Isaiah 21:9

And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, [with] a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

And, behold, here cometh {H935} a chariot {H7393} of men {H376}, with a couple {H6776} of horsemen {H6571}. And he answered {H6030} and said {H559}, Babylon {H894} is fallen {H5307}, is fallen {H5307}; and all the graven images {H6456} of her gods {H430} he hath broken {H7665} unto the ground {H776}.

Then, as they appeared - the cavalry, horsemen in pairs - he spoke these words: "She has fallen! She has fallen - Bavel! All the carved images of her gods lie shattered on the ground."

Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!”

and, behold, here cometh a troop of men, horsemen in pairs. And he answered and said, Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the graven images of her gods are broken unto the ground.

Commentary

Isaiah 21:9 delivers a powerful prophetic announcement, signaling the definitive downfall of a mighty ancient empire. This verse captures the climax of a divine vision granted to the prophet Isaiah, revealing the swift and total collapse of Babylon, a dominant world power of its time.

Context of Isaiah 21:9

This verse is part of the "Burden of the Desert of the Sea," an oracle concerning Babylon (Isaiah 21:1-10). The prophet Isaiah describes a watchman posted on a tower, tasked with observing and reporting what he sees. The vision is one of intense distress and anticipation, culminating in the dramatic report of a chariot approaching. This chariot, described as "a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen," represents the invading forces that would bring Babylon to its knees. The watchman's subsequent declaration is the focal point of the prophecy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Certainty of Babylon's Fall: The repetition, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen," is a prophetic declaration of absolute certainty. It emphasizes that this event is not merely a possibility but a decreed reality, already accomplished in God's sovereign plan. This repetition underscores the immutability of God's word.
  • Divine Judgment on Idolatry: A crucial aspect of Babylon's downfall is the breaking of its "graven images of her gods." Babylon was notorious for its polytheistic worship and numerous idols. Their destruction signifies not just a military defeat but a spiritual triumph of the one true God over false deities and the idolatry that characterized the Babylonian empire. It highlights God's opposition to all forms of false worship and the vanity of trusting in created things rather than the Creator.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Empires: This prophecy, delivered long before Babylon reached its peak or fall, demonstrates God's ultimate control over human history and the rise and fall of nations. No empire, however powerful, can stand against the divine decree.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "Babylon is fallen, is fallen" (נָפְלָה נָפְלָה בָּבֶל - naphelah naphelah Babel) uses a powerful literary device called reduplication, which intensely emphasizes the completeness and finality of the action. It's a declaration of an accomplished fact, even though it was future at the time of the prophecy. The term "graven images" (פְּסִילִים - pesilim) refers specifically to idols that are carved or sculptured, often from wood or stone, and then adorned or worshipped. Their shattering symbolizes the utter impotence of these false gods in the face of the true God's judgment.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Cross-References

The prophecy of Babylon's fall was dramatically fulfilled in 539 BC when Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, conquered the city. This event is vividly described in the book of Daniel, particularly in Daniel 5, where King Belshazzar's feast is interrupted by the "handwriting on the wall" foretelling his kingdom's end. The breaking of the idols likely refers to the desecration or destruction of Babylonian temples and cult objects by the conquering Persians. Furthermore, the prophetic declaration in Isaiah 21:9 finds a profound echo in the New Testament, where the symbolic "Babylon" (representing a system of worldly rebellion and idolatry) is also declared fallen in Revelation 18:2, emphasizing God's ultimate triumph over all forms of spiritual corruption.

Practical Application

Isaiah 21:9 serves as a timeless reminder that all human power, wealth, and false worship are temporary and ultimately subject to God's judgment. It encourages believers to place their trust not in the fleeting strength of worldly systems or material idols, but in the enduring sovereignty of God. Just as ancient Babylon's pride and idolatry led to its spectacular fall, so too will all systems and individuals who oppose God's truth face ultimate accountability. This verse offers hope to the oppressed and a stern warning to those who rely on anything other than the Lord.

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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

  • Revelation 18:2 (6 votes)

    And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

  • Jeremiah 51:8 (5 votes)

    Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

  • Revelation 14:8 (5 votes)

    And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

  • Jeremiah 51:44 (4 votes)

    And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.

  • Isaiah 13:19 (3 votes)

    ¶ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

  • Jeremiah 51:27 (2 votes)

    Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.

  • Isaiah 46:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages [were] heavy loaden; [they are] a burden to the weary [beast].