The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:2
Lift ye up a banner ; rather, a standard — " an ensign ," as in Isaiah 5:26 : Isaiah 11:12 . "Ensigns" were used both by the Assyrians and the Egyptians. "Banners," or flags, do not seem to have been employed in the ancient world. Upon the high mountain ; rather, upon a bare mountain—one that was clear of trees, so that the signal might be the better seen from it. God's army having to be summoned against Babylon, the summons is made in three ways: The whole description is, of... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:1-22
Oracle concerning Babylon. I. APPROACH OF THE WARRIORS OF JEHOVAH . On the bare mountain the banner is upraised, and with loud cry and commanding gesture of the hand a host of warriors is summoned from all sides. As in verse 26, Jehovah is viewed by the poet as a mighty Battle-Leader, Lord of hosts. His voice is heard, "I have given commission to my anointed ones, have called my heroes for my work of punishment, my proudly rejoicing ones!" And then a noise is heard in the... read more