 Listen to the noise on the mountains - the sound of a great crowd of people, the sound of nations and kingdoms gathering. The Lord of Armies is preparing his troops 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 the top of a barren hill raise the battle flag! Shout to the soldiers and raise your arm as the signal for them to attack the gates of the proud city.

3 The Lord has called out his proud and confident soldiers to fight a holy war and punish those he is angry with.

4 Listen to the noise on the mountains - the sound of a great crowd of people, the sound of nations and kingdoms gathering. The Lord of Armies is preparing his troops for battle.

5 They are coming from far-off countries at the ends of the earth. In his anger the Lord is coming to devastate the whole country.

6 Howl in pain! The day of the Lord is near, the day when the Almighty brings destruction.