Isaiah 13:1.— This prophesy respecting Babylon may be divided into two parts; the former part contained in the present chapter: wherein we have, first, the title, Isaiah 13:1.; secondly, the matter comprehended in this first part, which describes figuratively and strongly the calamity of Babylon, Isaiah 13:2-16 and in the subsequent verses confirms the former prediction. Vitringa is of opinion, from the great similarity of phrases particularly which is found in both, that this prophesy was delivered at the same time with the preceding one concerning Assyria, beginning chap. Isaiah 10:5. The great design of delivering this and the following prophesies of the same kind was, first to set forth the reasons of the divine justice in punishing the enemies of the church, in order to console the minds and confirm the faith of the pious. A second and more immediate design was, to comfort the minds of true believers against that sad and sorrowful event, the Babylonish captivity; and the third to announce, under this figure, the destruction of the spiritual Babylon, the whole kingdom of sin and Satan. See Revelation 14:8; Revelation 17:5. It is necessary for every reader who would completely understand the prophesies which respect the several states mentioned in this SECOND part, to make themselves well acquainted with the history of those states. The excellent and judicious Vitringa has affixed to his comment an historical account of each kingdom. We just subjoin from him a brief detail of the state of the Babylonish empire. The kingdom of Babylon was founded by Nimrod, who made Babel the seat of his empire; It was then occupied by the Arabs, who less regarded Babylon; but the Syrians, having founded their monarchy in the East, seized the Babylonish empire, repaired, fortified, adorned and enlarged Babylon, and at first, most likely, governed that province by nobles or deputies, and then placed kings over it, among whom Nabonassar was famous. Those kings became obnoxious to the Assyrians; and afterwards shook off their yoke. It is uncertain whether Merodach-baladan was the first who did so, or the kings who followed Assar-Addin, and principally Nabopolassar, the father of Nebuchadnezzar; the Medes and other nations having before, and perhaps on account of the slaughter of Sennacherib, led them away in their defection from the Assyrians: this was the first step of the greatness of the Babylonish empire. The valour and prosperity of the two kings after Assar-addin,—Nabopolassar, and his son Nebuchadnezzar, very much advanced the dignity of this empire. At length, Ninus being cut off by the Medes, and the Chaldees assisting them, this kingdom and empire was entirely established; for as the Medes, after the destruction of Ninus, had all Asia beyond the Tygris subject to them, except Susiana, the Babylonish kings ruled over all Asia on this side the Tygris, as far as the river Halys and Egypt. See Vitringa, and the Universal History, vol. 4:
The burden of Babylon— This inscription is not so much of a new prophesy as of a new book of prophesies, contra-distinguished from the former book, which also has its inscription; but we have here a different word used, משׂא massaa, the burden, of Babylon, which Vitringa renders, the sentence upon, or delivered concerning Babylon. Bishop Newton observes, (Prophesies, vol. 1: p. 354.) that it is remarkable, that the prophesies uttered against any city or country often carry the inscription of the burden of that city or country; and by burden is commonly understood a threatening burdensome prophesy, big with ruin and destruction; which, like a dead weight, is hung upon the city or country to sink it. But the word משׂא massaa, in the original is of more general import: sometimes it signifies a prophesy at large; sometimes a prophesy of good as well as of evil, as in Zechariah 12:1 sometimes it is translated a prophesy, where there is no prophesy, but only a grave moral sentence; and sometimes it is used of the author, as well as the subject, of a prophesy. The word משׂא massaa, in the original is derived from the verb נשׂא nasa, which signifies to take or lift up, or bring; and the proper meaning of it is, any weighty important matter, or sentence, which ought not to he neglected; but is worthy of being carried in the memory and deserves to be lifted up and uttered with emphasis. See Revelation 2:24. By Babylon we are to understand not only the city of that name, but the whole empire: See Vitringa.