Howl ye, &c.— We have here, in this latter member of the first part of the discourse, a premonition to the Babylonians concerning their approaching calamity; Isaiah 13:6. Secondly, the effects of the expedition of their enemies against them are set forth; the stupor, consternation, and despair of the Babylonians, Isaiah 13:7-8 the highest calamity, joined with the greatest evils, falling upon the Babylonians, and the utter subversion of their state; with the causes, namely, their grievous crimes; which calamity is first proposed, Isaiah 13:9-12 and then heightened by new figures and sentences indicating its greatness; Isaiah 13:13-16. It has been observed by Bishop Lowth, that the prophetic writings seem peculiarly excellent in exciting terror; and, though Isaiah generally employs his pen in representing images of pleasure and joy; yet this apostrophe, beginning with the present verse, and ending with the 13th, shews that no one is superior to him in exciting the passion of terror. See his 21st Prelection.
Related Commentaries of Isaiah 13:6
Isaiah 13:6
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.