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Commentary on Isaiah 13 verses 19–22
The great havoc and destruction which it was foretold should be made by the Medes and Persians in Babylon here end in the final destruction of it. 1. It is allowed that Babylon was a noble city. It was the glory of kingdoms and the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency; it was that head of gold (Dan 2:37, Dan 2:38); it was called the lady of kingdoms (Isa 47:5), the praise of the whole earth (Jer 51:41), like a pleasant roe (so the word signifies); but it shall be as a chased roe, Isa 13:14. The Chaldeans gloried in the beauty and wealth of this their metropolis. 2. It is foretold that it should be wholly destroyed, like Sodom and Gomorrah; not so miraculously, nor so suddenly, but as effectually, though gradually; and the destruction should come upon them as that upon Sodom, when they were secure, eating and drinking, Luk 17:28, Luk 17:29. Babylon was taken when Belshazzar was in his revels; and, though Cyrus and Darius did not demolish it, yet by degrees it wasted away and in process of time it went all to ruin. It is foretold here (Isa 13:20) that it shall never be inhabited; in Adrian's time nothing remained but the wall. And whereas it is prophesied concerning Nineveh, that great city, that when it should be deserted and left desolate yet flocks should lie down in the midst of it, it is here said concerning Babylon that the Arabians, who were shepherds, should not make their folds there; the country about should be so barren that there would be no grazing there; no, not for sheep. Nay, it shall be the receptacle of wild beasts, that affect solitude; the houses of Babylon, where the sons and daughters of pleasure used to rendezvous, shall be full of doleful creatures, owls and satyrs, that are themselves frightened thither, as to a place proper for them, and by whom all others are frightened thence. Historians say that this was fulfilled in the letter. Benjamin Bar-Jona, in his Itinerary, speaking of Babel, has these words: "This is that Babel which was of old thirty miles in breadth; it is now laid waste. There are yet to be seen the ruins of a palace of Nebuchadnezzar, but the sons of men dare not enter in, for fear of serpents and scorpions, which possess the place." Let none be proud of their pompous palaces, for they know not but they may become worse than cottages; nor let any think that their houses shall endure for ever (Psa 49:11), when perhaps nothing may remain but the ruins and reproaches of them. 3. It is intimated that this destruction should come shortly (Isa 13:22): Her time is near to come. This prophecy of the destruction of Babylon was intended for the support and comfort of the people of God when they were captives there and grievously oppressed; and the accomplishment of the prophecy was nearly 200 years after the time when it was delivered; yet it followed soon after the time for which it was calculated. When the people of Israel were groaning under the heavy yoke of Babylonish tyranny, sitting down in tears by the rivers of Babylon and upbraided with the songs of Zion, when their insolent oppressors were most haughty and arrogant (Isa 13:11), then let them know, for their comfort, that Babylon's time, her day to fall, is near to come, and the days of her prosperity shall not be prolonged, as they have been. When God begins with her he will make an end. Thus it is said of the destruction of the New Testament Babylon, whereof the former was a type, In one hour has her judgment come.
