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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 13:6-18

We have here a very elegant and lively description of the terrible confusion and desolation which should be made in Babylon by the descent which the Medes and Persians should make upon it. Those that were now secure and easy were bidden to howl and make sad lamentation; for, I. God was about to appear in wrath against them, and it is a fearful thing to fall into his hands: The day of the Lord is at hand (Isa. 13:6), a little day of judgment, when God will act as a just avenger of his own and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:7

Therefore shall all hands be faint ,.... Or hang down; that is, the hands of all the Babylonians, the city being taken suddenly and at once, so that they should not be able to lift them up to lay hold on a weapon, and defend themselves: and every man's heart shall melt ; like wax before the fire; be dispirited, and lose all their valour and courage, have neither power nor heart to resist their enemies, and attempt to save themselves. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:8

And they shall be afraid ,.... Troubled, dismayed, frightened, at the sudden taking of the city, and at the sight of Cyrus's troops marching up into the very heart of it, and to the king's palace: pangs and sorrow shall take hold of them ; as convulsions, pains in the bowels, &c.; more fully explained in the next clause: they shall be in pain, as a woman that travaileth ; that is in labour, and ready to bring forth her child, whose pains are very sharp, and agonies great; the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 13:8

And they shall be afraid "And they shall be terrified" - I join this verb, ונבהלו venibhalu , to the preceding verse, with the Syriac and Vulgate. Pangs and sorrows shall take hold on them "Pangs shall seize them" - The Septuagint, Syriac, and Chaldee read יאחזום yochezum , instead of יאחזון yochezun , which does not express the pronoun then, necessary to the sense. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:1-18

The fall of Babylon a type of the general punishment of the wicked. Scripture deals with history altogether in the way of example. Whether the subject be Assyria, or Syria, or Egypt, or Babylon, or even the "peculiar people of God," the object is to teach men by the facts adduced what they have to expect themselves. In Isaiah 10:1-34 . Assyria, here Babylon, is held up as a warning to sinners. The absolute certainty that punishment will overtake them at God's hands is the main lesson... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:1-22

It is remarkable that Babylon heads the list of the Church's enemies in the present catalogue. Dr. Kay supposes the term "Babel" to be equivalent to "Asshur-Babel," and to designate "the Assyro-Babylonian Empire." He thinks that "Babel" heads the list on account of Assyria's position, under Tiglath-Pileser and Shalmaneser, in the van of Israel's adversaries. But neither Isaiah nor any other sacred writer knows of an Assyro-Babylonian kingdom or empire. Assyria and Babylonia are distinct... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:7

Mental depression. "Faint." A common experience enough this. Some people pride themselves on the speciality of their experiences, just as they consider their physical ailments to be altogether peculiar and unique. Faint! Who amongst us does not understand that? Why, we do not know. Care is like the atmosphere; its pressure is enormous, but the thing itself is invisible. " Light as air ," some say; but many temperaments could say , " heavy as air," which depresses all the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:8

They shall be afraid; rather, dismayed . Pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them ; literally, they shall take hold of pangs and sorrows . They shall be amazed ; rather, look aghast . Their faces shall be as flames . I know no better explanation than that of Dr. Kay, that a sudden transition is intended flora despondency to extreme excitement. read more

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