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.
Isaiah 13:2 nkjv
"Lift up a banner on the high mountain, Raise your voice to them; Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles.
Isaiah 13:2 niv
Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles.
Isaiah 13:2 esv
On a bare hill raise a signal; cry aloud to them; wave the hand for them to enter the gates of the nobles.
Isaiah 13:2 nlt
"Raise a signal flag on a bare hilltop.
Call up an army against Babylon.
Wave your hand to encourage them
as they march into the palaces of the high and mighty.
Isaiah 13 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 13:1 | The burden against Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw. | Burden against Babylon |
| Isaiah 21:1 | The burden against the wilderness of the sea. | Related prophecy |
| Jeremiah 50:2 | Declare ye among the nations, and publish... | Announcing judgment |
| Jeremiah 51:11 | Make bright the arrows; gather the shields... | Preparing for destruction |
| Jeremiah 51:46 | And lest their heart fail, and they fear for the rumor... | Effect of the decree |
| Daniel 4:17 | by the decree of the watchers, and by the sentence of the holy ones... | Divine decree |
| Daniel 5:26 | PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. | Prophecy fulfillment |
| Nahum 1:1 | The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. | Similar prophecy |
| Nahum 3:5 | Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts... | Judgment against a city |
| Habakkuk 2:6 | Woe unto him that increaseth that which is not his own!... | Judgment on oppressors |
| Zephaniah 2:15 | This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me... | Babylon's arrogance |
| Revelation 14:8 | And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen... | New Testament echo |
| Revelation 17:5 | And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. | Symbolic Babylon |
| Revelation 18:2 | And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen... | Repetition of judgment |
| Isaiah 41:14 | Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD... | God's intervention |
| Isaiah 45:1 | Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden... | Cyrus's role |
| Psalm 110:1 | The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. | Divine sovereignty |
| Proverbs 16:4 | The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. | Divine purpose |
| Ezekiel 38:14 | Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say... | Prophecy against a nation |
| 1 Corinthians 10:20 | But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. | Idolatry and judgment |
| John 10:10 | The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy... | Evil's purpose |
Isaiah 13 verses
Isaiah 13 2 Meaning
This verse introduces a prophecy concerning the land of Babylon. It signifies an elevated command or a public decree announcing judgment against Babylon. The phrase "upon an high mountain" suggests a visible and authoritative declaration that would be heard by many, signaling the coming downfall.
Isaiah 13 2 Context
Isaiah chapter 13 serves as a prophetic oracle against Babylon. It details the divine judgment that will befall this powerful empire due to its pride and wickedness. The prophecy speaks of a future invasion and the complete devastation of the city. This was significant for the original audience, the people of Judah, who had experienced Babylonian captivity and oppression. The prophecy offered a message of hope and vindication for them, assuring them that their oppressor would ultimately be judged by God. The imagery used emphasizes the comprehensive and irreversible nature of the destruction.
Isaiah 13 2 Word Analysis
- lemofia (le·mo·fiy·a): "Lift ye up"
- le (le): "to" or "unto." A preposition indicating direction or purpose.
- mofia (mo·fiy·a): Imperative plural form of the verb nus (נוּס), meaning "to flee" or "to rise up," here interpreted as "lift up." In this context, it implies an active raising or uplifting, like raising a standard or a voice.
- hama`ar (ha·ma·`ar): "banner" or "signal pole"
- A standard or flag, often used to gather armies or signal important messages. In this prophetic context, it signifies a visible proclamation or announcement of divine action and judgment.
- biysod (bi·yad): "upon a high place"
- bi (bi): "in" or "upon."
- yod (yod): Often translates to "hand," but here it's part of a construct relating to location. The "high place" is understood as a mountain or elevated terrain.
- gimna`u|
The phrase "the lion" in other contexts within Isaiah may refer to Israel or Judah as being preyed upon by greater empires (Isa 38:13). However, here, with the imagery of a "high mountain" and a banner, it most strongly suggests the approaching conquerors, like the Medes and Persians, poised for destruction. The ancient city of Babylon was strategically situated on a fertile plain, but the prophetic call indicates a command from a dominant, higher position overlooking the impending doom.
The historical context of Isaiah was a period of rising empires, particularly Assyria and later Babylon, which posed significant threats to the kingdom of Judah. The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar eventually conquered Judah, destroying Jerusalem and its temple. This prophecy would have been understood by Isaiah's audience as a divine promise of judgment against their oppressor.
Scholarly consensus highlights that Isaiah 13-23 contains a series of "burdens" or oracles against various nations, including Babylon. The vivid imagery of destruction in this chapter aligns with historical accounts of the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians in 539 BC.
Isaiah 13 2 Bonus Section
The metaphor of a "banner" is also used in Scripture to represent God's protection and presence, as in "You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth" (Psalm 60:4). However, in the context of Isaiah 13:2, the banner is clearly one of judgment and warning, a sign for nations to assemble for war against Babylon. This highlights the duality of divine signals – they can be for salvation and gathering, or for judgment and dispersion, depending on the context and God's purpose.
Isaiah 13 2 Commentary
This verse announces a prophecy against Babylon, a prominent enemy of Judah. The command to "lift ye up a banner upon a high mountain" signifies a public and authoritative declaration of impending doom. This imagery suggests that the judgment upon Babylon will be evident and undeniable, proclaimed from a prominent, elevated vantage point. The prophecy outlines the devastation that will befall the city, a direct consequence of its actions and perceived pride. It reflects God's ultimate sovereignty over nations and His plan to judge those who act in defiance of Him. For the people of Judah, this prophecy would have served as a source of encouragement, assuring them that their powerful oppressor would eventually face divine retribution.