Isaiah 13:1

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 13:1 serves as the solemn introduction to a significant prophetic oracle concerning Babylon, a major geopolitical power that would later rise to prominence and profoundly impact the history of Judah. This verse immediately establishes the divine origin and weighty nature of the message, identifying the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, as the recipient of this profound vision of judgment and the eventual downfall of one of the ancient world's most formidable empires.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 13:1 inaugurates a distinct section of the book of Isaiah, specifically chapters 13-23, which comprise a series of "burdens" or oracles against various foreign nations. This section follows Isaiah's earlier prophecies primarily directed at Judah and Jerusalem (chapters 1-12), shifting the prophetic gaze to the broader geopolitical landscape. The placement of the oracle against Babylon first in this series is highly significant, foreshadowing its eventual role as the instrument of God's judgment against Judah and its subsequent, dramatic fall, which serves as a paradigm for divine judgment against all proud human empires.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Isaiah's ministry is the 8th century BC, a period dominated by the Neo-Assyrian Empire. At the time Isaiah received this prophecy, Babylon was not yet the dominant world power; it was a relatively minor kingdom, often subject to Assyrian control and frequently rebelling against it. The detailed prediction of Babylon's rise to imperial power and its subsequent, devastating destruction, long before these events fully unfolded (the Babylonian Empire would not reach its zenith until the late 7th and 6th centuries BC), underscores the supernatural origin of Isaiah's message. This foreknowledge demonstrates God's sovereign control over historical trajectories, even those involving distant and seemingly insignificant kingdoms.
* **Key Themes:** This introductory verse immediately introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**, demonstrating God's absolute control over nations and their destinies, revealing future events to His prophets as seen in [Isaiah 46:9-10](/isaiah/46-9 "Isaiah 46:9-10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning"). Secondly, the term "burden" signifies the **Weight of Divine Judgment**, indicating a heavy, authoritative pronouncement of impending doom, not merely a prediction, but a divine decree against Babylon for its future pride and oppression. Lastly, it establishes **Babylon's Symbolic Significance**, which, while a literal empire, also becomes a powerful archetype for human rebellion against God, a theme that finds its ultimate echo in the symbolic "Babylon" of [Revelation](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burden (Hebrew, _massâʼ'_):** From the root _nâsâʼ_ (to lift, carry), this term literally means "a load" or "heavy weight." In a prophetic context, as here, it refers to a solemn, authoritative pronouncement, often one of impending judgment or a weighty message that the prophet is compelled to deliver. It implies a divine revelation that carries significant gravity and often brings distress or a heavy responsibility to the one who hears or delivers it.
* **Babylon (Hebrew, _Bâbel'_):** Derived from _bâlal_ (to confuse), this name signifies "confusion." It refers to the ancient city and empire of Babylon, located in Mesopotamia. While a literal geographic and political entity, its name and history, particularly its association with the Tower of Babel in [Genesis 11](/genesis/11 "Genesis 11 - The Tower of Babel"), imbue it with symbolic meaning as a center of human pride, rebellion against God, and the resulting confusion and dispersion.
* **Did see (Hebrew, _châzâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to gaze at," "to perceive," or "to contemplate." In a prophetic context, it specifically means "to have a vision of" or "to prophesy." This term emphasizes that Isaiah received this message through a direct, supernatural revelation or vision from God, rather than through human observation, deduction, or speculation. It underscores the divine origin and authority of the oracle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ The burden of Babylon,"**: This phrase immediately sets the tone and subject of the oracle. "The burden" (מַשָּׂא, _massâʼ_) indicates a heavy, divinely imposed message, usually one of judgment or severe consequence. It signifies that the following prophecy is not merely a human observation but a weighty divine pronouncement. "Of Babylon" identifies the specific target of this oracle, signaling that the focus will be on this powerful, yet ultimately doomed, empire.
* **"which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see."**: This clause authenticates the prophecy by identifying the prophet and the nature of his reception of the message. Isaiah, whose name means "Yahweh is salvation," is explicitly named as the recipient. The phrase "the son of Amoz" further grounds his identity. "Did see" (חָזָה, _châzâh_) emphasizes that this message was not a product of human thought but a direct, visual, and spiritual revelation from God, a prophetic vision. This highlights the divine authority and certainty of the impending judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 13:1 employs several key literary devices. The most prominent is the **Prophetic Oracle**, a specific genre of prophetic literature characterized by a divine pronouncement, often introduced by a formula such as "the burden of" or "the word of the Lord." This structure immediately signals to the reader that the following content is a message from God, delivered through His chosen messenger. The term "burden" itself functions as a **Metaphor**, representing not a physical weight but the heavy, solemn, and often distressing nature of the divine message, particularly one of judgment. It conveys the gravity and inevitability of what is to come. Finally, the verse uses **Attribution** by explicitly naming "Isaiah the son of Amoz" as the one who "did see" the vision. This serves to authenticate the prophecy, grounding it in the known historical figure of the prophet and emphasizing that the message originates from a divine source rather than human conjecture.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 13:1 profoundly articulates the theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and history. It demonstrates that no empire, no matter how powerful or seemingly invincible, operates outside of His ultimate plan and authority. This foreknowledge of Babylon's rise and fall, long before its imperial zenith, serves as a powerful testament to God's omnipotence and His commitment to justice. The "burden" signifies that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a weighty, deliberate act against human pride and oppression, ultimately serving His redemptive purposes for His people and the world. This truth offers profound comfort and assurance to believers across generations, reminding them that even amidst global turmoil and the rise and fall of earthly powers, God remains firmly in control, working all things according to His sovereign will.

