Isaiah 13 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments
  • Isaiah 13:1-22 open_in_new

    1. Burden] The corresponding verb means 'to lift up' (a) a load, (b) the voice (cp. Isaiah 3:7; Isaiah 42:2; Isaiah 42:11), used of Balaam lifting up his voice in oracular utterance (Numbers 24:3; Numbers 24:15; Numbers 24:23). Hence the noun signifies an utterance, or oracle (e.g. 2 Kings 9:25), and is often prefixed, as here, to prophetic utterances (Zechariah 9:1; Zechariah 12:1; Proverbs 31:1). Since it is often applied to threatening utterances, the meaning of 'burden' is also suitable. In Jeremiah 23:33 there is a play on the two meanings of the word.

  • Isaiah 13:2 open_in_new

    Banner] RV 'ensign,' i.e. a signal for the mustering of distant armies (Isaiah 5:26). High] RV 'bare,' i.e. without trees; upon such a mountain the signal would be clearly seen. Unto them] i.e. the people whom the prophet has in mind, though they have not yet been mentioned.

    Shake the hand] the threatening gesture of besiegers (Isaiah 10:32).

  • Isaiah 13:3 open_in_new

    Sanctified ones] RV 'consecrated ones,' i.e. warriors. The thought may be that the war is a holy one, Babylon's destroyers being the ministers of Jehovah's vengeance.

  • Isaiah 13:12 open_in_new

    Precious] RV 'rare'; the slaughter will be so great that few men will be left (Isaiah 24:6). Golden wedge] RV 'pure gold'; the gold of Ophir was most esteemed.

  • Isaiah 13:13 open_in_new

    See a similar description Haggai 2:6. The prophets are carried in thought beyond the particular political convulsion in view to the final overthrow of all that is hostile to God.

  • Isaiah 13:14 open_in_new

    RV 'And it shall come to pass that as,' etc. That no man taketh up] i.e. without a shepherd. They shall.. turn] i.e. the settlers in Babylon, either taken captive from other countries, or resorting thither for trade (Jeremiah 50:16), will, on the overthrow of the city, disperse to their own lands.

  • Isaiah 13:15 open_in_new

    The reason for the hurried flight of Isaiah 13:14 the fall of the city will be accompanied by indiscriminate slaughter.

    Joined unto them] i.e. by colonisation. But RV 'taken,' not having been able to make good his escape.

  • Isaiah 13:17 open_in_new

    The invaders of Babylon are here first mentioned by name, though the prophet has had them in mind from Isaiah 13:2. The Medes had settled in the district SW. of the Caspian Sea, and are mentioned in Assyrian annals from Sargon's time onwards (cp. 2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 18:11): see intro. to this section. Shall not regard] i.e. they are not to be turned aside by bribes.

  • Isaiah 13:21 open_in_new

    Doleful creatures] probably owls. Owls] RV 'ostriches.' Satyrs] i.e. uncanny creatures, or demons (so Targum, LXX, and Syr.), such as were thought by the Jews to haunt ruins and desert places: cp. Luke 11:24. But as the other names in the context stand for animals many prefer to render, 'he-goats' (RM, Vulg.).

  • Isaiah 13:22 open_in_new

    The wild.. houses] RV 'wolves shall cry in their castles.' Dragons] RV 'jackals.' The anticipation of the utter ruin of Babylon has been literally fulfilled. In 538 b.c. it was captured by the Medes and Persians under Cyrus; and, though its glory lingered for a time, it died away before the beginning of the Christian era, and Babylon is now, and has long been, only a heap of ruins.