Isaiah 13

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:2-5

The kingdom of God. These stirring, eloquent words of the prophet describing the gathering of the hosts at the summons of Jehovah speak to us of— I. THE EXCEEDING BREADTH OF THE DIVINE CLAIM . All things, all nations, are Jehovah's; all these hosts that are to be gathered together are "my sanctified ones;" they are "my mighty ones." They did not know him, but, notwithstanding, God claims them as belonging to himself. He does claim all nations and peoples as his own; not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:3

I have commanded my sanctified ones . The pronoun "I" is emphatic—"I myself." Not only will an external summons go forth, but God will lay his own orders on them whom he chooses for his instruments, and bid them come to the muster. All who carry out his purposes are, in a certain sense, "sanctified ones" (comp. Jeremiah 22:7 ; Jeremiah 51:27 ; Zephaniah 1:7 , etc.). Here the Modes and Persians are specially in. tended (see Isaiah 13:17 ). For mine anger ; i.e. "for the purpose of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:3

The Lord's sanctified ones. This term is used of an army, regarded as being consecrated by the sacrifices which were offered at the beginning of the campaign. The assertion made by the prophet is that the Persian army was not really consecrated to Ahura-Mazda, but to Jehovah. Whatever might seem to be the bet, the fact really was that the Persians would fulfill Jehovah's will and carry out Jehovah's judgments, A "sanctified one" is, properly, one separated from self-interests and from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:4

The noise of a multitude in the mountains . I do not know why Isaiah should not have been "thinking of his geography" (Cheyne). As soon as the Greeks knew anything of the Persians, they knew of them as a mountain people, and attributed their valor and their handy habits to the physical character of their country (Herod; 9. ad fin .). Jeremiah connects the invading army which destroyed Babylon with mountains, when he derives it from. Ararat (comp. Genesis 8:4 ), Minni (Armenia), and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:5

They come from a far country (comp. Isaiah 46:11 ). Both Media and Persia were "far countries" to the Hebrews, Persia especially. There is no indication that they knew of any countries more remote towards the East. Hence the expression which follows, "from the end of heaven"—the heaven being supposed to end where the earth ended. Isaiah, like the other sacred writers, conforms his language on cosmical subjects to the opinions of his day. Even the Lord. With a most effective... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:6

Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand (comp. Joel 1:15 ); literally, the expression used in both passages is a day of Jehovah . The idiom would not, however, allow the use of the article, so that the phrase is ambiguous. "The day of Jehovah" is properly "that crisis in the history of the world when Jehovah will interpose to rectify the evils of the present, bringing joy and glory to the humble believer, and misery and shame to the proud and disobedient" (Cheyne). But any great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:6

The day of the Lord. We may truly speak of every day as a "day of the Lord." For when does the morning come on which we cannot say, "This is the day which the Lord has made' ( Psalms 118:24 )? Every day brings with it fresh tokens of his presence, new proofs of his power. The refreshment and invigoration of sleep, the provisions of the table, the enjoyment of the hearth, the activities of outward life, the continuance of mental power, etc.,—do not all these daily mercies make each... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:6

The day of the Lord. This expression is employed for that crisis in the history of the world when Jehovah will interpose to correct the evils of the present. Such great crises are called "days" in antithesis to the ages of Divine long-suffering. In Christian thought the term is associated with the coming day or time of judgment, and mainly with that in view we dwell on the words. Isaiah was one of a class of prophets to whom God disclosed, in visions, the scenes of the ever-nearing future.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:6

God as El Shaddai. It will at once come to mind that this is the name used for God by John Bunyan in his 'Holy War,' but it is an unfamiliar one, and one that needs explanation. It is translated in Scripture by the term "the Almighty," but that properly represents the Hebrew El Gibbor . Cheyne says, "Wherever it occurs ( Joel 1:15 ; Ezekiel 1:24 ; Ezekiel 10:5 ), it appears to express the more severe and awful side of the Divine nature. Though used as a mere synonym for El , or ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:7

Therefore shall all hands be faint (comp. Jeremiah 1:1-19 :43; Ezekiel 7:17 ; Zephaniah 3:16 ). There shall be a general inaction and apathy. Recently discovered accounts of the capture of Babylon by Cyrus show a great want of activity and vigor on the part of the defenders. Every man's heart shall melt (comp. Deuteronomy 20:8 ; Joshua 2:11 ; Joshua 5:1 , etc.). The general inaction will spring from a general despondency. This statement agrees much better with the recently... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:2-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:7

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands