Isaiah 13:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.

NIV: A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

NASB: The pronouncement concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw:

CSB: A pronouncement concerning Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

NLT: Isaiah son of Amoz received this message concerning the destruction of Babylon:

KJV: The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

NKJV: The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.

Most of the Old Testament prophets included in their books "oracles" against some of the nations of the world. These oracles are also called "burdens," and are part of what we would now call "prophecies," or predictions about future events. They took the form of solemn judgments from the Lord about or against these nations through His prophets in Israel. In addition to Isaiah, oracles are delivered from Jeremiah and Ezekiel. These prophets delivered these "burdens" against Edom, Egypt, Moab, Philistia, Tyre, and many other nations.

Isaiah 13 begins a new section of the book containing oracles from the Lord. These are against Babylon, Assyria, Moab, and other nations. The main idea behind such oracles is that God is Lord over all people and cultures of earth. He directs their coming and going, their victories and defeats, and their prosperity and poverty. The audience for these oracles was not the nations, themselves, but Israel. The message was clear: Do not look to other nations, or their gods, for salvation. Trust in the Lord alone.

The prophet Isaiah formally announces that he is beginning this oracle, or prophecy, against Babylon. Isaiah "saw" this revelation from the Lord and now reports what the Lord has shown him regarding Babylon. It's important to note that Isaiah died before many of these events happened. Scholars who do not believe that the Lord revealed these future events to his prophets refuse to believe Isaiah could have written about them: the primary argument for dating them after the historical events in question. This is due to how clearly Isaiah describes what happened. Those who believe Isaiah's book to be the revelation of God have no trouble understanding that Isaiah wrote what God showed him long before it took place.

Babylon was one of the great cities of the ancient world. It was especially glorious during the time of the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar following the downfall of the Assyrian Empire. Its ruins can be visited in modern Iraq, south of Baghdad.

Isaiah 13:1–22 contains Isaiah's prophecy from the Lord. This is against the dominant power of Babylon, which would arise after the defeat of the Assyrians. The Lord will assemble and consecrate an international army to attack and obliterate the powerful city-state of Babylon. The people will tremble in fear as the Lord executes His judgment out of His great wrath toward the arrogant and ruthless Babylonians. The population will be slaughtered without mercy and the land left desolate. When it's over, only wild animals will walk the streets of the once-splendid city.

Chapter 13 begins a new section in the book of Isaiah, which focuses on prophecies against other nations besides Israel. It begins by describing the Lord's destruction of the city-state of Babylon. This will come after it has become a dominating power in the world. The Lord will assemble a multi-nation army to attack the city and leave the land completely desolate. All who flee will be hunted and killed. The Medes will slaughter even pregnant women and children without mercy. When it is all over, only wild animals will occupy the once luxurious center of human achievement and sophistication.

Isaiah has been discussing the eventual rescue and restoration of Israel (Isaiah 10–12). Chapter 13 introduces an entirely new section in Isaiah's book: prophecies from the Lord against Gentile nations. First is a prediction of the utter destruction of Babylon. That nation had been the dominant power in the world. The Lord will assemble a multi-nation army from near and far to destroy the luxurious and powerful city-state on the Euphrates. This is followed by reassurances and further details of God's vengeance on Israel's other oppressors.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).