Isaiah 13:18 NIV

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 13:18

Their bows also shall dash their young men to pieces ,.... That is, the bows of the Medes should dash in pieces the young men of the Babylonians. The meaning is, either that they should put them into their bows, instead of arrows, and shoot them upon the ground, or against a wall, and so dash them to pieces; or that they should first shoot them through with their arrows, and then dash them with their bows; according to Xenophon F12 Cyropaedia, l. 2. sect. 1. , Cyrus came to Babylon... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 13:18

Their bows also shall dash "Their bows shall dash" - Both Herodotus, 1:61, and Xenophon, Anab. iii., mention, that the Persians used large bows τοξα μεγαλα : and the latter says particularly that their bows were three cubits long, Anab. 4. They were celebrated for their archers, see Isaiah 22:6 ; Jeremiah 49:35 . Probably their neighbours and allies, the Medes, dealt much in the same sort of arms. In Psalm 18:34 , and Job 20:24 , mention is made of a bow of steel; if the Persian... 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 13:18

Their bows (comp. Jeremiah 1:9 , Jeremiah 1:14 ). Both the Medes and the Persians were skilled archers. Herodotus tells us that every Persian youth was taught three things—"to ride, to draw the bow, and to speak the truth". At Persepolis, Modes and Persians are alike represented as carrying bows and quivers. AE schyius regards the contest between the Persians and the Greeks as one between the arrow and the spear. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 13:18

Their bows also - Bows and arrows were the usual weapons of the ancients in war; and the Persians were particularly skilled in their use. According to Xenophon, Cyrus came to Babylon with a great number of archers and slingers (Cyrop. ii. 1).Shall dash the young men ... - That is, they shall dash the young men to pieces, or kill them by their bows and arrows. Vulgate, ‘And with their arrows shall they slay the young.’ The meaning of the word here rendered ‘dash to pieces,’ is to smite suddenly... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 13:17-18

Isaiah 13:17-18. Behold, &c. Here follows the second part of this prophecy, in which the calamity which the prophet had foretold, principally in figure, is plainly related and set forth in its causes and consequences. Its causes are stated to be the Medes, raised up by God himself against the Babylonians, and described as being extremely full of cruelty and avidity of revenge, Isaiah 13:17-18. The consequences are, the desolation of Babylon, and the calamity to be brought upon it,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:1-22

13:1-23:18 MESSAGES FOR VARIOUS NATIONSAll the nations are under the rule of God, who controls their rise to power and their final destruction according to his purposes. This is the truth that the prophet teaches in the collection of prophecies against various nations in Chapters 13 to 23. The first message is for Babylon, which in Isaiah’s day had not yet risen to a position of international power. The fall of Babylon that is pictured in these chapters would not take place for more than one... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 13:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 13:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 13:18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 13:17-18

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:1-22

Group of Brands