Isaiah 13:1

¶ The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

The burden {H4853} of Babylon {H894}, which Isaiah {H3470} the son {H1121} of Amoz {H531} did see {H2372}.

This is a prophecy about Bavel, which Yesha'yahu the son of Amotz saw:

This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received:

The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

Commentary

Isaiah 13:1 introduces a significant prophetic oracle concerning Babylon, a major power that would profoundly impact Judah's history. This verse sets the stage for a detailed prophecy of divine judgment and the eventual downfall of one of the ancient world's most formidable empires.

Context

This verse marks the beginning of a series of prophecies against various nations, often referred to as "burdens" or "oracles" (chapters 13-23). Isaiah, whose name means "The Lord is salvation," was a prominent prophet active during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in the 8th century BC (Isaiah 1:1). At the time of this prophecy, Assyria was the dominant world power, and Babylon was still a relatively minor kingdom, often subject to Assyrian control. The detailed prediction of Babylon's rise to imperial power and its subsequent destruction, long before these events fully unfolded, underscores the divine origin of Isaiah's message and God's sovereign control over world history.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge: The prophecy highlights God's absolute control over nations and their destinies. He reveals future events to His prophets, demonstrating His foreknowledge and power over human empires, including the mighty Babylon.
  • The Burden of Judgment: The term "burden" signifies a weighty message, often one of impending doom or judgment. This oracle is not merely a prediction but a divine decree against Babylon for its pride and future actions against God's people and other nations.
  • Babylon's Significance: Babylon would later become the empire that conquered Judah and exiled its people, making this prophecy particularly poignant for Isaiah's audience. Its eventual downfall serves as a powerful testament to God's justice and faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Linguistic Insights

The key term in this verse is "burden" (Hebrew: massa). While it can literally mean a "load" or "heavy weight," in a prophetic context, it refers to a solemn, authoritative pronouncement, often one of judgment or a heavy message that the prophet is compelled to deliver. It implies a divine revelation that carries significant gravity. The phrase "did see" (Hebrew: hazah) indicates a prophetic vision or revelation, emphasizing that Isaiah received this message directly from God, not merely through human observation or deduction.

Practical Application

Isaiah 13:1 reminds us that God is sovereign over all nations and history. No empire, no matter how powerful or seemingly invincible, operates outside of His ultimate plan and authority. This truth offers comfort and assurance to believers, knowing that God is in control even amidst global turmoil and the rise and fall of earthly powers. It also serves as a warning that pride and oppression, like those that would characterize Babylon, ultimately face divine reckoning. We are called to trust in God's unfailing justice and His ultimate triumph, as seen in prophecies like this and later in the symbolic fall of Babylon in Revelation 18.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 47:1

    ¶ Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: [there is] no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.

  • Isaiah 47:15

    Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, [even] thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.

  • Isaiah 1:1

    ¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

  • Jeremiah 50:1

    ¶ The word that the LORD spake against Babylon [and] against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.

  • Jeremiah 51:64

    And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far [are] the words of Jeremiah.

  • Revelation 17:1

    ¶ And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

  • Revelation 17:18

    And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.