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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 13:1-5

The general title of this book was, The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, Isa. 1:1. Here we have that which Isaiah saw, which was represented to his mind as clearly and fully as if he had seen it with his bodily eyes; but the particular inscription of this sermon is the burden of Babylon. 1. It is a burden, a lesson they were to learn (so some understand it), but they would be loth to learn it, and it would be a burden to their memories, or a load which should lie heavily upon them and under... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:1

The burden of Babylon ,.... That is, a prophecy concerning Babylon, as the word is rendered, Proverbs 31:1 . The Septuagint and Arabic versions translate it "the vision"; it signifies a taking up F23 משא a נשא "tollere". a speech against it, and pronouncing a heavy sentence on it, such an one as should sink it into utter destruction; which will be the case of mystical Babylon, when it shall be as a millstone cast into the sea, never to be brought up again, Revelation 18:21 .... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:2

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain ,.... Or "upon the mountain Nishphah"; some high mountain in Media or Persia, proper to set a standard on, or erect a banner for the gathering men together, to enlist themselves as soldiers, and so form an army to march into the land of Chaldea. Vitringa thinks there may be an allusion to the mountain Zagrius, which divides Media and Persia from Assyria, mentioned by Strabo F24 Geograph. l. 11. p. 359. . Or "upon a high mountain"; any high... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:3

I have commanded my sanctified ones ,.... The Medes and Persians, so called, not because sanctified by the Spirit of God, or made holy persons, through the regenerating and renewing grace of God, or purified by the blood of Christ, and prepared for glory; but because they were set apart in the mind and counsel of God for a special work and service, and were qualified by him with courage and strength to perform it, and therefore said to be his; and this command that was given them was not by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:4

The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people ,.... That is, like the noise of a very numerous people; this noise was heard either on the mountains of Media, where they flocked in vast numbers to the standard set; or on the mountains upon the borders of Chaldea, when the army under Cyrus was marching towards Babylon: a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together ; for Cyrus's army consisted of several kingdoms and nations; for besides the thirty... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:5

They come from a far country, from the end of heaven ,.... The east, as Kimchi observes; the Targum is, from the ends of the earth; the furthermost parts of it, as Persia and Media were: the former is bounded on the south side by the main ocean; and the latter, part of it by the Caspian sea; and between Babylon and these kingdoms lay the large kingdom of Assyria; so that this army might be truly said to come from a far country: even the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation ; the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 13:1

The burden of Babylon - The prophecy that foretells its destruction by the Medes and Persians: see the preceding observations. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 13:2

Exalt the voice - The word להם lahem , "to them," which is of no use, and rather weakens the sentence, is omitted by an ancient MS., and the Vulgate. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 13:3

I have commanded my sanctified ones - מקדשי mekuddashai , the persons consecrated to this very purpose. Nothing can be plainer than that the verb כדש kadash , "to make holy," signifies also to consecrate or appoint to a particular purpose. Bishop Lowth translates, "my enrolled warriors." This is the sense. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 13:4

Of the battle "For the battle" - The Bodleian MS. has למלחמה lemilchamah . Cyrus's army was made up of many different nations. Jeremiah calls it an "assembly of great nations from the north country," Jeremiah 50:9 . And afterwards mentions the kingdoms of "Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz, (i.e. Armenia, Corduene, Pontus or Phrygia, Vitring.), with the kings of the Medes," Jeremiah 51:27 , Jeremiah 51:28 . See Xenophon. Cyrop. read more

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