Geneva Study Bible The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see. The {a} burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.
(a) That is, the great calamity which was prophesied to come on Babel, a grievous burden which they were not able to bear. In these twelve chapters following he speaks of the plagues with which God would smite the strange nations (whom they knew) to declare that God chastised the Israelites as his children and these others as his enemies: and also that if God does not spare these who are ignorant, they must not think strange if he punishes them who have knowledge of his Law, and do not keep it. 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. Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice to them, shake the {b} hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
(b) That is, the Medes and Persians. I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness. I have commanded my {c} sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for my anger, even them that rejoice in my {d} highness.
(c) That is, prepared and appointed to execute my judgments. (d) Who willingly go about to the work to which I appoint them, but how the wicked do this, read Isa 10:6. The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.
They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the {e} weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
(e) The army of the Medes and the Persians against Babylon. Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Wail {f} ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
(f) You Babylonians. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:
And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as {g} flames.
(g) The Babylonians anger and grief will be so much that their faces will burn as fire. 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 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.
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. For the {h} stars of heaven and its constellations shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
(h) They who are overcome will think that all the powers of heaven and earth are against them, Eze 32:7, Joe 3:15, Mt 24:29. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. And I will punish the {i} world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogance of the {k} proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
(i) He compares Babylon to the whole world because they so esteemed themselves by reason of their great empire. (k) He notes the principal vice, to which they are most given as are all that abound in wealth. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. I will make a {l} man more rare than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
(l) He notes the great slaughter that will be, seeing the enemy will neither for gold or silver spare a man's life as in Isa 13:17. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land. And {m} it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one to his own land.
(m) Meaning the power of Babylon with their hired soldiers. Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword. Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.
Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished. Their {n} children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be plundered, and their wives ravished.
(n) This was not accomplished when Cyrus took Babylon, but after the death of Alexander the great. Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
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. Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children.
And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the {o} Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
(o) Who used to go from country to country to find pasture for their beasts, but they will find none. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. But {p} wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
(p) Who were either wild beasts or fools, or wicked spirits, by which Satan deluded man, as by the fairies, goblins, and such like fantasies. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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