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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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PriorBook = 'Song of Songs';
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PriorChapter = 'Isaiah 12';
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Title = 'The Book of the Prophet Isaiah';
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SubTitle1 = 'Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET';
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SubTitle3 = 'CHAPTER 13';
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<p id="Chapter13" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 13
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<p id="Isa13_1"><a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,'1-22');">Isa 13:1-22</a>. THE THIRTEENTH THROUGH TWENTY-THIRD CHAPTERS CONTAIN PROPHECIES AS TO FOREIGN NATIONS.—THE THIRTEENTH, FOURTEENTH, AND TWENTY-SEVENTH CHAPTERS AS TO BABYLON AND ASSYRIA.
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<p>The predictions as to foreign nations are for the sake of the covenant people, to preserve them from despair, or reliance on human confederacies, and to strengthen their faith in God: also in order to extirpate narrow-minded nationality: God is Jehovah to Israel, not for Israel's sake alone, but that He may be thereby Elohim to the nations. These prophecies are in their right chronological place, in the beginning of Hezekiah's reign; then the nations of Western Asia, on the Tigris and Euphrates, first assumed a most menacing aspect. <p><b>1. burden</b>—<i>weighty</i> or <i>mournful</i> prophecy [GROTIUS]. Otherwise, simply, <i>the prophetical declaration,</i> from a <i>Hebrew</i> root <i>to put forth with the voice</i> anything, as in <a onclick="return mV('Num',23,7);">Num 23:7</a> [MAURER].
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<br><br><b>of Babylon</b>—<i>concerning</i> Babylon.
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<p id="Isa13_2"><b>2. Lift...banner</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',5,26);">Isa 5:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',11,10);">11:10</a>).
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<br><br><b>the high mountain</b>—rather, "<i>a bare</i> (literally, "bald," that is, without trees) mountain"; from it the banner could be seen afar off, so as to rally together the peoples against Babylon.
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<br><br><b>unto them</b>—unto the Medes (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,17);">Isa 13:17</a>), the assailants of Babylon. It is remarkable that Isaiah does not <i>foretell</i> here the Jews' captivity in Babylon, but <i>presupposes</i> that event, and throws himself <i>beyond,</i> predicting <i>another</i> event still more future, the overthrow of the city of Israel's oppressors. It was now one hundred seventy-four years before the event.
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<br><br><b>shake...hand</b>—<i>beckon</i> with the hand—wave the hand to direct the nations to march against Babylon.
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<br><br><b>nobles</b>—Babylonian. Rather, in a bad sense, <i>tyrants;</i> as in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,5);">Isa 14:5</a>, "rulers" in parallelism to "the wicked"; and <a onclick="return mV('Job',21,28);">Job 21:28</a> [MAURER].
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<p id="Isa13_3"><b>3. sanctified ones</b>—the Median and Persian soldiers <i>solemnly set apart</i> by Me for the destruction of Babylon, not <i>inwardly</i> "sanctified," but <i>designated</i> to fulfil God's <i>holy</i> purpose (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,27,28);">Jer 51:27-28</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Joe',3,9,11);">Joe 3:9, 11</a>; where the <i>Hebrew</i> for <i>prepare</i> war is "sanctify" war).
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<br><br><b>for mine anger</b>—to execute it.
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<br><br><b>rejoice in my highness</b>—"Those who are <i>made to triumph for</i> My honor" [HORSLEY]. The heathen Medes could not be said to "rejoice in God's highness" MAURER translates, "My haughtily exulting ones" (<a onclick="return mV('Zep',3,11);">Zep 3:11</a>); a special characteristic of the Persians [HERODOTUS,1.88]. They <i>rejoiced in their own highness,</i> but it was <i>His</i> that they were unconsciously glorifying.
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<p id="Isa13_4"><b>4. the mountains</b>—namely, which separate Media and Assyria, and on one of which the banner to rally the hosts is supposed to be reared.
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<br><br><b>tumultuous noise</b>—The Babylonians are vividly depicted as hearing some unwonted sound like the din of a host; they try to distinguish the sounds, but can only perceive a <i>tumultuous noise.</i>
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<br><br><b>nations</b>—Medes, Persians, and Armenians composed Cyrus' army.
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<p id="Isa13_5"><b>5. They</b>—namely, "Jehovah," and the armies which are "the weapons of His indignation."
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<br><br><b>far country</b>—Media and Persia, stretching to the far north and east.
