Isaiah 13:1

A Prophecy Against Babylon

1 A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

Isaiah 13:1 in Other Translations

KJV
1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
ESV
1 The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.
NLT
1 Isaiah son of Amoz received this message concerning the destruction of Babylon:
MSG
1 The Message on Babylon. Isaiah son of Amoz saw it:
CSB
1 An oracle against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

Isaiah 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".

Isaiah 13:1 In-Context

1 A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:
2 Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles.
3 I have commanded those I prepared for battle; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath— those who rejoice in my triumph.
4 Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The LORD Almighty is mustering an army for war.
5 They come from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens— the LORD and the weapons of his wrath— to destroy the whole country.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Isaiah 14:28; Isaiah 15:1; Isaiah 21:1; Nahum 1:1; Habakkuk 1:1; Zechariah 9:1; Zechariah 12:1; Malachi 1:1
  • 2. ver 19; S Genesis 10:10; Isaiah 14:4; Isaiah 21:9; Isaiah 46:1-2; Isaiah 48:14; Jeremiah 24:1; Jeremiah 25:12; Revelation 14:8
  • 3. Isaiah 20:2; Isaiah 37:2
  • 4. S Isaiah 1:1
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