Isaiah 13:1-4

Context

The Lord Will Judge Babylon

13:1 ¹This is a message about Babylon that God revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz:²

13:2 ³On a bare hill raise a signal flag,

shout to them,

wave your hand,

so they might enter the gates of the princes!

13:3 I have given orders to my chosen soldiers;⁴

I have summoned the warriors through whom I will vent my anger,⁵

my boasting, arrogant ones.⁶

13:4 ⁷There is a loud noise on the mountains –

it sounds like a large army!⁸

There is great commotion among the kingdoms⁹ –

nations are being assembled!

The Lord who commands armies is mustering

forces for battle.

[13:1] ¹sn 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.

[13:1] ²tn Heb “The message [traditionally, “burden”] [about] Babylon which Isaiah son of Amoz saw.”

[13:2] ³sn The Lord is speaking here (see v. 3).

[13:3] ⁴tn Heb “my consecrated ones,” i.e., those who have been set apart by God for the special task of carrying out his judgment.

[13:3] ⁵tn Heb “my warriors with respect to my anger.”

[13:3] ⁶tn Heb “the boasting ones of my pride”; cf. ASV, NASB, NRSV “my proudly exulting ones.”

[13:4] ⁷sn In vv. 4-10 the prophet appears to be speaking, since the Lord is referred to in the third person. However, since the Lord refers to himself in the third person later in this chapter (see v. 13), it is possible that he speaks throughout the chapter.

[13:4] ⁸tn Heb “a sound, a roar [is] on the mountains, like many people.”

[13:4] ⁹tn Heb “a sound, tumult of kingdoms.”