* [Jeremiah 25:12](/jeremiah/25-12 "Jeremiah 25:12 - Prophecy of Babylon's Fall")
* [Habakkuk 2:6-8](/habakkuk/2-6 "Habakkuk 2:6-8 - Woe to the Oppressor")
* [Revelation 18:2](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2 - The Symbolic Fall of Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 13:1, though an ancient prophecy concerning a distant empire, holds profound contemporary relevance for believers. It calls us to recognize God's unfailing sovereignty over all human affairs, reminding us that no earthly power, ideology, or system can ultimately thwart His purposes. In a world often characterized by political instability, the rise and fall of nations, and the hubris of human leaders, this verse offers an anchor of hope: God remains on His throne, orchestrating history toward His ultimate ends. It challenges us to examine our own trust: Do we place our ultimate hope in human institutions, or in the God who declares the end from the beginning? Furthermore, the "burden" against Babylon serves as a timeless warning against pride, oppression, and self-sufficiency, reminding us that those who exalt themselves against God or His people will ultimately face divine reckoning. This should inspire humility in our own lives and a commitment to justice, knowing that God champions the oppressed and brings down the proud.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's foreknowledge of Babylon's rise and fall strengthen your faith in His sovereignty over current global events?**
* **What "burdens" or weighty messages from God might we be called to "see" or proclaim in our own generation, concerning injustice or sin?**
* **In what ways might our own lives or societies exhibit characteristics of pride or self-sufficiency that could invite divine correction?**
* **How does the ultimate fall of powerful, oppressive empires like Babylon encourage us to place our hope in God's eternal kingdom rather than fleeting earthly powers?**

### FAQ
**What is a "burden" in prophetic literature, and why is it used here?**

Answer: In prophetic literature, especially in the book of Isaiah, a "burden" (Hebrew: _massâʼ_) refers to a solemn, weighty, and authoritative divine pronouncement. It's more than just a prediction; it's a declaration of God's decree, often carrying a sense of impending doom or judgment. The term implies a heavy message that the prophet is compelled to deliver, and it often evokes a sense of distress or gravity for both the messenger and the recipients. It is used here in [Isaiah 13:1](/isaiah/13-1 "Isaiah 13:1 - The Burden of Babylon") to emphasize the serious and unalterable nature of God's judgment against Babylon, highlighting that this is a divine decree rather than a mere human observation or speculation.

**Why is Babylon singled out for such a detailed prophecy so early in Isaiah's ministry, given that Assyria was the dominant power at the time?**

Answer: Babylon's early and prominent placement in Isaiah's prophecies, particularly in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - The Burden Against Babylon"), is highly significant for several reasons. Historically, while Assyria was the immediate threat during Isaiah's time (8th century BC), God, in His foreknowledge, revealed to Isaiah that Babylon would rise to become the next great world empire. More importantly, Babylon would serve as God's instrument of judgment against Judah, leading to the Babylonian Exile (as detailed in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile")). Therefore, this prophecy not only demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over the course of history, revealing events centuries in advance, but also prepares Isaiah's audience for the future, explaining the divine hand behind the coming trials. Theologically, Babylon also becomes a powerful symbol of human pride, rebellion, and opposition to God, making its judgment a paradigm for God's ultimate triumph over all evil powers, a theme that resonates even in the New Testament's portrayal of "Babylon" in [Revelation](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Prostitute and the Beast").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 13:1 directly prophesies the historical downfall of Babylon, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers and the final judgment of all systems that oppose God, culminating in the reign of Jesus Christ. Babylon, as a symbol of human pride, idolatry, and oppression, represents the very forces that stand against God's righteous rule. The "burden" of judgment pronounced here foreshadows the comprehensive judgment that Christ, as the righteous King and Judge, will execute upon all ungodliness. Just as Babylon's seemingly invincible power crumbled before God's decree, so too will all earthly kingdoms and spiritual strongholds ultimately bow before the [Lordship of Jesus Christ](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation"). The Lamb of God, who was slain and has conquered sin and death, is the one who will ultimately bring down all "Babylonian" systems of injustice and rebellion, establishing His eternal kingdom of peace and righteousness. The vision of a new heaven and new earth in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth") promises a world where the "burden" of sin and human empire is forever lifted, replaced by the glorious and everlasting reign of God and His Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.