Isaiah 13:5

5 His army is coming from a distant land, from the ends of heaven. The LORD is coming with the weapons of his fury to destroy the whole world.

Isaiah 13:5 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:5

They come from a far country, from the end of heaven
The east, as Kimchi observes; the Targum is, from the ends of the earth; the furthermost parts of it, as Persia and Media were: the former is bounded on the south side by the main ocean; and the latter, part of it by the Caspian sea; and between Babylon and these kingdoms lay the large kingdom of Assyria; so that this army might be truly said to come from a far country: [even] the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation;
the Medes and Persians, who were the instruments of his wrath and vengeance against Babylon; just as Assyria is called the rod of his anger, ( Isaiah 10:5 ) with these he is said to come, because this army was of his gathering, mustering, ordering, and directing, in his providence; the end and design of which was, to destroy the whole land;
not the whole world, as the Septuagint render it; but the whole land of Chaldea, of which Babylon was the metropolis. The Targum is,

``to destroy all the wicked of the earth.''

Isaiah 13:5 In-Context

3 I've commanded my holy ones. I've called my mighty men to carry out my anger. They find joy in my triumphs.

4 Listen to the noise on the mountains. It is like the sound of a large army. It is the sound of kingdoms and nations gathering together. The LORD of Armies is assembling his army for battle.

5 His army is coming from a distant land, from the ends of heaven. The LORD is coming with the weapons of his fury to destroy the whole world.

6 Cry loudly, for the day of the LORD is near. It will come like destruction from the Almighty.

7 That is why every hand will hang limp, and everyone's courage will fail.