Isaiah 13:1-14:12

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:1

Which Isaiah … did see (comp. Isaiah 1:1 ; Isaiah 2:1 , etc.). Isaiah always "sees" his prophecies, whether they are of the nature of visions (as Isaiah 6:1-13 .) or the contrary. The word is probably used to express the strong conviction that he has of their absolute certainty. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:1

The burden of the Lord. "The burden of Babylon" (see Isaiah 15:1 ; Isaiah 17:1 ; Isaiah 19:1 , etc.). The use of the word "burden," to signify a message and its subsequent expansion into the phrase "the burden of the Lord" (see Jeremiah 23:33 ), suggest to us— I. THAT TO ALL MEN EVERYWHERE BELONGS THE SACRED DUTY OF CARRYING THE MESSAGES OF GOD . The term here used may simply signify this—the bearing of the Word of God to those for whom it was... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 13:1

The burden of Babylon - Or, the burden “respecting,” or “concerning” Babylon. This prophecy is introduced in a different manner from those which have preceded. The terms which Isaiah employed in the commencement of his previous prophecies, were vision (see the note at Isaiah 1:1), or word Isaiah 2:1. There has been considerable diversity of opinion in regard to the meaning of the word ‘burden,’ which is here employed. The Vulgate renders it, Onus - ‘Burden,’ in the sense of load. The Septuagint... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 13:1

Isaiah 13:1. The burden of Babylon Of the city and empire of Babylon. The original word, משׂא , here rendered burden, is, by Dr. Waterland, after Vitringa, translated, The sentence upon, or, delivered concerning Babylon. It is “derived from a verb, which signifies to take, or lift up, or bring; and the proper meaning of it is, any weighty, important matter or sentence, which ought not to be neglected, but is worthy of being carried in the memory, and deserves to be lifted up,... read more

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