Isaiah 13:2

KJV

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

KJV (with Strong's)

Lift ye up {H5375} a banner {H5251} upon the high {H8192} mountain {H2022}, exalt {H7311} the voice {H6963} unto them, shake {H5130} the hand {H3027}, that they may go {H935} into the gates {H6607} of the nobles {H5081}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hoist a banner on a high mountain, shout to [the invaders]; beckon them to enter the Nobles' Gate.

Berean Standard Bible

Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles.

American Standard Version

Set ye up an ensign upon the bare mountain, lift up the voice unto them, wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 13:2 serves as a powerful divine imperative, initiating the assembly of forces destined to execute God's sovereign judgment upon the formidable empire of Babylon. This verse functions as a clarion call, commanding the raising of a visible banner on a prominent mountain, the amplification of a summoning voice, and the shaking of a beckoning hand, all to mobilize a divinely appointed army. Their ultimate and specific mission is to penetrate the very heart of Babylon's power, symbolized by the "gates of the nobles," signaling the impending, inevitable, and comprehensive downfall of a proud and oppressive empire under the absolute authority of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 13 marks a pivotal transition in the book of Isaiah, commencing a significant section of "oracles concerning the nations" that extends through chapter 23. This chapter specifically introduces "the burden of Babylon" ([Isaiah 13:1](/isaiah/13-1 "Isaiah 13:1 - The Burden Against Babylon")), following prophecies primarily focused on Assyria (Isaiah 10-12). The immediate verses (Isaiah 13:2-3) detail a divine mobilization, portraying God as actively summoning and sanctifying a distant army—not Israel—to accomplish His specific purpose. The subsequent verses (Isaiah 13:4-8) vividly depict the terrifying approach and overwhelming power of this divinely commissioned host, emphasizing the universal dread and despair it will inflict. This oracle sets the stage for a broader theological narrative within Isaiah, where God's judgment on proud, unrighteous nations is juxtaposed with His ultimate redemptive plan for Israel and the coming Messianic kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy against Babylon in Isaiah 13 is remarkable for its foresight, as Babylon was not yet the dominant global power during Isaiah's 8th-century BC ministry; Assyria held that supremacy. This oracle therefore functions as a long-range prophetic declaration, foretelling Babylon's future rise to power and its subsequent, dramatic fall, specifically at the hands of the Medes and Persians (cf. [Isaiah 21:2](/isaiah/21-2 "Isaiah 21:2 - The Treachery of Elam and Media")). In ancient warfare, the "high mountain" was a practical and effective strategic location for raising a military standard or signal, ensuring its visibility across vast distances and serving as a clear rallying point for dispersed troops. The "shaking of the hand" was a universally recognized non-verbal gesture of beckoning, summoning, or directing, conveying an urgent and unmistakable command for assembly and movement. The "gates of the nobles" refers to the fortified entrances of a city, particularly those leading to the most prestigious districts, residences of the elite, or administrative centers. Breaching these gates signified the complete conquest and subjugation of the city's leadership, wealth, and defense.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 13:2 powerfully articulates and contributes to several profound themes central to Isaiah's prophecy and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute control over the rise and fall of nations, even those seemingly invincible in their might. The explicit divine command to "lift up a banner" and "exalt the voice" highlights the theme of **Divine Summons and Mobilization**, where God actively orchestrates historical events by calling and empowering specific instruments—even pagan nations—to fulfill His righteous purposes. This is echoed in other prophetic books, such as God raising up the Chaldeans in [Habakkuk 1:6](/habakkuk/1-6 "Habakkuk 1:6 - God Raises Up the Chaldeans"). Furthermore, the specific targeting of the "gates of the nobles" foreshadows the recurrent biblical theme of the **Humbling of Human Pride and Arrogance**. Babylon's eventual downfall, elaborated upon later in this chapter and in other prophecies (e.g., [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50 - Prophecy Against Babylon")), serves as a stark reminder that all earthly power and glory are ultimately transient and subject to the will of the Most High, a truth profoundly articulated in [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God Rules Over Kingdoms").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Banner (Hebrew, _nêç'_):** (H5251) This term denotes a flag, standard, or signal, serving as a visible rallying point for military forces or a sign of impending action. Its strategic placement on a "high mountain" ensures maximum visibility, effectively communicating the divine summons to distant armies. It functions as a public emblem of God's authority and the commencement of a divinely ordained military campaign.