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<br><br><b>end of heaven</b>—the far east (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',19,6);">Psa 19:6</a>).
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<br><br><b>destroy</b>—rather, "to seize" [HORSLEY].
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<p id="Isa13_6"><b>6. day of the Lord</b>—day of His vengeance on Babylon (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',2,12);">Isa 2:12</a>). Type of the future "day of wrath" (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',6,17);">Rev 6:17</a>).
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<br><br><b>destruction</b>—literally, "a devastating tempest."
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<br><br><b>from the Almighty</b>—not from mere man; therefore irresistible. "Almighty," <i>Hebrew, Shaddai.</i>
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<p id="Isa13_7"><b>7. faint...melt</b>—So <a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,43);">Jer 50:43</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Jos',7,5);">Jos 7:5</a>. Babylon was taken by surprise on the night of Belshazzar's impious feast (<a onclick="return mV('Dan',5,30);">Dan 5:30</a>). Hence the sudden <i>fainting and melting of hearts.</i>
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<p id="Isa13_8"><b>8. pangs</b>—The <i>Hebrew</i> means also a "messenger." HORSLEY, therefore, with the <i>Septuagint</i> translates, "The <i>heralds</i> (who bring word of the unexpected invasion) <i>are terrified.</i>" MAURER agrees with <i>English Version,</i> literally, "they shall take hold of pangs and sorrows."
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<br><br><b>woman...travaileth</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('1Th',5,3);">1Th 5:3</a>).
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<br><br><b>amazed</b>—the stupid, bewildered gaze of consternation.
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<br><br><b>faces...flames</b>—"their visages have the livid hue of flame" [HORSLEY]; with anguish and indignation.
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<p id="Isa13_9"><b>9. cruel</b>—not strictly, but <i>unsparingly just;</i> opposed to <i>mercy.</i> Also answering to the cruelty (in the strict sense) of Babylon towards others (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,17);">Isa 14:17</a>) now about to be visited on itself.
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<br><br><b>the land</b>—"the earth" [HORSLEY]. The language of <a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,'9-13');">Isa 13:9-13</a> can only primarily and <i>partially</i> apply to Babylon; fully and <i>exhaustively,</i> the judgments to come, hereafter, on the whole earth. Compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,10);">Isa 13:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',8,12);">Rev 8:12</a>. The sins of Babylon, <i>arrogancy</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,11);">Isa 13:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,11);">Isa 14:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',47,7,8);">47:7-8</a>), <i>cruelty, false worship</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,38);">Jer 50:38</a>), <i>persecution of the people of God</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',47,6);">Isa 47:6</a>), are peculiarly characteristic of the Antichristian world of the latter days (<a onclick="return mV('Dan',11,'32-37');">Dan 11:32-37</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',17,3,6);">Rev 17:3, 6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',18,6,7,'9-14',24);">18:6, 7, 9-14, 24</a>).
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<p id="Isa13_10"><b>10. stars,</b> etc.—figuratively for <i>anarchy, distress,</i> and <i>revolutions</i> of kingdoms (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',34,4);">Isa 34:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Joe',2,10);">Joe 2:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',32,7,8);">Eze 32:7-8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Amo',8,9);">Amo 8:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',6,'12-14');">Rev 6:12-14</a>). There may be a <i>literal</i> fulfilment <i>finally,</i> shadowed forth under this imagery (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',21,1);">Rev 21:1</a>).
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<br><br><b>constellations</b>—<i>Hebrew,</i> "a fool," or "impious one"; applied to the constellation <i>Orion,</i> which was represented as an impious giant (Nimrod deified, the founder of Babylon) chained to the sky. See on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Job/Job038.html#Job38_31">Job 38:31</a>.
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<p id="Isa13_11"><b>11. world</b>—<i>the impious</i> of the world (compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',11,4);">Isa 11:4</a>).
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<br><br><b>arrogancy</b>—Babylon's besetting sin (<a onclick="return mV('Dan',4,22,30);">Dan 4:22, 30</a>).
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<br><br><b>the terrible</b>—rather, tyrants [HORSLEY].
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<p id="Isa13_12"><b>12. man...precious</b>—I will so cut off Babylon's defenders, that a <i>single man</i> shall be as rare and precious as the finest gold.
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<p id="Isa13_13"><b>13.</b> Image for mighty revolutions (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',24,19);">Isa 24:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',34,4);">34:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hab',3,6,10);">Hab 3:6, 10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hag',2,6,7);">Hag 2:6-7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',20,11);">Rev 20:11</a>).
