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Isaiah 13:9

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Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

Behold, the day {H3117} of the LORD {H3068} cometh {H935}, cruel {H394} both with wrath {H5678} and fierce {H2740} anger {H639}, to lay {H7760} the land {H776} desolate {H8047}: and he shall destroy {H8045} the sinners {H2400} thereof out of it.

Here comes the Day of ADONAI, full of cruelty, rage and hot fury, to desolate the earth and destroy the sinners in it.

Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming— cruel, with fury and burning anger— to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it.

Behold, the day of Jehovah cometh, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

Commentary

Context of Isaiah 13:9

Isaiah chapter 13 begins a series of prophecies concerning the nations surrounding Israel. This particular chapter is a powerful oracle against Babylon, a mighty empire that would later rise to prominence and conquer Judah. While Isaiah lived before Babylon's zenith and its destruction of Jerusalem, this prophecy demonstrates God's foreknowledge and sovereign control over world powers. The "day of the LORD" in this context refers to a specific historical judgment upon Babylon, which would eventually fall to the Medes and Persians. However, the language used also carries eschatological overtones, pointing to a broader principle of divine judgment that culminates in the ultimate great day of God's wrath against all unrighteousness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Certainty of Divine Judgment: The verse emphatically declares the coming of "the day of the LORD," signaling an unavoidable and decisive intervention by God. This judgment is depicted as severe, driven by divine wrath and fierce anger against sin.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: Even powerful empires like Babylon are subject to God's ultimate authority. He uses nations as instruments of His will, and He also judges them for their pride and wickedness.
  • Consequences of Sin: The prophecy clearly states that God will "destroy the sinners thereof out of it." This highlights the direct and devastating consequences of rebellion against God, leading to desolation and removal from the land.
  • The Nature of the "Day of the LORD": For the wicked, this day is one of terror and destruction. It is a time when God's justice is fully executed, laying the land desolate and purging it of those who oppose Him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the day of the LORD" (Hebrew: yom Yahweh) is a significant prophetic idiom found throughout the Old Testament. It signifies a specific time when God decisively intervenes in human history, often bringing judgment upon His enemies and deliverance for His people. Here, it is explicitly characterized by "wrath and fierce anger" (Hebrew: charon 'aph), which conveys intense, burning indignation. The word "cruel" (Hebrew: 'akhzar) emphasizes the merciless and severe nature of this impending judgment, indicating that no leniency will be shown to the rebellious.

Related Scriptures

The concept of "the day of the LORD" is a pervasive theme in biblical prophecy. While Isaiah 13:9 focuses on historical judgment, its language resonates with other prophetic warnings. For instance, the prophet Joel describes a great and terrible Day of the LORD, and Zephaniah likewise speaks of the great Day of the LORD, a day of wrath and trouble. The New Testament also picks up this theme, referring to a future day of judgment, as seen in Paul's warning about the Day of the Lord coming as a thief in the night. The idea of God's wrath against unrighteousness is further elaborated in passages like Romans 1:18, which speaks of "the wrath of God revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men."

Practical Application

Isaiah 13:9 serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and justice. While God is merciful and loving, He is also righteous and will not tolerate sin indefinitely. This verse encourages a healthy fear of God, prompting humility and repentance. It underscores the importance of aligning our lives with God's will, knowing that a day of accountability awaits all. For believers, it reinforces the immense grace received through Christ, who bore the wrath due to humanity, offering salvation from God's righteous anger. For those who remain in rebellion, it is a sober warning to turn to God before the day of judgment arrives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Malachi 4:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

  • Nahum 1:6 (8 votes)

    Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

  • Isaiah 13:15 (6 votes)

    Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined [unto them] shall fall by the sword.

  • Isaiah 13:18 (6 votes)

    [Their] bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.

  • Isaiah 13:6 (5 votes)

    ¶ Howl ye; for the day of the LORD [is] at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

  • Revelation 17:16 (4 votes)

    And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

  • Revelation 17:17 (4 votes)

    For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.