Isaiah 13:10-13

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 13:10

For the stars of heaven ,.... This and what follows are to be understood, not literally, but figuratively, as expressive of the dismalness and gloominess of the dispensation, of the horror and terror of it, in which there was no light, no comfort, no relief, nor any hope of any; the heavens and all the celestial bodies frowning upon them, declaring the displeasure of him that dwells there: and the constellations thereof shall not give their light ; which are assemblages of stars, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:11

And I will punish the world for their evil ,.... Not the whole world, but the kingdom of Babylon, so called because of its large extent, and the number of its inhabitants, just as the Roman empire is called the whole world, Luke 2:1 "evil" may be meant, either of the evil of sin, which was the cause of punishment, or else of the evil of punishment itself; and the sense be this, I will visit, or, in a way of visitation, I will bring evil, or evils, upon the world; so the Targum, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 13:12

I will make a man more precious than fine gold ,.... Which may denote either the scarcity of men in Babylon, through the slaughter made of them; so things that are scarce and rare are said to be precious, 1 Samuel 3:1 or the resolution of the Medes to spare none, though ever so much gold were offered to them, they being not to be bribed therewith, Isaiah 13:17 or that such should be the fear of men, that they would not be prevailed upon to take up arms to defend themselves or their king,... read more

John Gill

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

Therefore will I shake the heavens ,.... Some think this was literally fulfilled at the taking of Babylon, when the heavens were shook with dreadful thunders and lightnings; as well as what is said above of the sun, moon, and stars, not giving their light; and so is likewise what follows, and the earth shall remove out of her place ; and that there was a violent shock by an earthquake at the same time; but rather all this is to be understood figuratively, as expressive of the great... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 13:10

For the stars of heaven "Yea, the stars of heaven" - The Hebrew poets, to express happiness, prosperity, the instauration and advancement of states, kingdoms, and potentates, make use of images taken from the most striking parts of nature, from the heavenly bodies, from the sun, moon, and stars: which they describe as shining with increased splendor, and never setting. The moon becomes like the meridian sun, and the sun's light is augmented sevenfold; (see Isaiah 30:26 ;); new heavens and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 13:11

I will punish the world "I will visit the world" - That is, the Babylonish empire; as η οικουμενη , for the Roman empire, or for Judea, Luke 2:1 ; Acts 11:28 . So the universus orbis Romanus , for the Roman empire; Salvian. lib. 5 Minos calls Crete his world: " Creten, quae meus est orbis ," Ovid. Metamorph. 8:9. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 13:12

I will make a man more precious than fine gold-wedge of Ophir - The Medes and Persians will not be satisfied with the spoils of the Babylonians. They seek either to destroy or enslave them; and they will accept no ransom for any man - either for אנוש enosh , the poor man, or for אדם adam , the more honorable person. All must fall by the sword, or go into captivity together; for the Medes, ( Isaiah 13:17 ;), regard not silver, and delight not in gold. 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

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