2:1 Here is the message about Judah and Jerusalem 1 that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz. 2
13:1 3 This is a message about Babylon that God revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz: 4
13:2 5 On a bare hill raise a signal flag,
shout to them,
wave your hand,
so they might enter the gates of the princes!
1:21 How tragic that the once-faithful city
has become a prostitute! 6
She was once a center of 7 justice,
fairness resided in her,
but now only murderers. 8
1 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
2 tn Heb “the word which Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.”
3 sn Isa 13-23 contains a series of judgment oracles against various nations. It is likely that Israel, not the nations mentioned, actually heard these oracles. The oracles probably had a twofold purpose. For those leaders who insisted on getting embroiled in international politics, these oracles were a reminder that Judah need not fear foreign nations or seek international alliances for security reasons. For the righteous remnant within the nation, these oracles were a reminder that Israel’s God was indeed the sovereign ruler of the earth, worthy of his people’s trust.
4 tn Heb “The message [traditionally, “burden”] [about] Babylon which Isaiah son of Amoz saw.”
5 sn The Lord is speaking here (see v. 3).
6 tn Heb “How she has become a prostitute, the faithful city!” The exclamatory אֵיכָה (’ekhah, “how!”) is used several times as the beginning of a lament (see Lam 1:1; 2;1; 4:1-2). Unlike a number of other OT passages that link references to Israel’s harlotry to idolatry, Isaiah here makes the connection with social and moral violations.
7 tn Heb “filled with.”
8 tn Or “assassins.” This refers to the oppressive rich and/or their henchmen. R. Ortlund (Whoredom, 78) posits that it serves as a synecdoche for all varieties of criminals, the worst being mentioned to imply all lesser ones. Since Isaiah often addressed his strongest rebuke to the rulers and leaders of Israel, he may have in mind the officials who bore the responsibility to uphold justice and righteousness.