* **Shake (Hebrew, _nûwph'_):** (H5130) This verb describes a quivering, vibrating, or waving motion. In conjunction with "hand" (H3027, _yâd'_), it signifies a strong, unmistakable gesture of beckoning, summoning, or directing. This action conveys urgency and a clear, non-verbal directive for the called ones to respond and advance, emphasizing the imperative and undeniable nature of the divine command.
* **Nobles (Hebrew, _nâdîyb'_):** (H5081) Derived from a root meaning "voluntary" or "generous," this word refers to individuals of high social rank, princes, rulers, or grandees. In the context of Babylon, it specifically points to the elite, the powerful, and the wealthy who reside within the city's fortified gates. Their "gates" symbolize the very seat of their authority, privilege, and security, which God intends to dismantle, signifying the complete overthrow of the ruling class and their power structures.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain,"**: This is an emphatic imperative, a direct divine command to those who will act as instruments of judgment. The "banner" (nêç) functions as a visible ensign or standard, serving as a rallying point for an assembling army. Its placement "upon the high mountain" ensures its widespread visibility across the landscape, indicating a call to forces from various, potentially distant, regions. This clause signifies the public and undeniable initiation of a divinely orchestrated military campaign.
* **"exalt the voice unto them,"**: Complementing the visual signal, this command adds a powerful auditory component to the summons. To "exalt the voice" means to raise it loudly, to shout or proclaim with authority and urgency. This emphasizes the clarity and compelling nature of the divine call, ensuring that the message reaches and powerfully compels the designated instruments of God's wrath to respond.
* **"shake the hand,"**: This is a direct, emphatic, and universally understood gesture of summons or beckoning. The "shaking of the hand" (nûwph yâd) is a non-verbal command, a powerful signal that reinforces the urgency and directness of God's call to action. It conveys an unmistakable directive for the summoned forces to gather, prepare, and advance without delay.
* **"that they may go into the gates of the nobles."**: This final clause reveals the precise objective and ultimate target of the summoned army. "Going into the gates" signifies a decisive invasion, a breaching of the city's defenses. The "gates of the nobles" represent the most secure, privileged, and powerful parts of Babylon—the residences and administrative centers of its rulers, elite, and wealthy. This indicates that the divine judgment will strike at the very heart of Babylon's leadership, wealth, and authority, leading to its complete and humiliating overthrow.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 13:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and authoritative message. The pervasive **Imperative Mood**, evident in commands like "Lift ye up," "exalt," and "shake," directly underscores God's active and decisive role in orchestrating these events, emphasizing divine agency. Vivid **Imagery** is central, painting clear mental pictures of a "banner upon the high mountain" and the "gates of the nobles," creating a distinct visual landscape of a military summons and its specific target. The "high mountain" functions as a strategic, visible platform, while "gates of the nobles" serves as a powerful **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the physical entry points symbolize the entire power structure, wealth, and elite of the city. The actions of "exalting the voice" and "shaking the hand" are instances of **Figurative Language** that intensify the urgency and clarity of the divine command, almost personifying the divine summons itself as a physical, undeniable gesture that compels immediate response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 13:2 stands as a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over human history and the destinies of nations. It underscores the foundational theological truth that no empire, however mighty, self-sufficient, or seemingly invincible, operates outside the purview of God's ultimate authority. The divine summons for the destruction of Babylon, a future superpower, serves as a stark reminder that national pride, idolatry, oppression, and defiance against God will inevitably lead to divine judgment. This verse vividly illustrates God's willingness and ability to raise up and utilize unlikely instruments—even pagan nations like the Medes and Persians—to accomplish His righteous purposes, demonstrating His meticulous control over all principalities and powers. It speaks to a divine justice that ensures accountability for national sin, even if delayed, and foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly kingdoms.

