Isaiah 13:12-22

12 pretiosior erit vir auro et homo mundo obrizo

13 super hoc caelum turbabo et movebitur terra de loco suo propter indignationem Domini exercituum et propter diem irae furoris eius

14 et erit quasi dammula fugiens et quasi ovis et non erit qui congreget unusquisque ad populum suum convertetur et singuli ad terram suam fugient

15 omnis qui inventus fuerit occidetur et omnis qui supervenerit cadet in gladio

16 infantes eorum adlident in oculis eorum diripientur domus eorum et uxores eorum violabuntur

17 ecce ego suscitabo super eos Medos qui argentum non quaerant nec aurum velint

18 sed sagittis parvulos interficiant et lactantibus uteri non misereantur et super filios non parcat oculus eorum

19 et erit Babylon illa gloriosa in regnis inclita in superbia Chaldeorum sicut subvertit Deus Sodomam et Gomorram

20 non habitabitur usque in finem et non fundabitur usque ad generationem et generationem nec ponet ibi tentoria Arabs nec pastores requiescent ibi

21 sed requiescent ibi bestiae et replebuntur domus eorum draconibus et habitabunt ibi strutiones et pilosi saltabunt ibi

22 et respondebunt ibi ululae in aedibus eius et sirenae in delubris voluptatis

Isaiah 13:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 13

This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of Babylon, literally understood as a type and exemplar of the destruction of the mystical Babylon, so often spoken of in the book of the Revelation: an account is given of the persons that should be the instruments of it, and of the desolation they should make; which would issue in the utter ruin of that once famous city. The title of the prophecy, and the person that had it, and brought it, are expressed, Isa 13:1 orders are given to the Medes and Persians to prepare for war, Isa 13:2 and are described as the Lord's sanctified ones, his mighty ones, and who rejoiced in his highness, Isa 13:3 by the multitude of them, by the length of the way they came, and the end of their coming, by divine direction, and as the instruments of God's wrath, to destroy the land of the Chaldeans, Isa 13:4,5 wherefore the inhabitants of it are called to howling, because that destruction from the Lord was at hand, Isa 13:6,9 the effects of which were fainting, fear, consternation, pain, and sorrow, without the least relief and comfort, Isa 13:7,8,10 the causes of which were their sin and iniquity, particularly their arrogance, pride, and haughtiness, Isa 13:11 which destruction is further described by the fewness of men that should be left in the land, Isa 13:12 by the strange revolution made in it, and the confusion it should be in, Isa 13:13 by the fear and flight of men, both of their own and other nations, that should be among them, Isa 13:14 by the slaughter of men and children, the plunder of their houses, and the ravishing of their wives, Isa 13:15,16 the persons that should be employed as instruments are mentioned by name, and represented as not to be bribed with gold and silver; and as merciless and uncompassionate, that should spare neither young men nor children, Isa 13:17,18 and the chapter is concluded with a particular account of the destruction of Babylon; which is aggravated, by observing its former glory; by comparing its ruin to the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah; by its being no more to be inhabited by men within, nor to have Arabian shepherds pitching their tents without it; and by being the habitation of wild beasts, satyrs, dragons, and doleful creatures, Isa 13:19-22.