(Verse 20) You will not have the fellowship of a putrid corpse nor be buried with them. For you have destroyed your land and killed your people. LXX: Just as a garment mixed with blood cannot be clean, neither will you be clean, for you have destroyed my land and killed my people. Because there is a significant difference between the Hebrew and LXX translations, let us discuss them separately. Like a putrid corpse, or as Aquila translated, trampled, you will not have the fellowship of burial, nor even with those whom you have killed. For you are the master, they were the disciples: and to whom more is entrusted, more is required from him. For you have destroyed your land, you have killed your people, namely those who were entrusted to you for governance. Therefore, dare to say to the Savior: All these things have been entrusted to me, and I will give them to you, if you prostrate yourself and worship me (Matt. IV, 9). However, the putrid carcass of the devil cannot doubt due to the magnitude of sins, as one who reads that sin is the foulest, with the sinner himself saying: My wounds have become rotten and have festered because of my foolishness (Psalm XXXVII, 6). On the contrary, the virtue of good odor is: from which also the love of spiritual brothers is compared to an ointment, which descended upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, and upon the edge of his garment (Psalm 132). And the bridegroom speaks to the bride: Your fragrance is sweet, and your face is lovely (Song of Songs 2:14). But how the body of the devil is spiritually trampled, the Apostle teaches us: God will quickly crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16:20). And the Lord said: I will wipe them out like the mud of the streets (Ps. XVII, 43). Because he lost the land entrusted to him, and he crushed the people committed to him, not reserving them alive for God, but preparing partners for his own tomb: therefore he will not be, nor will he be called forever the seed of the wicked. Furthermore, according to the Septuagint, this has the following meaning: O Lucifer, you who rose in the morning, when you had the works of virtue and light, you were the garment of God, and it could be said of you: clothed with light as with a garment (Ps. CIII, 2): because you have killed many with the sword, who have descended to the underworld, and you are defiled by their blood, you will not be called the garment of God, but a garment mixed with blood, not stained and polluted, so that you appear to have something clean, but completely drenched in blood. And this should be noted, that concerning the devil it is said: just as a garment mixed with blood will not be clean, so you will not be clean. Where therefore are those who grant repentance to the devil, and say that he can be cleansed? Let us not immediately embrace the heresy that asserts there are diverse natures; and that there is another which will never receive healing. For this garment is not unclean in itself, and thus was ordained by God, by which God Himself was once clothed; but because it is mixed with blood, and has polluted itself entirely with its own vice, and with added evils, it will not be clean. And therefore it will not be clean, because it has lost the earth of the Lord, killing His people, destroying the land of Judah and the land of confession, and also killing and destroying the saints. And therefore it will not remain forever. Hence it is said in the Gospel: Go into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). But just as the holy garment is of God, and the new garment, and is clothed in the robe of salvation and joy, saying: My soul shall rejoice in the Lord, for he has clothed me with the garment of salvation and has wrapped me with the robe of joy (Isaiah 61:10): so, on the other hand, the sinner, who bears the image of the old and earthly man, deserves to hear: Behold, all of you shall become like a worn-out garment, and the moth shall devour you (Isaiah 50:9). But whoever progresses in evil and does not desire to cleanse the old with newness, will be compared not to an old garment, but to the cloth of a menstruating woman, saying: We have erred, and we have all become unclean, like the cloth of a menstruating woman; all our righteousness is as the cloth of a menstruating woman.
(Verses 20-22.) Neither the Arabs will pitch their tents there, nor will shepherds rest there; instead, there will be beasts, their houses will be filled with dragons, and ostriches will dwell there, and hairy creatures will leap about. And owls will answer in her buildings, and sirens in the temples of pleasure. Babylon will be so devastated and deserted that it won't even be useful for pastures of cattle and flocks. For the Arabs and Saracens will not pitch their tents there, nor will shepherds rest after the footsteps of their weary flocks; but among the walls and narrow spaces of the old ruins, the Siim will dwell, which only the seventy translators have rendered as such; others, by the same word, which is written in Hebrew, want to be understood as types of demons or phantoms. And the houses will be filled, as we have said, with dragons: as the Eagle has transferred, with typhons, as Symmachus Ohim (), expressing the Hebrew word itself: but the LXX and Theodotion have interpreted them as shouts or sounds. And that which follows: The shaggy ones will dance there, or incubi, or satyrs, or certain wild men, whom some call Foolish Fruiterers, or understand them as types of demons. And for owls, all the LXX have transferred the Hebrew word itself Iim (), only Theodotion have rendered it as centaurs. The Thennim are called Sirens, which we interpret as either demons, or certain monsters, or certainly great dragons, which have crests and can fly. Through all these things, signs of desolation and wilderness are shown: that the destruction of a once powerful city is so great, that due to the multitude of demons and beasts, no shepherd, that is, a seeker of the deserted, dares to enter it. We learned from a certain Elamite brother, who, leaving those territories, now lives the life of a monk in Jerusalem, that the royal hunts in Babylon are, and all types of beasts are restrained only by the circumference of its walls.
