Yeshayah 13:1

1 3 The massa (burden) of Bavel (Babylon), which Yeshayah Ben Amotz did see.

Yeshayah 13:1 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 13:1

The burden of Babylon
That is, a prophecy concerning Babylon, as the word is rendered, ( Proverbs 31:1 ) . The Septuagint and Arabic versions translate it "the vision"; it signifies a taking up F23 a speech against it, and pronouncing a heavy sentence on it, such an one as should sink it into utter destruction; which will be the case of mystical Babylon, when it shall be as a millstone cast into the sea, never to be brought up again, ( Revelation 18:21 ) . The Targum is,

``the burden of the cup of cursing to give Babylon to drink:''
after some prophecies concerning the Messiah and his kingdom, and the church's song of praise for salvation by him, others are delivered out concerning the enemies of the people of God, and their destruction, and begin with Babylon the chief of these enemies, and into whose hands the people of Israel would be delivered for a while; wherefore this prophecy is given forth, in order to lay a foundation for comfort and relief, when that should be their case; by which it would appear that they should have deliverance from them by the same hand that should overthrow them: which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see:
by a spirit of prophecy; for this he saw not with his bodily eyes, though it was as clear and certain to him as if he had. The Targum is,
``which Isaiah the son of Amoz prophesied.''

FOOTNOTES:

F23 (avm) a (avn) "tollere".

Yeshayah 13:1 In-Context

1 3 The massa (burden) of Bavel (Babylon), which Yeshayah Ben Amotz did see.
2 Lift ye up a nes upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the yad, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
3 I have commanded My Mekuddash, I have also summoned My Gibbor for Mine anger, even them that rejoice in My highness.
4 The noise of a hamon (multitude) in the harim (mountains), like as of an Am Rav; a tumultuous noise of the mamlechot (kingdoms) of Goyim gathered together; Hashem Tzva’os mustereth the Tzava (army) of the milchamah (battle, war).
5 They come from an eretz merchak (a far country), from the end of Shomayim, Hashem, and the weapons of His indignation, to destroy Kol HaAretz.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.