* [Jeremiah 50:2-3](/jeremiah/50-2 "Jeremiah 50:2-3 - Prophecy of Babylon's Fall"): "Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces. For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast."
* [Revelation 18:4-5](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4-5 - Call to Come Out of Babylon the Great"): "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities."
* [Habakkuk 1:6](/habakkuk/1-6 "Habakkuk 1:6 - God Raises Up the Chaldeans"): "For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 13:2, though rooted in a specific historical prophecy, carries timeless spiritual principles and profound implications for contemporary believers. It compels us to acknowledge God's unwavering sovereignty over all earthly powers and global affairs, reminding us that even amidst geopolitical turmoil, the apparent dominance of unrighteous systems, or the rise and fall of nations, God remains firmly on His throne, orchestrating history toward His redemptive and judicial ends. This truth should instill in us a profound sense of trust, peace, and security, knowing that ultimately, no human empire, ideology, or force can thwart His ultimate plan. Furthermore, the divine summons to action in this verse challenges us to consider our own readiness to respond to God's call in our lives. Just as He summoned armies for judgment, He calls His people today for the advancement of His kingdom—whether through faithful evangelism, courageous acts of justice, compassionate service, or standing firm against spiritual darkness. We are to be attentive to His signals, ready to use our voices to proclaim His truth and our hands to serve His purposes, understanding that our individual and collective efforts, however seemingly small, contribute to His grand, unfolding narrative of redemption and ultimate triumph.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's absolute sovereignty over nations impact your perspective on current global events and the future of humanity?**
* **In what specific ways might God be "shaking His hand" or "exalting His voice" in your personal life or in the world today, calling you to a particular action, awareness, or spiritual posture?**
* **What "gates of the nobles"—whether personal strongholds of pride, systemic societal injustices, or entrenched spiritual opposition—do you believe God is calling His people to confront and overcome in this present age?**

### FAQ
**Who is being summoned by God in this verse, and why?**

Answer: The verse describes God summoning a military force, though it does not explicitly name them within this specific verse. The broader context of Isaiah 13, particularly [Isaiah 13:17](/isaiah/13-17 "Isaiah 13:17 - The Medes Against Babylon"), reveals that these are the Medes, and by extension, the Persians, who would eventually conquer Babylon. God is summoning them as instruments of His divine wrath to execute judgment upon Babylon for its immense pride, widespread idolatry, and its cruel oppression of other nations, including Israel. This demonstrates God's sovereign prerogative to use even pagan nations as tools to fulfill His righteous purposes in history.

**What is the significance of the "high mountain" and the "banner" in this context?**

Answer: The "high mountain" serves as a strategic and highly visible location, a natural vantage point from which a signal could be seen across a vast expanse of land. The "banner" (Hebrew: _nêç_) is a standard, flag, or ensign, commonly used in ancient warfare as a rallying point for assembling troops. Together, they symbolize a clear, unmistakable, and far-reaching divine call to arms. Placing the banner on a high mountain ensures that the summoned forces from distant lands would see the signal and gather for the impending campaign against Babylon. It represents the public, undeniable, and authoritative nature of God's decree, visible to all who are called to participate in His judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 13:2 directly prophesies the historical judgment of ancient Babylon through the Medes, its underlying theological principles find profound and ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate "banner" or "standard" (cf. [Isaiah 11:10](/isaiah/11-10 "Isaiah 11:10 - The Root of Jesse as a Banner")) to whom all nations will ultimately rally. He is the one whom God has "lifted up" on the "high mountain" of Calvary, not primarily as a signal for judgment upon a city, but as a beacon of salvation, hope, and reconciliation for all humanity (cf. [John 3:14-15](/john/3-14 "John 3:14-15 - The Son of Man Lifted Up")). Furthermore, just as God summoned an army to dismantle the "gates of the nobles" in Babylon, Christ, through His victorious death and glorious resurrection, has triumphed over all spiritual "nobles" and powers of darkness. He has disarmed principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, leading them in triumph (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The ultimate "going into the gates of the nobles" is seen in Christ's final, decisive victory over all earthly kingdoms and the establishment of His eternal, unshakable kingdom, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship (cf. [Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). He is the one who will ultimately "shake the heavens and the earth" (cf. [Hebrews 12:26-27](/hebrews/12-26 "Hebrews 12:26-27 - The Shaking of All Things")) to bring about His final reign, assembling His redeemed people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to participate in His glorious, eternal triumph.

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 5:26

And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

Jeremiah 51:58

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.

Jeremiah 50:2

Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, [and] conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

Jeremiah 51:25

Behold, I [am] against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.

Isaiah 45:1

¶ Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

Isaiah 45:3

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call [thee] by thy name, [am] the God of Israel.

Isaiah 10:32

As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand [against] the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.