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<p id="Isa13_14"><b>14. it</b>—Babylon.
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<br><br><b>roe</b>—gazelle; the most timid and easily startled.
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<br><br><b>no man taketh up</b>—sheep defenseless, <i>without a shepherd</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',13,7);">Zec 13:7</a>).
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<br><br><b>every man...to his own people</b>—The "mingled peoples" of foreign lands shall flee out of her (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,16,28,37);">Jer 50:16, 28, 37</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,9);">51:9</a>).
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<p id="Isa13_15"><b>15. found</b>—in the city.
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<br><br><b>joined</b>—"intercepted" [MAURER]. "Every one that has <i>withdrawn himself,</i>" namely, to hide in the houses [GESENIUS].
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<p id="Isa13_16"><b>16.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',137,8,9);">Psa 137:8-9</a>).
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<p id="Isa13_17"><b>17. Medes</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',21,2);">Isa 21:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,11.28);">Jer 51:11, 28</a>;). At that time they were subject to Assyria; subsequently Arbaces, satrap of Media, revolted against the effeminate Sardanapalus, king of Assyria, destroyed Nineveh, and became king of Media, in the ninth century B.C.
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<br><br><b>not regard silver</b>—In vain will one try to buy his life from them for a ransom. The heathen XENOPHON (<i>Cyropaedia,</i> 5,1,10) represents Cyrus as attributing this characteristic to the Medes, <i>disregard of riches.</i> A curious confirmation of this prophecy.
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<p id="Isa13_18"><b>18. bows</b>—in the use of which the Persians were particularly skilled.
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<p id="Isa13_19"><b>19. glory of kingdoms</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,4);">Isa 14:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',47,5);">47:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,41);">Jer 51:41</a>).
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<br><br><b>beauty of...excellency</b>—<i>Hebrew,</i> "the glory of the pride" of the Chaldees; it was their glory and boast.
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<br><br><b>as...Gomorrah</b>—as utterly (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,18);">Jer 49:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,40);">50:40</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Amo',4,11);">Amo 4:11</a>). Taken by Cyrus, by clearing out the canal made for emptying the superfluous waters of the Euphrates, and directing the river into this new channel, so that he was able to enter the city by the old bed in the night.
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<p id="Isa13_20"><b>20.</b> Literally fulfilled.
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<br><br><b>neither...Arabian pitch tent</b>—Not only shall it not be a permanent residence, but not even a <i>temporary</i> resting-place. The Arabs, through dread of evil spirits, and believing the ghost of Nimrod to haunt it, will not pass the night there (compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,21);">Isa 13:21</a>).
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<br><br><b>neither...shepherds</b>—The region was once most fertile; but owing to the Euphrates being now no longer kept within its former channels, it has become a stagnant marsh, unfit for flocks; and on the wastes of its ruins (bricks and cement) no grass grows.
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<p id="Isa13_21"><b>21. wild beasts</b>—<i>Hebrew, tsiyim,</i> animals dwelling in arid wastes. Wild cats, remarkable for their howl [BOCHART].
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<br><br><b>doleful creatures</b>—"howling beasts," literally, "howlings" [MAURER].
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<br><br><b>owls</b>—rather, "ostriches"; a timorous creature, delighting in solitary deserts and making a hideous noise [BOCHART].
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<br><br><b>satyrs</b>—sylvan demi-gods—half man, half goat—believed by the Arabs to haunt these ruins; probably animals of the goat-ape species [VITRINGA]. <i>Devil-worshippers,</i> who <i>dance</i> amid the ruins on a certain night [J. WOLFF].
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<p id="Isa13_22"><b>22. wild beasts of the islands</b>—rather, "jackals"; called by the Arabs "sons of howling"; an animal midway between a fox and a wolf [BOCHART and MAURER].
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<br><br><b>cry</b>—rather, "answer," "respond" to each other, as wolves do at night, producing a most dismal effect.
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<br><br><b>dragons</b>—serpents of various species, which hiss and utter dolorous sounds. Fable gave them wings, because they stand with much of the body elevated and then dart swiftly. MAURER understands here another species of jackal.
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<br><br><b>her time...near</b>—though one hundred seventy-four years distant, yet "near" to Isaiah, who is supposed to be speaking to the Jews as if now captives <i>in</i> Babylon (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,1,2);">Isa 14:1-2</a>,).
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