View Isaiah 13 in the note window.
God's armies, ver. 1 - 5.
The destruction of Babylon by the Persians and Medes, their
great distress, anguish, and utter desolation, ver. 6 - 22.
1: The burden - This title is commonly given to sad prophecies, which
indeed are grievous burdens to them on whom they are laid. Babylon - Of
the city and empire of Babylon by Cyrus.
2: A banner - To gather soldiers together. Mountain - Whence it may
be discerned at a considerable distance. Withal he seems to intimate,
that their enemies should come from the mountainous country of Media.
Them - To the Medes. Shake - Beckon to them with your hand, that
they may come to this service, that they may go and fight against
Babylon, and take it, and so enter in to the palaces of the king,
and his princes.
3: Sanctified ones - The Medes and Persians, so called,
because they were set apart by God, for this holy work of executing his
just vengeance. Mighty ones - Those whom I have made mighty for this work.
Highness - Or, as others render it, in my glory, in the doing of that
work which tends to the advancement of my glory. Tho' the Medes had no
regard to God, but only to their own ends.
4: Nations - The Medes and Persians and other nations, which
served under them in this war.
5: Thy come - From the ends of the earth under heaven, which is not
to be understood strictly. The weapons - The Medes and Persians,
who were but a rod in God's hand, and the instruments of his anger.
Land - Of Babylon.
7: Amazed - To see so impregnable a city as Babylon, so easily
and unexpectedly taken. Flames - Heb. faces of flame, inflamed with
rage and torment.
9: Behold - Divers words are heaped together, to signify the
extremity of his anger.
10: Constellations - Which consist of many stars, and therefore give
a greater sight. Darkened - All things shall look darkly and dismally;
men shall have no comfort or hope. Going forth - As soon as he rises.
As soon as they have any appearance or hope of amendment, they shall
be instantly disappointed.
11: The world - The Babylonish empire, which is called the
world, as the Roman empire afterwards was, because it was extended
to a great part of the world.
12: More precious - The city and nation shall be so depopulated.
13: Therefore - A poetical and prophetical description of great
horrors and confusions, as if heaven and earth were about to meet together.
14: It - Babylon. A roe - Fearful in itself, especially when
it is pursued by the hunter. A sheep - In a most forlorn condition.
Every man - Those soldiers of other nations, whom she had hired to
assist her.
15: Found - In Babylon, at the taking of it.
17: Medes - Under whom he comprehends the Persians. Not
delight - Which is to be understood comparatively. They shall more
eagerly pursue the destruction of the people, than the getting of spoil.
18: Bows - Under which are comprehended, other weapons of war.
Dash - Or, shalt pierce the young men through, as the Chaldee,
renders it.
19: Glory - Which once was the most noble of all the kingdoms.
Beauty - The beautiful seat of the Chaldean monarchy shall be totally
and irrecoverably destroyed.
20: Inhabited - After the destruction threatened shall be fully
accomplished. Arabian - Who dwelt in tents, and wandered from place
to place, where they could find pasture.
21: Satyrs - The learned agree, that these are frightful and solitary
creatures.
22: Prolonged - Beyond the time appointed by God.