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SUMMARY
Isaiah 13:20 delivers a stark and absolute prophecy concerning the irreversible desolation of Babylon, a once-mighty empire. It vividly portrays a future where the city, destined for divine judgment, will become so utterly uninhabitable that not even transient nomads or shepherds seeking temporary shelter for their flocks will dare to settle there, underscoring the perpetual and complete nature of its ruin across all future generations.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Isaiah 13:20 is rich in Hyperbole and Understatement, used to emphasize the extreme nature of Babylon's desolation. While "never" and "from generation to generation" might seem like hyperbole for a city that did have some later, limited habitation, in prophetic literature, such language often denotes a profound and lasting ruin far beyond typical recovery. The mention of the Arabian and shepherds is a form of Understatement or Litotes, as it describes the absence of even the most transient inhabitants, thereby powerfully conveying the totality of the abandonment. The verse also employs Parallelism, specifically Negative Parallelism, where each clause reinforces the idea of non-habitation through different examples ("never be inhabited," "neither shall it be dwelt in," "neither shall the Arabian pitch tent," "neither shall the shepherds make their fold"). This repetitive structure builds intensity and drives home the message of complete and utter ruin. Furthermore, the vivid imagery of a land so desolate that even nomads and shepherds avoid it creates a powerful and memorable picture of a cursed landscape, serving as a stark Symbolism of divine judgment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 13:20 stands as a profound testament to God's absolute sovereignty over human history and His unwavering commitment to justice. It reveals that no earthly empire, no matter how formidable or seemingly invincible, operates outside the purview of divine decree. Babylon, a symbol of human pride, idolatry, and oppressive power, is brought to nothing by the very God it defied. This prophecy assures God's people that their oppressors will ultimately face accountability, and that God's word, once spoken, will inevitably come to pass. It underscores the reliability of divine prophecy, offering both a warning to the wicked and immense comfort to the righteous, knowing that God will ultimately vindicate His purposes and establish His eternal kingdom.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 13:20 offers a powerful and sobering reflection for all generations. It reminds us that earthly power, wealth, and influence are fleeting and ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God. No human construct, no matter how grand or seemingly enduring, can withstand divine judgment when it stands in opposition to God's righteousness and justice. For us today, this prophecy serves as a vital call to humility, urging us not to place our ultimate trust in temporal systems or human achievements, but rather in the eternal God who alone holds the future. It encourages us to examine our own lives and societies, questioning where we might be building "Babylons" of pride, materialism, or self-sufficiency, rather than seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness. Furthermore, it offers profound hope to those who feel oppressed or overwhelmed by the injustices of the world, assuring them that God sees, God acts, and God will ultimately bring all things to account, establishing a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Has Isaiah 13:20 been literally fulfilled, given that parts of ancient Babylon have been excavated and even partially restored?
Answer: While archaeological efforts have indeed uncovered and even partially reconstructed elements of ancient Babylon, the prophecy in Isaiah 13:20 speaks to a profound and enduring state of desolation that goes beyond mere physical ruins. The "never be inhabited" and "from generation to generation" refers to the cessation of Babylon as a thriving, self-sustaining city and center of power, particularly in the manner of its former glory. Historically, after its fall to Cyrus the Great in 539 BC, Babylon steadily declined. Subsequent attempts at rebuilding or repopulation were largely unsuccessful or temporary, and it never regained its status as a major metropolitan center. Today, the site remains largely uninhabited, a stark contrast to its ancient vibrancy. The prophecy's emphasis on even the most transient occupants (Arabians, shepherds) avoiding it highlights an extreme level of abandonment that has indeed characterized the site for millennia, fulfilling the spirit and intent of the prophecy regarding its permanent loss of vitality and human flourishing.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 13:20, in its declaration of Babylon's utter and perpetual desolation, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of God's eternal kingdom over all earthly empires and systems that oppose Him. Babylon, throughout Scripture, often serves as a symbol of the world system in rebellion against God, characterized by pride, idolatry, and oppression. Just as ancient Babylon fell, so too will every spiritual "Babylon" be utterly destroyed at the coming of Christ. The finality of Babylon's desolation foreshadows the definitive victory of Christ over sin, death, and all evil powers, as depicted in the New Testament. The Lamb of God, who was slain and by His blood ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation Revelation 5:9, is the one who ultimately brings down all opposing kingdoms. His reign is eternal, and His kingdom knows no end, unlike the fleeting empires of this world. The "never be inhabited" of Babylon points to the eternal habitation and security found only in Christ, who promises to prepare a place for His followers in His Father's house John 14:2. The absence of the Arabian and shepherd in Babylon's ruins contrasts sharply with Christ, the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep and gathers them into His eternal fold, where they will never perish John 10:11 and John 10:28. Thus, the judgment on Babylon serves as a powerful backdrop, highlighting the enduring and glorious reign of Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose kingdom is forever.